On a day that reached 27 degrees at the end of May, a game in the midday sun was always going to be a tough ask for the young charges in the Under 12 competition, but the Albion Park boys were up for the challenge in taking on the Figtree 12C’s at Harry Graham Park.
Early on it was obvious that the fitter and more enthusiastic team was going to be difficult to defeat given the tough challenge of the heat of the day, and with Albion Park 12B still down to just one reserve with the continued absence on the field of Kyan “Waterboy” Van Helden, they had to show that their training was paying off. From the kick off they made the hard running. Though the Figtree boys made a couple of early insertions it was the effort of the Albion Park boys that caught the eye. It appeared to be an even contest, but a good forward movement saw the ball in the Albion Park attacking zone where the centre half put a great through ball to Cohen Dick up forward, who beat his man and then made a super pass to Josh Peters who lined up and crashed the ball into the top of the net, and the visitors had a 1-0 lead.
The first half was full of terrific play and though it may not have been rewarded on the scoreboard it was impressive nonetheless. Another good pay down the left side saw Matt Shepherd steal the ball from his opponent and then swing around with a great pass across to Max Sciberras on the right wing who had his shot blocked. From the ensuing corner a great ball left the goal open but without anyone being able to take advantage. This led to a couple of long winding runs from the tall Figtree winger down his right flank, but on both occasions he was dominated by left back Luke Beesley, who stuck stride by stride with his opponents, forcing him wide on the sideline and giving him no opportunity to cross the ball in to the centre, before eventually dispossessing him and moving the ball back upfield to his teammates. It was fantastic defensive play from a kid who is improving every week, and combined with the other half a dozen times he got in and stopped a forward movement before it could start he had a terrific game. On the other side of the field, right back Nic Wynen was proving to be just as effective, mirror imaging a defensive run like Luke’s, and combining well with Jack-Ryan Eberwein in stopping the ball from getting anywhere near the box.
At the other end Heath “Spare Parts” Gillis was making the most of his return to the field, playing every position as required and doing a great job in each. He didn’t stop all day, and towards the end of the first half made a spectacular run through the defense and had a great shot on goal, only to be denied by a wonderful piece of goal-keeping. The centre pairing was the non-stop engine room, running their opponents off their legs, and though the teams went in at halftime at 1-0 it felt as though the Park team was on top.
As expected, the second half was a tough slog. Running against the slight breeze made it a tough ask for the visitors, but the kids kept fighting hard, and swarmed in defence when the ball fell to their attackers feet. Luke and Nic kept them honest, but it was the work of Harry Whiteford and Michael Young on the left flank that made a huge difference. Harry’s pace and presence to rush in and take the ball when danger appeared was uncanny, and on a number of occasions he managed to save what could have been trouble. Mick was excellent again, fighting hard to get to the ball and looking to turn himself to get the ball upfield to his teammates. Both these boys worked hard in the second half when their opponents started to tire and they did a great job. So too Jack-Ryan on the right hand side of the field. On at least three occasions he was man-on-man alone with two unmarked opponents inside him, and with his team relying on him he fought and defended and got the ball out over the sideline allowing his team to reassemble. He also showed his improved left foot on a couple of occasions today which was excellent to see. Great stuff.
In games like this it is hard to be a goal-keeper when you don’t see much of the ball, but knowing full well that at some stage you will be called upon to make a save to keep your team in the game. This happened to Ethan Meehan today, and after barely seeing the ball for 45 minutes there was a break through the defence, and a shot launched in anger at the goals… and Ethan was there to save it. It was as important a save as any of the dozen or so he had had to make every other week, and he kept his nerve and concentration throughout the game. Well done Ethan.
Attacking options continued late in the game for the Park. Josh alternated between great through balls to his teammates to making his own breaks down the left flank. He had one shot that hit the side of the net (albeit with a man or two unmarked in the square), and then another hard run saw him get a great pass in to Mick on the left post, whose shot was saved in a frenzy around the goal mouth. The ball spilled out to about ten metres from the halfway line, where Harry rushed in from fullback and launched a shot from well outside. The high ball wobbled about in the breeze, and the keeper underneath looked about as secure as I do under a high ball on the cricket field. In the end he tried to bunt it away, but it escaped his grasp, and rolled behind him over the line for a well deserved goal for Harry and also the team, extending the lead to 2-0.
The final few minutes saw Figtree up their attack, but they were well held by the Albion Park boys, whose passing and control under pressure today was fantastic. When the full time whistle blew Albion Park had run out well deserved winners by 2-0.
It bears mentioning that coach Mick Meehan spoke glowingly to the boys after the game about their commitment and their skills in today’s match. It’s an easy thing to write that they are improving every week and understanding each others play, but it is an accurate assessment of their gameplay. They mightn’t be getting the results in regards to goals scored every week, but the defence has not conceded a goal now for two games. Every boy contributes each week in some way and that is the most gratifying part about watching this team play.
