FIRST GRADE MATCH REPORT

FIRST GRADE MATCH REPORT

Lane Cove West 2 v 5 Lindfield

Date: 15th April
Location: Home – Blackman Oval
Conditions: Warmish – light southerly

Scorers: Mark Sidall, Sebastian Van Der Meulen

Cards: Lawrence Goldstone

Team                                                                    Subs

1              Stefan Laux                                            12            Paul Mulvihill

2              Ronnie Thompson                                   13            Sebastian Van Der Meulen

3              Mark Sidall                                             14            Peter Byrne

4              Warren Coatsworth                                 15           

5              Kieron White                                          16           

6              Ian Wallis

7              Lawrence Goldstone

8              Anthony Krithinakis

9              Charles Whattam

10            Jason Ivanusic

11            Dave Fuller

First Half

A further weakened reds team missing three of their regular back 4 due to shopping trips amongst other excuses.  With Woz and the No.9 drafted in to fill the hole in front of Stefan and with the no.10 left to battle on his own up top ahead of a 5 mine midfield that saw Kez turn into Makelele for the day.

 

Lindfield were unrecognisable from the team that won 17 of 18 last season, and it was no surprise when the mighty reds got on the board early with the No.10 earning his crust by chasing down a lost cause to win the ball and cross for an unmarked Sidall to bundle the ball into an empty net.  Was this to be the turn of fortune that the reds so desperately needed?

 

Lindfield started to push forward and with 2 pretty agile strikers running the new backline from pillar to post, it was no surprise when they drew level, although it was disappointing to give away a soft penalty when the lump of a number 7 decided to back Woz up to the point of falling on top of him.  Stefan was easily beaten down to his right hand side.

 

The reds defence continued to be bombarded and despite Ronnie’s old head (well it is mate) and Kez’s protection it wasn’t long before Lindfield took the lead.  Another dubious penalty from which looked worse than it was as Lawrence battled for position at the back post only to see his opposite number emulate John Holmes by hungrily going down in the box.  Despite animated complaints to the referee from the Right Said Fred reject, who was carded, and an irate Stefan, a penalty was awarded and Stefan was easily beaten down to his right hand side, again.

 

Would the reds join together in adversity or fall apart, the 3rd Lindfield goal suggests the latter option was take.

 

The half time team talk consisted of abuse and finger pointing, which was required to a certain degree, as the reds season hung by a thread.  Coach Mulv, tried to fire the boys up, but knew with the lack of personnel on duty this week, his options were very limited.

 

 

Second Half

The reds started off with fire in their bellies and started to construct numerous passages of play which looked promising but came to nothing as the Lindfield back line had very quickly realised that the No.10 was playing Han Solo up top.

 

Tackles continued to fly in as the reds decided to revert to type and get physical.  Stefan pulled off “the best save of the season Ja?” from a beautifully curled free kick that was arguably going high and wide (only joking).

 

The continuous battering of the Lindfield midfield and forward line brought about another freakish error in the back line leaving their striker clear to slot the ball home, 4-1 and spirits were broken.

 

The best move of the match saw Lindfield hit number 5, their right winger did Dave for pace and hit a perfect cross on to the big No.7 who buried a diving header to rapturous applause from the Blackman crowd.

 

Mulv finally resorted to 4 4 2 by bringing Seb on and freshening up the team with Peter and himself.  The reds showed their true spirit by scoring the final goal as the No.10 who received all the plaudit for a bitch of a task up top on his own, set up Seb who calmly slotted home from 18 yards.

 

On the final whistle the fingers started to come out again, which showed the passion in the squad and the desire to stop the rot next week.. 

 

There is no doubt that this team has some ability, but it must resort to type and get hard in the tackle and get the ball up top sooner rather than later.  The reds have yet to be dominated, but have only shown glimpses of the ability that we all know exists.

 

After another tough training session, all we can say is bring on BOBS who will feel the full force of the reds as they go in search of their first win of the season.