Lane Cove West 3, West Pymble A 1.

17 June, Blackman

With World Cup Fever gripping the nation following the Socceroos 3-1 victory over Japan we took to the field hoping to build upon our victory over the league leaders as we had done two weeks before against Hornsby Heights.

This week’s opposition were probably the best team we had come up against so far but our new found confidence in our own ability is starting to pay dividends and in retrospect the hiccup against Gordon may actually be the catalyst for a late run for the title!

No doubt Mark would have a field day running through the various statistical anomalies of the last time we had won three on the trot or when the Socceroos last played in the World Cup, Ipswich won the league etc. The best stats I can come up with were highlighted by John Sneddon after the game. We used thirteen players in the game and none of them were born in Australia. In fact Ivan and Scott are the only Australians to play in the B’s this season and they were on loan from the first team. So much for comparisons with the Socceroos!

Anyway too the match – as nominated captain I strode proudly to the centre circle and promptly lost the toss! So it’s Mark Sehn’s turn next week.

Due to a lack of numbers we drafted in Nigel Blow to give us some much needed mobility in midfield but found ourselves under pressure in the opening exchanges and were lucky not to be one down very early when West Pymble A (WPA) broke free into our penalty area and I somehow managed to fall in front of the ball rather than tackle as the forward lined up his shot. I’m not sure what happened next as I was eating dirt at the time but I looked up to see the rebound fall to a WPA forward who missed when it looked easier to score.

Earlier in the season this would have set the alarm bells ringing but we are made of sterner stuff now and we duly dusted ourselves down and set about the task with renewed determination.

Our passing game started to come together and as always Mark Sehn and Matt were putting pressure on their back four and we forced a corner. Nigel sent in a nasty low ball to the near post and from were I was there appeared to be a slight deflection and the ball flew into the back of the net. 1-0 !!!!

We then really started to get some momentum and Brian was playing some lovely balls with the outside of his boot towards Matt and Mark which highlighted that their back four were not the quickest or most agile we have played against and after some good sustained pressure we won a free kick outside the area.

WPA formed a wall and Peter Ware strode up to take aim, fired, nasty bounce in front of the keeper, through his arms and 2-0.

When I’m on the pitch I have no concept of time but I think this was in the first twenty minutes as I went off shortly after the goal for a breather and Howard admitted he’d arrived late and had actually missed both goals! Bearing in mind he was supposed to be in charge of tactics for the day this was slightly disconcerting.

So we were well worth the lead and continued to give a good account of ourselves even though the opposition were very mobile in midfield and up front. Unfortunately as we moved towards half time WPA began to find some rhythm and began to win balls in midfield managing to pull a goal back before the whistle. A speculative shot/cross appeared to be going straight into Tony’s hands but caught his fingertips as it sailed into the top corner. Tony’s handling up to this point had been excellent and in fairness we gave them far too much space to get the shot in.

So into the half time team talk, lots of discussion about filling the hole in front of the back four etc and then Eric’s very sound reminder “Hey lads, don’t forget we ARE winning!”

Into the second half and WPA again began strongly and we found ourselves pegged back on a number of occasions and our shape and rhythm seemed to be gone at times but we still competed for everything and WPA didn’t really have any clear chances. Our grit and determination was evident when Ernie clashed heads with his opponent and Eric took a nasty boot in the mouth as he went to ground. Matt got kicked in the head at one point but to be fair he was attempting to head the ball at knee height so there was no malice intended and as he’s a scouser he didn’t seem to notice!

As the half progressed we started to gain the upper hand and moving Bobby into midfield really made a difference with Mark Sehn causing all sorts of problems for their back four and forcing corners which had WPA on the back foot at this stage. Bobby went close with a header then had a great shot that had goal written all over it superbly saved by their keeper.

Tony Norman had been solid throughout and pulled off a superb one handed safe when a low shot looked destined for the bottom corner and emphasised that we have a very good keeper behind the back four which also adds to our new found confidence.

Five minutes to go and a cross or corner (can’t remember which) was partially cleared, Bobby flicked the ball over his head and Mark Sehn headed the ball into the back of the net. 3-1 GAME OVER!

We rode out the last few minutes to savour a thoroughly deserved win and Mark Sehn took his tally to six in six games – Mark B – statistical comparison please when you return.

Mark Sehn won man of the match and in my view was superb and the opposition just couldn’t deal with him. Bobby picked up a thoroughly deserved second place and Steve Lydiate and Matt were joint third. Steve had a particularly good game after coming back from injury.

Only the All Age reserves failed to take three points today and I’m sure everyone will agree – the beer tasted great at the end of the game!!

Martin Poolan