Keilor Park to Good On The Day
Posted: 29 August, 2008
| Keilor Park | 3 | — | 1 | Langwarrin |
| D.Biondo | ||||
Round 20: Keilor Park v Langwarrin — 23 August, 2008
Another long haul up the freeway to watch the lads do battle with a close rival. Today's team has another few changes: Sean Skelly returns in goal from injury. Backline: Matthew 'Scud' Hodgson (Back from illness) – Sean Smith - Alex Mackie: Midfield: Hayden Shippers – Luke Burgess – Anthony Famalaro – Kevin McAlister (Back from injury) – Chris Neumann: Strikers: Peter Ferguson & Daniel Biondo. Bench: Mitch Blake - Dylan Kilner – Joe Iline – Nick Thomas. Out: Brenton Smith (Illness) - Ben Caffrey and Adam Ahmadzai with the seniors.
Although the day seemed bright enough, the threat of rain was in the air and we wondered how the pitch would stand up to a downpour, as it was not in the best condition. Thankfully, the wind was virtually zero which certainly helped on a bumpy, uneven surface.
Unfortunately the day did not start well and we conceded a goal within the first 4 minutes, a missed clearance and the Keilor striker tucked the ball away easily. 1 – 0
The lads responded reasonably well with everyone getting involved, however it was apparent that the older, more experienced Keilor players would certainly have a strong bearing on the outcome of this match.
This quartet of older players were in crucial positions all over the park, at the back, in midfield and up front. They quickly imposed themselves and started to dominate us, breaking down our attacks fairly easily and mounting strong counters that drew our midfielders out of position, leaving the last line of defenders stretched.
We pressed hard to get back on level terms with a terrific build up starting with Peter laying off a beautiful ball to Famo, his quick cross caught the opposition by surprise and Daniel hit his shot straight at the keeper. Unlucky!
Peter and Daniel were really taking the game up to them when Daniel received a yellow card for pushing the ball away after a free kick was given to Keilor. Peter followed soon after a trip on their left side defender. Both very petty decisions and not justified at all. Half time: 1 – 0
Second half was only a few minutes old when Sean, in goal produced a stunning save with his feet, diving one way, the ball went the other but somehow he kept it out. Super save!
The ref finally produced a yellow card for Keilor for a foul on Daniel. About time the # 16 got his penalty, as he had certainly been 'putting himself about'!
It was Sean once again who kept us in the game with another outstanding save. An unmarked striker right in front of goal, some 10 meters out meet a corner kick full on. Sean managed to push the ball away and we remained only one down.
At the 58 minute Peter made way for Mitch Blake. A good day's work, real effort with little luck.
On 62 minutes Keilor almost got number 2, had it not been for Sean again.! A terrific shot was goal bound from 22 meters when Sean stuck up a hand and pushed the ball up and over. What a save! From the resulting corner kick he produced yet another quality save.
We continued chipping away at them and soon got our reward after a build up down our right flank. The ball was struck across the Keilor box by Famo, Mitch got a touch on it, Kevin shot, his shot was blocked and the ball spun across the goal mouth. Daniel was alert and chased after the ball and hooked it neatly, left footed past the oncoming goalie. 1 – 1 A real goal poacher's goal, terrific anticipation!
Joe came on at the 75minute mark for Chris; he had battled hard all day, as we pushed after the winner.
However, it was Keilor that got in front. Their striker literally danced his way through 3 or 4 of our players close to the penalty box, drew Sean out and tucked the pill away for number 2. It was a total surprise that he got through so many of us with such ease.
Dylan entered the fray on the 80th minute for Kevin who had done very well considering his absence for some weeks with injury.
The third Keilor goal came from a raid down the right side; a cross was put away on the second attempt! As our defense was nowhere to be found. 3 - 1
The young boys who had come on are all under 18's and really showed determination, their work rate was excellent and they fought the game out until the final whistle. Well done, lads!
That was it for the day. We battled hard, never stopped trying and ran the game out till the end. But, alas it was not our best display of the year. Simply, beaten by a better team. Heads up lads. There's always next week!
Cheers from the Man Over the Fence – See you all at Kingston on Friday night.
Team: Skelly, S.Smith, Hodgson, Mackie, Famularo, Burgess, Nuemann (Iline 75), Shippers, McAlister (Kilner 80), Biondo, Ferguson (Blake 58)
Unused Sub: Thomas
