Jones magic saves Langy season
Posted: 19 June, 2008
| Westgate | 0 | — | 0 | Langwarrin |
Round 11: Westgate v Langwarrin — 14 June, 2008
After what was possibly the worst month of luck and football in Langy history, the last few results have left the boys in blue languishing near the bottom of the table. The situation was starting to seem dire, even the word relegation has begun to surface among some in the club. So it was with all of this weighing down on the boys that the journey was made to Westgate, another side battling to remain in state league 1.
But for the many Langy supporters that made it down to Ardeer, it was a rather different starting eleven than usual that took to the field. We welcomed back inspirational keeper Jonesy, after missing the Kingston game through work commitments. He would once again be protected by a back three of Quinny, Ben Cullen and Libba (good to see Libba so close to his best after so many years out with injury). But in the midfield was where the changes had been made. New signing Boris was joined by his former Pines teammate Cameron Leopold at Langy this week. The two started with Karl Cochrane to ensure plenty of experience in the middle of the park. Dave Breslin and Shane Tagliaferro would be raiding down the wings and the goal scoring responsibilities were left to Caleb and Sodder up front. Tommy, Pooley, Jamie O and Sean Skelly made up the bench with Barry Tulloch sidelined through injury, yet more bad luck for Gus and the boys who would have to do without the skillful Scotsman.
So that's how the team looked on Saturday night in western suburbs. The pitch was awful, the whether cold and the lighting less than great, but it would have to do for a Langy side desperate to climb the table. And the opening 15 minutes was a showcase of what the midfield will be capable of for the rest of the season. After just two training sessions with his new club, Cameron slotted in with no hassles, just as Boris had done the week before. The two, joined by Karl, dictated play and certainly had the measure of their opponents. Some great passing in small spaces opened up space for Caleb who dummied a first time strike, took a touch and had a hit with his right boot. Unfortunately it was straight at the keeper, but the build up play was excellent.
Next it was Cameron's turn to have shot for Langy. Sodder received the ball wide on the right, turned his opponent inside out and curled a cross to the penalty area. The ball was cleared only as far as the awaiting Leopold who took a touch and let loose with a right foot fizzer from 25 yards. Sadly it was just over the bar, another let off for Westgate who were under siege.
This led to some rather unsavory tactics from the home side. A lot of shirt pulling and off the ball stuff began to creep into the game, all of which was either missed or ignored by the match official. But amongst all of this Davey Breslin went on one of his runs down the left, took it past two defenders and unleashed with his left boot. This brought back memories of a Warragul away stunner by Bres in the pre-season, a left foot rocket that just about broke the net. Unfortunately his radar was just off this time, the ball clearing everything and landing in the houses behind the park.
That proved to be the last piece of action from a more than encouraging first half. Jonesy had little to do thanks to a rock solid defence, the only threat coming from corners and set pieces which the three at the back handled superbly. The midfield dictated the play with countless runs by Bres and Tagliaferro, one of which saw young Shane take the ball on the right wing, cut in and go on a dizzying run past three Westgate boys, all of whom couldn't get near him. He was stopped just outside the box, but it was great to watch nevertheless. In addition to that, as always Caleb and Sodder made nuisances of themselves over and over again. So Gus certainly the happier of the two managers going into the break.
But after the interval the game started to change. Westgate came out and took the initiative, starting to push forward and cause Langy some problems. One such attack resulted in a shot from distance, low and hard, it bobbled along the patchy surface all the way into the safe hands of Jonesy. This was followed by another surge forward, this time it was knocked up the line to the Westgate winger who hit a dangerous ball into the penalty area which was heading towards two players in red before Quinny leaped into the air and cleared the danger.
The pressure that Langy was admirably coping with was eased somewhat by a dirty piece of play from one of the opposing players. A Westgate attack was cut down by an excellent piece of defending from Libba on the edge of the box. The ball landed to Boris, who turned and played it first time to Breslin. The Westgate midfielder who was miles behind the intelligent and skillful Ovcin saw the only way to beat him was play rough. He came through Boris with his elbow raised, connecting with the face of the Langy boy in a disgusting challenge. Quite rightly he was given his marching orders, leaving his team down a man with about 15 to go.
But as seen time and time again in football, sometimes it's much more difficult to play against ten than the full compliment of eleven. The red card once again sparked a series of counter attacks by the home side that now had nothing to lose. Though all of this was once again dealt with by the boys in blue, late heartbreak looked once again to be coming our way. An attack up the left wing from Westgate found their winger one on one with Quinny, who had not put a foot wrong all night. The Westgate boy cut in and then stumbled over the stationary Langy sweeper who could do little more but stare in disbelief as the ref pointed to the spot. It seemed like a very harsh decision and looked to be the dagger in the heart of Langy's season.
Up stepped the big number 13, ready to take the points and the glory for his side. He placed the ball on the spot, the goal at his leisure. Though it must have looked a much smaller target with the presence of the Jonesy there, referring to the keeper's incredible skill and reflexes of course. There was the sudden realisation amongst the crowd that this could possibly spell the end of Langwarrin's reign in State League 1, our whole season could be decided from 12 yards. So up he stepped, hitting the ball low and hard towards the bottom left-hand corner. The minority of the crowd began to cheer what looked to be a certain goal, until Jonesy came out of nowhere, his body extended, to pull off an unbelievable save right out of the top draw. This was greeted with rapturous applause from the Langy supporters, who were still cheering when the final whistle blew.
A valuable point and yet another fine away performance from a side that is far from relegated. Here's hoping that same form can be maintained next week against Southern Stars in what should be a cracking game. Let's have as many people as possible from the best support group in Victoria come down and cheer on the boys in another must win encounter.
Team: Jones, Quinn, Cullen, Rasimi, Tagliaferro, Leopold, Ovcin, Cochrane, Breslin, O'Donnell, Nicholes (Ahmadzai 65).
Best: Cullen, Tagliaferro, Jones
Unused Sub: Skelly, Poole, O'Donoghue
