Today we came into the game revved up after the Hardboard coach did a Mike Tyson and ripped the refs ear off in the last game. We were shorter in numbers than usual but not in confidence.
We started the game off well with some great passing and hold up play in the defence and midfield. Doug’s, Isaiah and Javed were finding lots of space and we were peppering through balls in to Jez and Conor up front. Mooks took a great chance on the outside of the box but it fell just wide. Then, the highlight of the game, when Jono Grew beat a player after the ball came out from a corner kick, before channeling his inner Pirlo to strike the ball, unfortunate to miss just wide of the post. Late in the first half, Jeremy took a great ball from a goal kick and flicked it through to Conor, however just like the Warriors, Conor choked and the ball sailed just over the bar. At the end of the half, the boys began to start feeling a bit down, as we had so much possession but none of our chances were coming to fruition.
At half time we decided to keep playing with confidence, and that’s what we did with chances from Isaiah and I hitting the post and bar early in the second half. However, Harbord, with basically their only chance of the game, snuck in a goal off a deflected corner kick to make it 1-0. However we knew we were better than this team and we continued to pressure them up front. Sheldon making great runs all game putting in great balls that were either just wide or offside.
Our moment finally came with 20 minutes to play, when Jez channeled his inner Kung Fu Panda and lashed the ball on the half volley into the bottom right corner. The Harbord heads were down and our relentless pressure continued. The midfield continued to run riot and our goalkeeper may as well have taken a nap at this stage. The winner came through when Doug’s held up the ball on the opponents box, before #trustingtheprocess and setting up the finish into the bottom left corner for Conor. 🎉
We continued to dominate late in the game, with the defence making some clutch plays at the end. As Harbord pushed forward, spaces opened up in their defensive line which created an opening for Isaiah, who was unlucky not to put away a goal on the counter attack, chipping the keeper but placing the ball just wide. The final whistle blew, and we deservedly took the win and remained top of the table.
