Langy Win First Game Of The Season

Posted: 22 April, 2010

Round 2: Fawkner Blues v Langwarrin – 18 April, 2010

The sun was shining and the day warm for the second match of the season. Played on a Sunday on Fawkner Blues' home ground, the Langwarrin boys were rewarded 3 points for their tremendous efforts in securing a victory against the boys in blue at 3:0.

The team played in a 4 4 2 formation – again a change from the week before. Jonsey as always was in goals with Reha, Danny, Ray and Ben Cullen in defence. Across the middle were Buzza, Mladen, Chris Driver and Simon, while Caleb and Matty played upfront. Caff, Kristian and Boris were on the bench. The team had to do without Quinny, Junior, Jo and Carl, (who made an impressive return in the Reserves) as all four are currently injured.

From the moment the whistle blew, Fawkner was hungry – and quick. So too were the Langwarrin boys and from the beginning both teams mounted attacks by placing precise passes to one another.

It took 5 minutes for Langwarrin to assert their dominance. Mladen, looking for Caleb sent a solid ball right into the centre of the box but the ball was met by the head of a Fawkner defender. The subsequent header was poorly executed and Caleb managed to bring the ball down and send it flying into the goals for a 1:0 lead.

Fawkner appeared agitated after the goal and became ruthless in their attacks. They rivalled Langwarrin’s passing with some nifty moves of their own keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats. A few quick passes in the box and a shot on goal minutes later had Jonsey on his toes delivering a save with brilliant reaction time.

Jonsey played the ball out to Ray, who displayed some lovely footwork on the wing beating two strikers to deliver the ball to Matty, who then played it into the centre of the box. Unfortunately the ball was met and cleared out by a Fawkner defender. It was clear the boys wanted a second goal, but they played with their wits about them looking to pass to one another rather than just sending the ball long.

A corner for Langwarrin turned into a speedy attack for Fawkner – who proved to be quick on the break throughout the match. Ray, however, was quicker and managed to put the pressure on. His hard work forced an error in the subsequent pass with the striker sending the ball too long and out for a Langwarrin goal kick.

The 36th minute brought the second goal of the game with Caleb taking control of the ball deep in the park. Keeping it central, he passed it up to Matty. Matty followed Caleb’s lead and pushed it further up the middle to Simon. The Fawkner keeper ran out to meet the ball, but his run was poorly timed. With the goal completely open and un-manned, Simon put his foot under the ball and sent a clean lob through the air straight over the keeper and into the goals for a 2:0 lead.

Minutes later it was Langwarrin’s throw in. Taken by Ray, it was delivered to Caleb. Before he could move, a Fawkner defender slid and stole the ball from under his feet producing a second throw-in for the boys. Simon took control and placed a long throw deep into the centre of the box. Caleb went down, but Matty remained upright to send a rapid ball along the ground and into the goals for a 3:0 lead in the 41st minute.

It was Simon again right before the end of the second half utilising a free kick from the side of the box to place a beautiful ball right across the goal. Mladen was waiting on the right and ready for it. He placed a quick, short header but, unfortunately, missed the goals by inches. The end of the half came soon after and the boys walked off the pitch confidently, with their 3:0 lead.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw the ball remain in Fawkner’s attacking half. Jonsey was on fire making saves off corners and free kicks - anything the Fawkner strikers threw at him. The ball made its way to Langwarrin’s attacking half only once before it was taken straight back.

By the 52nd minute the boys were just keeping it together – their calm gone and frantic defending taking its place. Jonsey was thankfully on his toes and it was his quality saves that kept the sheet clean for Langwarrin.

A corner for Fawkner saw Jonsey come to the rescue yet again. As he ran out to meet the ball, Luka for Fawkner ran in simultaneously, slamming all his body weight into him. Jonsey hit the ground and stayed down as the Langwarrin physio ran out to assess the damage. The game was delayed for a short while and tempers flared as the boys responded angrily to seeing their keeper on the ground.

Jonsey attempted to continue playing but minutes later he signalled to come off and was replaced by Nick. The delay in play meant both sides struggled to regain their momentum.

With 20 minutes to go, a handball by Fawkner awarded Langwarrin a free-kick right outside the box. The crowd waited in anticipation as Caleb prepared to run up. Unfortunately the resulting kick sent the ball over the goals.

Fawkner almost ruined Langwarrin’s clean sheet minutes later with a free kick of their own. Placed beautifully, it sailed through the air from the left side of the goal to the right and bounced off the top bar at the last second.

Apparently, the Fawkner defence were feeling the pressure and when they played the ball back to the keeper in the 65th minute, it passed straight by him and continued its journey toward the goal. The keeper frantically ran back and cleared it out in a nick of time.

Boris and Caff came on in exchange for Mladen and Buzza. The fresh set of legs worked to deliver more opportunities with Boris enjoying a shot on goal and Caff winning throw-ins and corners.

With 5 minutes to go, Langwarrin began to relax and produced some of the impeccable passing they exhibited in the first half. The boys in defence did not disappoint with Danny and Ben Cullen working hard to the last second to win the ball then feed it back into the midfield.

Fawkner began the game calm but ended up angrily pushing the Langwarrin players around in their frustration. Thankfully the referee blew the whistle before things could really take a turn for the worse and the score remained 3:0 for Langwarrin.

It was a pleasure witnessing the remarkable improvement made by Langwarrin in only one week. Hopefully the next round is just as entertaining and we are treated to football of this calibre for the remainder of the season.

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