Lane Cove West 2, North Sydney 1

12 April  2008, Blackman

We played North Sydney, who had been promoted from Div 4. They had an impressive record last year so we knew that we wouldn’t have things as easy as week 1.

  

Again we started like a house on fire. Running off the ball, possession and lots of ball movement. Once again both teams were surprised. We managed a very sweetly taken goal from Felix after about 5 minutes. It didn’t stop there we had another 3 clear cut chances in the first 10 minutes, but then our fitness, (all the pre season hamburgers), kicked in and our game fell away a bit. The last 20 minutes of the half saw NS with a lot more possession and they made things a little more uncomfortable and managed to get in behind us a few times, but fortunately there wasn’t any real clear cut chances for them. The halftime score was 1-0. Late in the half and against the run of play somewhat we managed another goal to make it 2-0, from a long range deflected shot/lob from Rich Beattie. That was the half time score.

  

 

The second half started very evenly. They had made a few changes and it seemed that they were matching us easily. The first 20 on the half was fairly non eventful, but then suddenly it sprung to life. The tackles and sledging had a little more in them and NS’s Whingometer was rapidly creeping up. We missed a one on one quickly followed by a tap in chance. We were then given a penalty which crashed against the upright. From the ensuing corner it seemed we had scored, with everyone BUT the ref acknowledging the ball crossed the line, however with his site hindered and the linesman not prepared to speak up he was unable to give it.

  

 

To NS’s credit they battled on and as a result of poor communication, poor positioning, human error and fatigue they scored a well taken, yet soft goal with 7 minutes to go, which ensured that the final stages of the game was played with panic and poor structure.

  

 

Thankfully we got up, although we were exhausted by the end. Obviously all the training is working!!!

  

 

Goal Scorers: Felix & Rich Beattie got one each got 1 each