Langy U21’s Strip The Zebras Of Points
Posted: 28 July, 2010
| Langwarrin | 3 | V | 2 | Whittlesea Zebras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.Vaughan M.Blake M.Andronicos |
||||
Round 15: Langwarrin v Whittlesea Zebras – 24 July, 2010
The Langy U21’s have produced another magnificent performance to put away a good Whittlesea Zebras outfit at Lawton Park on Saturday. The Zebras clawed their way back into the game twice before a late penalty saw Miron ‘the Golden Child’ Andronicos convert to make it 3-2 at the final whistle.
The young lads received the bittersweet news that their two defensive soldiers Brendan and Alex Van had been promoted to the senior squad for the rest of the season. It’s fantastic to see the two finally get their well deserved chance, but it left a big hole that needed to be filled if the U21’s were to continue their push for a title.
Somehow Nick Thomas managed to stay uninjured for more than a week, so he took his place in goals. Miron dropped back to sweeper so that he could still ‘feel close’ to Brendan, with Cal Davies coming in for Alex and Melbourne Uni Undergraduate Dylan Kilner keeping his spot in defence. Across the middle of the park were Caleb, Mark, Popa, Fammo and Nick Y. Mitch and Nihad took their places up front as usual.
It was shaping up to be a good contest between two attacking teams and the game didn’t disappoint. Just ten minutes in Mitch won a free kick on the edge of the box after his defender pulled him down. Up stepped Caleb, curling a sublime shot around the wall and into the bottom corner. Two quality goals in two weeks from the winger. 1-0 Langy.
After the goal Whittlesea began to push forward and would have equalised immediately if it wasn’t for the brilliant work by Miron, Dylan and Cal down back. All three kept their composure for as long as they could, but were eventually undone by some poor work in the middle by Fam. The midfielder lost the ball, leaving the boys down back vulnerable to the counter attack which the Zebras executed perfectly, playing it around Miron to the run of a striker who finished past Nick at the near post. 1-1.
Mitch had a good chance to retake the lead when Popa slipped him through, though the striker missed the target from a tight angle.
Just before the break a Zebras midfielder took down Miron with a studs up challenge to the ankle, effectively changing the course of the game. Suddenly tackles started flying in from everywhere, Mark and Popa especially throwing their weight around. Credit to the referee though who allowed the play to flow.
The Zebras had the final chance of the half when a free kick was swung in at the far post, though a Zebras player couldn’t direct his header on target.
Into the second half and the game continued to be a battle in the midfield. Both teams were laying heavy challenges all over the place, though there was nothing stupid so play continued.
On 60 minutes Caleb turned from goal scorer to provider when his quality cross found Mitch who delivered a pin point header past the keeper and into the back of the net. Great play from both players with Mitch continuing to bang in the goals every week.
With the lead came som changes as Popa made way for Brett Heskins and Nihad was subbed for U16’s player Matt.
But after 20 minutes of Whittlesea pushing and Langy keeping them at bay, the Zebras equalised for a second time. Miron mistimed his challenged and brought down his opponent with the ref having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Nick decided to shake the penalty takers hand instead of trying to kiss him ala Springvale White Eagles and the player responded with a well taken penalty that sent Nick the wrong way.
At 2-2 it looked as if the game was heading for the same outcome as the equivalent fixture earlier on in the year, though this time around there was to be late drama. The ref spotted a push on Mitch just before he was taken out by the keeper and for the second time in 10 minutes, he pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Miron, proving exactly why he is the Golden Child as he showed nerves of steel to send the keeper the wrong way and take the points for a Langy side that now goes into equal second on the ladder.
Team: Thomas, Andronicos, Kilner, Davies, Vaughn, Famularo, Szczesnowicz, Yott, Popa (Heskins 75), Kadaric, Blake (Moran 88)
Unused Subs: Goode, Jack
