Sydney Uni 1 - 2 Maroubra United

Super Leo drags Green Machine across the finish line

This was a must win game for the boys in green and we had a solid turnout in spite of Franks wayward directions!
Due to some washouts a ref was reassigned and arrived just in time for the start.
We were close to full strength and started well taking the game to Uni and creating chance after chance. However due to the short and narrow pitch, our forward were finding it difficult to get much space and most chances were snatched at.
We could have been 2 or 3 up if it wasn't for their excellent keeper who was having the game of his life!
Then, on the break, their attacking midfielder play a through ball down inside left chanel which the striker ran onto and smashed first time inside Karls near post. 0-1 down at the break
We brought on some fresh legs at the break and message to everyone was to keep playing football, they will tire and chances will come.
Patrick started the second half like a man on fire, first to every lose ball and closing down everything that came his way. Unfortunately this singled him out and when the opportunity came, the opposition hit him hard.
Patrick saw the challenge coming and raised his right hard to protect himself but the force of the body charge left him with multiple fractures to the wrist....
With Patrick making his way gingerly to RPA Emergency, Frank rejoined the fray but it wasn't long until he was smashed while challenging for a high ball, landing on the back of his head and needing to leave the pitch a bit dazed.
We continued to dominate with Pao marshaling the troops at the back and the team spreading the ball around looking for a way through.  Leo had obviously down a few espressos on his way to the game and was tormenting the Uni full back, turning him inside and out. With the sideline wondering if a cross would ever eventuate, Leo took the ball close to the sideline and drilled a cross low and hard inside the keeper to the back post, which it hit and went in ala Ned Zelic, 1-1, 20 minutes left, game on!
With time getting away from us, we quickly moved to our famed 3-5-2 formation, having to sacrifice a defender, Jason being the unlucky one.
With Yoshi and Rod now in control central mid, spreading the ball wide at every opportunity as Neil dragged defenders all over the field, controlling the ball near the left and feeding inside to Graham who smashed a 25 yarder towards the far corner of the net but once again, the keeper dives full length and turned around the post.
From the corner, Pao made contact but knowing he couldn't get enough power in the header to trouble the keeper, he intelligently headed back across goal where fox in the box, Leo poked home, 2-1 with 5 minutes left. We moved back to 4-5-1 and shut up shop as the minutes slowly passed but the ref continued to let play proceed even-though the clock had long passed the 45 minute mark.
Eventually, he blew and the result was secured, never in doubt!
With  Easts only managing a draw against Dunbar, we moved back up to 4th on goal difference with 2 games remaining.

Patrick was operated on Tuesday morning and we wish him a speedy recovery