An early scare turns into a great performance
Posted: 5 June, 2008
| Langwarrin | 3 | — | 1 | Keilor Park |
| A.Ahmadzai B.Caffrey A.Famularo |
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Round 9: Langwarrin v Keilor Park — 31 May, 2008
Good to be back once again at fortress Lawton Park on a bright clear day. A lot of excitement in the air as a fair sized crowd turn out for this 2nd verses 3rd match.
The line up today is: Sean Skelly: Back line: Scud - Smithy - Libba. Midfield: Burgo - Famo - Adam - Kevin - Hayden - Peter and Ben up front.
On the bench: Brenton Smith (Welcome back from injury) - Alex Mackie - James Cullen - Liam George and Daniel Biondo.
Missing from action: Mitchell Blake
What a start, the game only 90 seconds old when, what looked like an ordinary ball down the middle from Keilor caught everyone in two minds. Who’s ball? Who wants it? Too late! Caught dead cold! as Sean’s headed back-pass seemed to hang between defender and keeper. The two Sean’s stood bewildered as the Keilor striker turned after rolling the ball into an empty net, jubilant he could hardly believe his luck.
One down! This start certainly was not going according to plan. “Come on Langy”!
The response was very quick from our lads as we swept into attack time and again. Although we were creating chances the final pass or shot was not quite there. Ben did his usual, hold, turn and shoot only to see several attempts saved by the keeper or go just wide. Peter, like wise with a couple of narrow misses. Finally our pressure paid off in spectacular style. Hayden raided down the left flank and crossed deep to the far post where Ben rose with a defender, the ball came back out to the edge of the box where the ever-alert Adam was ready to pounce. Adam had made up his mind what was required. A right foot volley blasted into the net. Goalkeeper had no chance stopping this one. What a strike! Top shelf.
1 - 1 The machine starts rolling again and the familiar pattern returns to our game. Keilor continued to battle hard and got close on a few occasions, particularly with their big, experienced central striker who was causing concern. A great save by Sean Skelly from him raised our spirits. Both Hayden and Famo were now penetrating down the wings with good service from Burgo, Kevin and Adam and we soon got our noses in front. Fam found himself on the right hand side of the box and delivered a well placed cross to Ben at the back post who executed a clinical header straight into the net. Quality finish! 2 - 1 up.
The half time whistle was not far away when a quick Keilor attack down the right wing almost caught us napping. Sean Skelly had it covered, as the ball flew just wide of the upright, but it was very close indeed! To finish the half in a positive way, Famo let fly with a cracker of a volley which the Keilor keeper did very well to not only stop, but also hold. 2 - 1 at the break. The over the fence mob where pretty happy with the result so far but hoping for a more dominant second period.
Second half commenced with Brenton coming on for Libba (Stepped up to the seniors later in the day). Good to see the big fella back after a troublesome groin injury. We were soon on the attack again with Burgo supplying a quality cross-field pass to Kevin, who found himself 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. The keeper did very well to close the gap and save Kevin’s drive on goal.
Our quality and intensity of play had noticeably increased in this second half and a particular build up was wonderful to watch. Burgo won a good challenge, left middle of the park; his 20 meter left foot diagonal pass found Kevin on the move. A little chip down the flank to Hayden, back to Kevin, switch cross field to Famo and Whamo! Another near thing! Great to watch lads. Applause from the supporters.
Ben does some fancy close ball control out on the left side, holds off two defenders and slips it inside to Kevin. His first touch takes him past the first defender, draws number two and glides past him. Goal on! Left foot thunders towards the net only to see the keeper make another fine save.
Peter does like wise soon after and is thwarted once again by the young Keilor keeper who is having a great game. Route one this time set us up for another attempt on goal. Brenton’s goal kick lands over the halfway line and is nodded on by Ben to Kevin on the run once again. First time effort just misses. Three touches and not one Keilor challenge. Magic! It was only a matter of time surely before the next goal was on the board! Famo was having a great game out wide on the right and whipped over a yet another cross, Kevin rushed in and again the keeper made another very good save. It was just not going to be Kevin’s day today. Liam came on to replace Peter up front and soon found himself in a big challenge chasing a bouncing ball deep into the penalty area with a defender close at his back and an on rushing goalkeeper. Liam bravely kept his eye on the ball and jumped for the header. He managed to get his head to it but couldn’t quite get enough power on the ball and saw a desperate defender clear away from the goal area. Great effort that!
The killer goal was supplied by Hayden who crossed a neat ball into the penalty area for the ever dangerous Famo to place a well taken header past the hapless Keilor goalie into the net for number 3. To finish off a great day, a well-worked short corner between Famo and Hayden onto Kevin, who in turn provided a lovely chipped ball over the top to the on-rushing Scud. The header went just over the top once again! This was the last real attack of the game and the whistle ended a thoroughly entertaining afternoon.
The final score, Langy, worthy winners by 3 goals to 1. The score was very flattering to our opponents as we were clearly far superior than just a two-goal difference. The machine continues to roll on and once again, back to winning ways for the young blokes. Top effort.
Cheers again from the Man Over the Fence.
My 1-2-3: Famo - Pete - Burgo
Team: Skelly, Rasimi (B.Smith 46), S.Smith, Hodgson, Famularo, Shippers, Burgess, McAlister, Ahmadzai, Ferguson (George 75), Caffrey
Unused Sub: Thomas, Cullen, Biondo, Mackie
