Langy Suffer Royal Punishment
Posted: 4 August, 2008
| Langwarrin | 0 | — | 2 | Bullen Royals |
Round 19: Langwarrin v Bullen Royals — 9 August, 2008
Good to be back at home after stepping out of the lions den at Dandy in one piece. Today’s opposition: Bulleen Royals, a quality side fighting for promotion.
As has been the case when our boys have played well this season the luck just wasn’t there last week. We were all hoping that was set to change.
To the squads then. In defence: Sweeper Ben Caffrey, with Shane and Cullen picking up. Midfield: Caleb, Pooley, Cam, Tommy and Adam. Leaving Jamie ‘Gooner’ O and the dangerous (ask some Dandy players) Karl Cochrane up front.
The bench looked like: Powell, Burgo, Shippers and Ferguson for his first senior appearance following some good performances in the ressies.
With a healthy crowd brewing under a bright sky, away we went.
And it was Langy who came out and dominated. Just minutes in a gorgeous flick and run from Cam was followed by a superb through ball by Pooley that played through the still running midfielder. One touch and shot from Cam was heading in until a great save from the opposing keeper.
This set the tone for the rest of the half as Langy went about tearing apart the Royals, starting from the back all the way to the strikers. 20 minutes in that hard work was almost rewarded. A long throw from Tommy was flicked on by Karl to the edge of the 6 yard box. In came the Gooner, his first time volley hitting the crossbar and rolling towards the penalty spot, just begging to be hit. Adam answered, running in and unleashing a rocket, through all the defenders and past the keeper, but again into the crossbar. Unbelievable stuff, like the ball just didn’t want to go in.
Langy continued to play there opponents off the park, the royals not bothering Jonesy once, but at the break the deadlock still hadn’t been broken. 0-0 and Gus must have been cursing the football gods for his teams luck. Though his pep talk obviously went a long the lines of “more of the same, lads” because straight from the kick off our boys were at it again. Pooley to Cam, Cam to Caleb, some great work from the big man to turn away from 3 defenders and shoot. Unfortunately the keeper got down well to save.
Moments later the ball hit the back of the net. This time Tommy chipped it to Caleb who flicked it on to the corner where Gooner was waiting. The Englishman took a touch, looked up and delivered a great cross to the 6 yard box, Karl running in and finishing with the head. The faithful erupted but was quickly silenced by the ref who disallowed it for an infringement. If only some calls could go our way once in a while.
Finally in the 60th minute Jonesy was called in to action. The Royals at last ventured into their attacking half, a cross being met on the volley, the ball heading in until Jonesy pounced and beat it away. Well done big fella!
Minutes later we had yet another glorious opportunity. Cullen intercepted a through ball, looked up and played an outstanding long ball to Jamie. He took and ran at the defence, holding it up until Karl made a run beside him. The Gooner played it, Karl and the Keeper running at it; it looked like it was going to be a nasty collision but as long as Karl scored nothing else mattered. The Englishman got a toe on it but it was just wide. So close we could taste it.
From there, as has happened so many times this season, we were punished. A corner was swung in, a Royal striker rising above everybody else and heading in past Jonesy who could do little. 1-0 to them.
Another great save by Jonesy later on was followed by some Caffrey picking up the ball taking it past the halfway line every one waiting for him to start the nutmegs. Instead he played a chipped through ball that was straight out of the top draw, Karl running on to it and volleying first time. It was just over but it was still a highlight of the day as the Royals wondered what had just happened.
Moments later the game was killed off. Jonesy once again saved from a one-on-one, though this time the follow up was put in by a midfielder running through. 2-0.
So on came Pete, Gus hoping one of his freakish shots or toe pokes would find a consolation. It almost did. A great run was found by Pooley, the ball bouncing in front of the Scotsman who was holding 3 players off. But just as he was to pull the trigger, he was muscled off the ball. Unlucky mate.
So that was it, 2-0 to them, and once again the opposition didn’t deserve the points. But that’s just the way it goes. A week off next week and then we’re off to Keilor Park. Let’s see as many of the faithful as possible.
Team: Jones, Caffrey, Cullen, Tagliaferro, Leopold, Poole, T Ahmadzai, A Ahmadzai, Cochrane, O’Donoghue (Ferguson 76), Nicholes,
Unused Subs: Powell, Shippers, Burgess
