SHUT OUT KEEPS MAROUBRA TITLE HOPES ALIVE
The Green Machine had stalled in recent weeks and with our semi-finals aspirations on the line today, a victory was imperative. Maroubra entered the game with 13 players and with a few players still battling niggling injuries and no recognised goalkeeper the task was going to be a tough one against a determined Locomotiv desperate to stay in the hunt for a Semi Finals birth.
This was highlighted as both teams looked to stamp their authority on the game early with several tough tackles made and I think playing a 4-5-1 formation at the start helped us break down their options. The Maroubra defence was strong and resolute thwarting their incisive passes down the wings or through the centre and showed a great deal of composure under pressure - something that was clearly missing last week.
As the game wore on and Loco trying a variety of options to break our Wall, the pressure and frustration levels of our opposition began to build and all of a sudden they were more interested in arguing with the referee than playing the game. In total contrast, the Maroubra team was talkative, positive, reaffirming positions, marking, which was a pleasure to watch from the sideline.
In the second half, the Maroubra Team were keen to be more aggressive moving to a 442 formation with first half goalie Justin swapping with Napoleon to partner Nelson up front. The move sparked the Maroubra team into gear with Justin's height advantage causing several concerns for the Loco defence and midway through the half had broken clear from the halfway line creating a 2 on 2 situation sliding the ball to Nelson on the left who unfortunately found the keeper with his effort.
Several more chances were created in the second half with Keith instrumental in supplying some quality passes to yours truly on 2 occasions only to be thwarted by a soft shot or poor cross. The first occasion, Keith had effortlessly beat his opponent to make a strong run down the left wing and looked up to find yours truly "steaming" in at 10km an hour into the goals. The cross was pin point perfect to find the Gaffer who surprisingly controlled the cross well and unfortunately not used to such situations my attempt on goal was not one for the highlight reel.
The second occasion Loco attempted a through ball which Geoff intercepted and with great vision our media liaison officer produced a sublime pass out wide for me to run onto and play a square ball to Keith who ran at the heart of the defence and provided a return pass deep down the right wing and subsequently produce a pathetic cross...I can clearly say the footing in that area of the field was exceptionally tough to negotiate as it was deceptively flat to produce a quality cross!!
Our Goal
With the score 0-0 deep into the second half and Maroubra pushing forward, sustained pressure down the left resulted in the ball falling to Frankie near the edge of the box which he prodded forward to Justin on the right side whose shot was turned around to secure a corner.
In a scene reminiscent to a training ground drill we worked on at the start of the year, Nelson teed up the corner as the tall timber made their way into attack. Watching on from the sidelines, Nelson's cross was more like a chip shot into the green on the 18th at Moore Park Golf Course but it was a perfect cross as it found Russell to head into the right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Overall
This was indeed a team effort today and everyone contributed and played a vital part in securing the victory and I am proud of how you all handled yourselves after the game. I have spoken about the rock like defence at length, but our midfield/strikers were exceptional too working hard to get back and help our defenders when required and then to back that up and roll forward in attack.
Special thanks to Justin and Napoleon for sharing the Keeping duties today and interchanging during the game. I tip my hat to you guys for a solid effort and helping us achieve our first clean sheet of the season.
Big thanks also to Con for bringing the beers and Napoleon the shirts and as per normal Nap has the difficult task of selecting the 3,2,1 Players Player of the Year votes. When you have done so, please email our Team Auditor Wayne only to keep record.
Well done again and enjoy the 3 points for the next couple of days as we back up against Waverley!!
Team Sheet:
Justin, Peter, Russell, Geoff, Jason, Rod, Napoleon, Keith, Leo, Brett, Nelson, Subs: Con, Frankie
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