With the coach away, the boys shall play
Posted: 21 May, 2008
| Langwarrin | 4 | — | 2 | Dandy Thunder |
| M.Blake (2) M.Hodgson A.Ahmadzhi |
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Round 7: Langwarrin v Dandenong Thunder — 17 May, 2008
Good to be back home at fortress Lawton Park. A pretty ordinary day weather wise, cold, heavy skies and a wet pitch greeted our boys as they played hosts to Dandy Thunder. Once again we had to shuffle the pack as injuries and call up's to the seniors necessitated changes.
Our starting line up at the back was the same as last week. Sean (Safe Hands) Skelly – Matthew (Scud) Hodgson, Sean Smith and Alex Mackie. Midfield of Hayden Shippers, Luke (Burgo) Burgess, Adam Ahmadzhi, Liam (Chumby) George and Anthony (Famo) Famularo. Up-front the goal machines, Peter Ferguson and Mitchell Blake.
We, over the fence were hoping that there were no first half blues carried over from last week's game. There was no need for concerns as the boys went straight into top gear from the first whistle.
It was clearly evident that Dandy Thunder was going to have a torrid Saturday afternoon as Peter sent a super through ball inside the full back for Hayden to hit his shot narrowly wide. We had a scare at the other end when a Thunder corner managed to find its way through a pack of players along the 6 yard box only to hit Alex on the knee and rebound into the save hands of Sean Skelly. Another good attack by Famo resulted in said player being fouled just outside the box and with the free kick Hayden went close.
Although the Thunder kept working hard our machine took control and Hayden provided another quality run and cross from the left flank into the danger zone were that man Mitchell, once again coolly dispatched his header into the net. Magic!
Soon after; it was Famo's turn to raid down the right side and provide another quality cross for Mitchell. Unfortunately, this time, just missed. Good effort.
Our second goal came from an Alex Mackie's free kick from the left side, on the half way line to Liam George who side foot volleyed a perfectly weighted pass into space behind the line of defenders were Mitch ran on to and crashed it home. What a finish by Mitch and what superb technique by Liam. Silky, simple and devastating for the defenders.
To show just how high our confidence was, a Thunder attack was broken up in our left back position, the area was very tight, but five one touch passes between Sean, Adam, Burgo and Hayden saw us move the ball into the oppositions half. It happened so quick and with such precision that you couldn't help but clap in appreciation. What football! Superb stuff!
Langy continued to dominate the rest of the first half and the Thunder was happy to hear the whistle to end their miserable first 45 minutes. The second half started in bizarre fashion. You would not Adam & Eve It! Straight from the kick off, three passes later and the Thunder had the ball in our net. I think the lad's heads were still in the dressing room as we just watched in disbelief. OOOPPPs! 2-1
This lapse of concentration shook them up and the machine got rolling once again. Liam once again provided the killer ball for Hayden, only to see his goal bound shot blocked and cleared.
For a short spell the ball was hardly out of the Thunder half and whether it was a corner or a free kick, Scud seemed to be on the end of them only to see the ball, cleared or running just wide of the goal. However Scud's persistence finally paid off as he scrambled a header home from close range after the ball was pinning around the goal mouth.
Now 3-1 up and looking safe, young Nick Thomas came on for his first start between the sticks as Sean took a well-earned break. From the kick off, the Thunder this time took only two passes and the ball was in the back of our net again! You had to feel for Nick, he had only been on 30 seconds and he was picking the ball out of the net. A few embarrassed faces in front of him could only look at each other in total disbelief!… NOT AGAIN!
3-2. The Thunder sensed that there was a way back and came at us with all guns blazing. First sub of the day, Burgo made way for Daniel Biondo followed by James Cullen on for Mitchell. Instead of hitting the panic button the boys composed themselves and stood up to the pressure. Sean provided the killer punch. A well weighted through ball to Adam, who from the edge of the box placed his excellent shot inside the far post.
4-2. It was a relief to see Thunder kick off and not venture too far this time before we gained possession. This final goal finished off any real threat from the Thunder and the game was well and truly over. Although we won comfortably in the end, the score was flattering to our opponents such was our domination. Never the less, another good result for the lads as we maintained our unbeaten run.
My 1-2-3: Scud - Liam - Adam
From the Man over the Fence – Well done lads, see you all for a big one at Bulleen on Monday night.
Team: Skelly (Thomas 75), Smith, Mackie, Hodgson, Famularo, Shippers, Burgess (Biondo 80), Ahmadzhi, George, Ferguson, Blake (Cullen 82)
Unused Sub: Kilner
