LANE COVE WEST V
ASQUITH –
Team (
Kye
Dan Clive Richie
Dave F Tom Chitty Paul Jason
Tristan Mark
Subs:
Milce
Graeme
Nathan Mattock
Chris Edden
Gavin
Let me just say at the outset that I thought there was a
rule against self-incrimination….?
The Reds took the field looking to build upon a scrappy but
hard fought win last week. Up against
the league leaders, we were very interested in seeing just how good these
upstarts were. We got some inkling of
how they got to the top when before the game some of the boys were on the end
of a spray from the visitor’s manager for using one of their practice
balls. It didn’t let up all day….
First half
A fine display in the first 30 minutes saw the Reds composed
on the ball and working hard in defence to stop the opposition playing out from
the back. Kye huge boot in the breeze
continually had their back four turning and chasing and it was only luck that
didn’t see Tristan or Mark take advantage of one of these mistakes. Confidence was growing as the Reds realised
that the game was there for the taking.
A couple of mistaken chances by the Reds proved costly as
Asquith gradually won the midfield battle and from an unnecessarily-conceded
free kick, launched one into the box.
Poor man-marking and a poor call lead to their right-winger sneaking in
between a ball-watching defence and Kye to flick home a header. 1-0.
The Reds continued to give their all for the remainder of
the half and despite the score, we went off knowing
that we were still in it. The Reds knew
that greater communication and a more physical approach against this very young
team could lead to a climb up the ladder.
Second half
Asquith came out full of running and wisely kept the ball on
the deck to negate their lack of height and superior speed. Running uphill, the Reds were the slower to
shake the cobwebs formed at the interval.
It was a nice through ball from an increasingly dominant Asquith
midfield that saw Cachia isolated against a 4ft 15 year-old at the edge of
the18yard box. Having won the ball, he
proceeded to think he had too much time and lost possession only to commit a
reckless foul that was more clumsy than malicious. The Reds’ first yellow card was issued and
from an ensuing throw-in, Cachia couldn’t keep out of the action when a mix-up
with Kye led to the attempted back-header nestling in the back of the net. 2-0.
To the jeers of the caravan of Asquith supporters, the Reds trudged back
to half way and Cachia left the field with a hammy in as bad shape as his
ego.
The stuffing was knocked out of LCW and despite a flurry of
replacements (including the super-sub Melnick and Milcey), Asquith superior fitness and youth saw them
increasing their possession and composure on the ball. A raid down the right flank lead a nice
interchange of passes and their diminutive striker slotted home at the far post
from about 12 yards. 3-0.
More replacements were made with Graeme and Mattock (backing
up from a full game in the Ressies) coming on to
bolster the midfield ranks with (semi) fresh legs. It was at this point that the complexion of
the game changed with late tackles, elbows and verbal jousts becoming the
norm.
It was this new found aggression and the spectre of a drubbing, that caused LCW to assert some dominance against a
side that got too complacent by pushing too far forward. It was end to end stuff but a long ball down
the left saw Milcey take advantage of some slack
defending to send a delightful ball rolling across the 18yd box. Waves of attackers and defending proceeded the miss the bobbling ball until Melnick arrived late to side-foot home past the keeper. 3-1.
Asquith attempted to shut up shop but there was still 15
minutes to play. However, LCW spurned
many chances against a wilting Asquith defence.
Eventually, one of the Asquith back-4’s many mistakes saw Mark released
into space, evade the on-rushing keeper and fire home to set up an exciting 5
or so minutes. 3-2.
Unfortunately, the Reds train was just about out of gas and
whilst there was time for an equaliser, the boys’ legs were shot. Cookie eventually blew time on a game full of
niggle and recriminations as both teams’ discipline went out the window. As the losers, the Reds couldn’t do much but
throw some abuse and engage in some push-and-shove as the teams walked off –
very Arsenal / ManU but without the pizza. It all came to nought however as Asquith’s
“chant” (calling it a “gay song” apparently upsets them because it’s “not a
song”) rang out around Blackman.
The attitude of Asquith, their supporters, their manager and
the state of the field after they left to go back North should provide ample
motivation for the return leg in a few weeks time. I think we’ve found our new arch-nemisis.
Roll-on next week to restore some dented pride!!