Equal points shared in an entertaining match
Posted: 29 May, 2008
| Bullen Royals | 0 | — | 0 | Langwarrin |
Round 8: Bullen Royals v Langwarrin — 26 May, 2008
Another long haul up the freeway to Bulleen for the Langy faithful. Good to see such numbers to cheer on both teams under the floodlights at the Veneto park on a Monday night.
Once again a few changes to the line-up: Libba coming into the back line as Sean Smith was en-route from interstate and Kevin McAlister back in midfield. On the bench was Daniel Biondo, Liam George, James Cullen and Sean Smith (Later, straight from the airport).
The game opened at a furious pace with both teams going hard. The tackling was fearsome and no quarter was given by both sides. The first real concern was producted by the Royals from a free kick on the left-hand side of the park. A well-flighted ball into the danger area saw Sean Skelly punch clear under a great deal of pressure.
Soon after, a good build up down the left with Hayden cutting in and slipping a cross field ball in behind the defense to Peter Ferguson whose hurried shot across the goal went tantalizingly wide. Close call for the Royals!
The game continued to see saw for most of the first half with both sides trying to unlock stubborn defenses. Several Langy attempts on goal were oh so close. Burgo to Kevin to Hayden. Left foot blast from the edge of the penalty area&hellips; just over! A long ball from the back by Alex Mackie found Peter who dropped it off first time to the on coming Scud. Bang! A great volley. Again, just over! It certainly wasn't all one way traffic as the Royals had their opportunities as well. A good build up through the middle saw their number 6 hit a superb left foot half volley from 18 meters, only to see Sean, well positioned calmly gather the ball.
The ball seemed to alternate between one penalty area to the other as both teams tried to get that first all-important goal. Alex stopped a blistering Royals free kick from near the corner flag; unfortunately he took the full force in the guts. Play continued as Alex fought to stay upright. Tough stuff these Langy boys!
Another slick build up by Famo to Kevin, then onto Adam on the edge of the area. Smack! Just over. Great effort! Nearing the end of the first 45 minutes, the Royals pushed hard and received two corner kicks in quick succession. Both were cleared by some sterling defensive work from Burgo and Scud. Just before the break, Pete picked up a corked thigh from a mid-air challenge and we had concerns for his return. The half ended all square at 0 – 0.
The pace was on again from the whistle, as both sides tore into each other from the start of the second half. The Royals really had a dip at us and almost converted what was a quick counter attack from our corner kick. The move ended up with 3 attackers v 2 defenders and it looked a fore gone conclusion that this was about to be the first score of the night. We had been split wide open; just how they managed not to convert was beyond us. High, wide and not so handsome was the result. What a miss!
The ball was soon down the other end, with Peter flicking on to the running Mitchell who hit it first time. Again just over! To be fair the score could have 2 or 3 a piece by now, but the deadlock continued. Famo picked up an injury from a late one, but managed to shake it off and continued on.
Once again another free kick by the Royals was beaten away by the Langy defenders. There appeared to be a considerable amount of free kicks in all areas of the pitch awarded due to the competitiveness of the game. Alex was delivering some well weighted free kicks deep into their defensive third from our half of the park and this caused quiet a bit of panic from the Royal defenders; however, we just could not get that final touch to break the stalemate.
Sadly, a breakthrough did come, but at the wrong end. A high crossfield ball to the far post caught Libba in mid-air. Hand ball! The ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot! Libba also received a "yellow" to rub salt into the wound. The Over the Fence Mob thought that this was going to be the goal to win the points, as the game had been so closely balanced all night, the end result was going to be achieved by a mistake somewhere.
Strange how you can "will" something to happen, isn't it? (Silent words to the great “football god in the sky”).
Up stepped a confident penalty taker, a moment later, a broken young man turned away in disbelieve! Sean did not even have to make a save as the ball sailed over the top. It missed by a country mile (that's a kilometer for the young ones)! Game on Lads! Libba came off and Sean Smith (literally off the plane) entered the fray.
Back and forth, each team pressing for that elusive goal. The Royals shoot again from the left hand side&hellips; just wide! Time running out for both sides. Second sub of the night. Mitch takes a break, has run hard all night. Liam on. Burgo manages to haul in the left winger just on the edge of the box before he strikes across goal. Great tackle! But feels the after effects. Runs it off. Keep going lads is the rallying call!
Famo, fouled again! Wide on the right side. Hayden switches for the kick. Pete is almost on the end of it! Another free kick, Alex floats one in. This time Scud! Just over. Liam finds himself in the clear on the edge of the box, turns sharply and hits it first time&hellips; Yes!&hellips; No!&hellips; Just wide! Peter makes way for Daniel for the last few minutes as the battle continues.
Right on the final whistle the Royals throw one last effort at us. A "Hit and Hope" down the middle of the park found a striker. He almost stole it! Thankfully his lob went slowly, over the top. This was getting all too much for the faithful over the fence and when the final whistle went it was a blend of disappointment; we didn't snatch it and relief, that we got a point.
It could have gone either way, it was that close. Goals, yes if both sides had taken their chances 2 or 3 each may have been a fair result. But I reckon at the end of the day, we are happy with the one point. A great contest by both sides.
Once again. Well done to the coaches and players, a mighty effort from everyone. As a spectator, it's a pleasure to travel so far and be so rewarded watching you young blokes. Look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday at home against Keilor.
Cheers once again from The Man over the Fence.
My 1 - 2 - 3: Alex, Scud, Peter
Team: Skelly, Rasimi (S.Smith 60), Mackie, Hodgson, Famularo, Shippers, Burgess, McAlister, Ahmadzhi, Ferguson (Biondo 88), Blake (George 72).
Unused Sub: Thomas, Cullen
