Quinny Flies Away with a Win
Posted: 2 July, 2008
| Langwarrin | 1 | — | 0 | Spingvale White Eagles |
| B.Ovcin | ||||
Round 13: Langwarrin v Springvale White Eagles — 28 June, 2008
There was another reason that the 400 hundred strong crowd were rather anxious as they turned out for the game last Saturday. Not only was it a must-win game for Langy, but it was also to be the final game of club captain Quinny's season. A Langy stalwart, It's Quinn's strong tackling and his long ball up to the strikers that have made him a permanent fixture in Langwarrin's starting eleven, so the faithful would accept nothing less than a win to send thier boy off on his next adventure.
The opposition was to be Springvale White Eagles, another cellar-dweller that has made numerous signings in a bid to turn there season around. To do so, they would need to overcome Jonesy in goals with Bres, Quinny and Libba protecting him. Splashed across the midfield were Sodder, Pooley, Cam, Boris and Shane leaving Karl and Caleb with the goal scoring duties. On the bench were Cullen, Tommy, Jamie and Skelly.
The last few results have come from strong defensive performances, so it was now time that we hit the back of the net, and that, we almost did straight from the kick-off. After some lovely one-two's between Caleb and Boris the ball ended up at Sodder's feet wide on the left. He took a touch and played a dangerous low cross intended for the awaiting Caleb on the 6 yard box, but the ball was cleared by a defender for a throw-in. A long throw by Sodder to the near post was flicked over the keeper to Boris who had the ball taken off his toe just as he was about to finish into an open net.
Next it was Springvale's turn to venture forward. Another long throw on to the edge of Langy's 18 yard box was brought down by a White Eagles striker, who laid the ball off for his midfielder to hit a vicious left foot shot that narrowly missed the near post. A close call for Langy, though Jonesy probably had it covered.
Though it was the blue's that came even closer to breaking the deadlock just moments later. A beautiful cross from Shane on the right wing found Boris at the back post who bought it down brilliantly with his chest but once again had it taken off him at the last moment. It was more fine play from an adventurous Langy side that was great to watch. Everyone on the sidelines could feel that the goal was coming; it was only a matter of time.
And so it did. Bres found the ball wide on the left wing, looking like he was going to cross it he instead played it down the line to Karl. The Englishman looked up and hit an awesome cross with the outside of his right boot to an on-coming Cam. His volley was parried away by the keeper, though only to the feet of Boris who had been causing havoc all game. The new Langy player hit it first time, his left foot rocket hitting the back of the net and putting Langy in the lead.
But that wasn't the end of an eventful first half. There was still time for the White Eagles to go forward in search of an equaliser. This time the ball was rolled across the 18 yard box and hit on the half volley with both power and accuracy. The ball was heading for the top corner, only for Jonesy to pull off one of the saves of the season, pouncing to his left and snatching the ball out of the air. That closed the first 45 minutes, giving the crowd a well needed break as Gus went about doing what he had to do to get the boys over the line.
The second 45 commenced with Jamie and Tommy taking to the pitch for Caleb and Pooley which again almost paid dividends straight away. Another long throw was once again flicked on by Karl to Cam who hit a first time volley. Once more the keeper got down low to save it, this time the ball being cleared before any Langy player could get to it.
This gave the home side yet more encouragement as they tried to finish the contest. A deep corner from Boris found a completely unmarked Jamie at the back post, though his powerful header was straight at the goal keeper. The faithful kept cheering as this was the first time this season that Langy was totally dominant at home, a reminder of past years. It was becoming the perfect sending of for our captain, though he had hardly touched the ball all game that being how good Langy was playing.
The Quinny's final game was somewhat dampened by the sending off of Sodder. A strong tackle by the midfielder was harshly penalised by the ref. Obviously something was said or done that wasn't seen by the faithful as the next thing that happened was the red card being brought out, giving Sodder his marching orders.
But the final whistle was still greeted with a resounding roar from the crowd as Langy finally won at home. If the boys can continue this from then things are looking far more promising in their quest to climb the table, including next week's game away to St. Albans. Though things will be much more difficult without Quinny. After over 150 games we now lose our leader, someone who will be sorely missed both on and off the pitch. So from everyone at the club, good luck and cheers!
Team: Jones, Quinn, Breslin, Rasimi, Tagliaferro, Leopold, Ovcin (Cullen 85), Cochrane, Nicholes (O'Donoghue 69), O'Donnell (sent off 81) Poole (Ahmadzai 69).
Unused Sub: Skelly, Shippers
