Under 11 Black Match Report
Saturday, April 19, 2008 v Taroona Blue @ Taroona High School

Match report :

On a perfect autumn Saturday morning both teams started well. Both teams had very structured formations and their defences were solid. Joseph (central midfield) was again used in a more attacking role and assisted Nathan, Bobby and Matthew (forwards) creating opportunities towards the Taroona goal. The Taroona team's defence played in the middle of the park, open space appeared out wide and both Joseph and Bobby used this space to stage attacking moves forward. The back line of Joshua (centre back), Kris, Jordan and Harrison repelled the ball well despite having to look into the morning sun in the 1st half. Our midfielders worked hard to get possession of the ball, Michael, Jayden and Robert together with Joseph, winning the ball and pushing it forward. Taroona started to move the ball with confidence and our players marking skills fell away and Taroona scored 2 successive goals. Taroona maintained this pressure and had a run of corners but the boys dug deep and defended these very well. Taroona shot a “torpedo” from out far and the ball skidded into the goal. Our goalkeeper William did a fine job, but this one had just too much on it.

In the 2nd half our fortunes changed. We had the attack (no sun in eyes) and Joshua pushed is defensive line up the park. Kris (goalkeeper) found himself alone except when there was a counterattack. We seemed to have more drive from the midfield, Michael and William using the space out wide to mount attacking raids. The Taroona goalkeeper found he had more work to do in this half. Joseph shot the ball at goal from long range after a good passing movement by Robert and the ball hit the keeper, spilled and Bobby won the race to ball and kick a goal. Joshua just about had a goal from a corner, a beautiful curling left footer into goal, how it was stopped I don't know. Bobby followed up with a 2nd goal shortly after following another attacking raid into Taroona's half of the ground. William, Michael and Robert continued their good ball control and drive into attack. Our last chance for a goal from a corner, Joshua hit a perfect ball and Joseph headed to ball just shaving the near post, a very pleasing set piece by the boys. Jordan, Harrison, Jayden tackled their attackers well, Jordan making 4 good tackles one after the other then winning the ball, excellent work. Joshua again was marshalling the defence and controlling the backline, repelling the ball very well.

The match ended with TAROONA Blue 6 KLUSC Black 2.

Colin Robbins
Coach