RESSIES Despite their position on the table, Manly Vale proved to be a decent team in our first game, so we knew we had to lift again on the weekend. We started the game very well, creating lots of chances, every working hard across the park. Our two goals were hit from the tightest of angles with superb finishes from Deano and Connor. We went into halftime strong 2-0 up.
Second half wow, this was where we really turned it on! We shut down any ball in the middle through Falcs, Matty and Danny G and our defence was rock solid with Jase, Dyl, Matty and Miles all so strong in every contest. Some of the goals too – amazing! Jases effort from outside the box, Pascals perfect finishing to get 2 and Connors brace after some fancy footwork. The goal of the game and contender for goal of the season has to go to Matty Oliver through, such a sweet hit on the volley outside the box!
Last weekend’s game showed just how a good a team we are. A great balance of strong defence, control and creativity in our mids and the ability to finish attacks clinically. Hitting this form at this stage is perfect timing with only 4 games to go, let’s finish strong now!
FIRSTS Saturday’s game against 7th placed Manly Vale was genuinely a horrible game of football for everyone involved. Having to build a line-up without a recognisable striker was challenging and unfortunately, we made a key mistake in changing our solid defensive structure, which proved to be our undoing. Manly Vale started bright and had us on the back foot early in the game. A very neat chip from their striker gave them the opening goal in the 15th minute. We took a created a number of chances, however, lacked to composure to put any shots clean on target. A second goal from Vale’s right side attack 5 minutes before the end of the half, was a massive blow to the team.
We shifted the formation at half time, moving to a 3-5-2, and we started a lot brighter in the second half. Loading the midfield, we pushed Vale back into their own half, creating several chances in the process. However, we were hit on the counter 20 minutes in, and a clinical finish from the Vale striker, left us with a massive uphill battle. A misplaced pass gave Vale another opening and they finished off a fourth goal. Not willing to let the game whimper to a close, we continued to push and eventually, Javed swung in a decent corner ball which Isaak headed into the bottom right-corner of the net.
It was a day where nothing we did, seemed to work. We were outplayed on the day and, for the first time in a number of year, we didn’t deserve any points for our performance. This is our second 4-1 defeat of the season, and we’re now 4 points behind Forest on the ladder. We’re going to need to reassess our Striker situation and see what options we have. With four games to go, we need maximum points to stay in with an outside chance.
