APJSC Under 12.3 Green: Round 6 vs Balgownie Black at Ian McLennan Park #1

After a tough loss last week it was imperative that the boys got back on track with a win in this week’s match against Balgownie Black to stay in touch with the teams at the top of the ladder. The task was made just a little more difficult by having no subs for the game, with both the blonde locked speedster and tackling sensation Nic Wynen unavailable for the match.

 
The artificial surface at Kembla Grange was a great experience for the boys, and helped make for an even contest. The first half flowed back and forth, with the taller and bigger Balgownie team looking to dominate on all fronts. Much of the game was focused on the centre of the field, with attacking moves from both teams being shut down quickly by the defensive units. One excellent break through the midfield from Harry Whiteford that looked to be setting up a great attacking play was unfortunately terminated by an ugly illegal tackle for which the player was rightly yellow carded.
The combinations didn’t quite gel as well as they should have early. The backline had been asked for better clearances that the previous week, but there was still a bit of loose play that caused some heart failure on the sideline. The transfer from midfield to forwards also hit some hurdles, and a number of offside calls hampered the attacking prowess of the team.

 
The workrate could not be questioned though. Matt Shepherd had been switched to the backs to cover Nic’s unavailability and he continued to play as well as he has in recent weeks, tackling excellently in halting plays down his wing and getting the ball back to his midfield partners. Luke Beesley was doing double time on his flank against an opponent who towered over him, and his touch with the ball in particular was terrific. Harry Whiteford was playing the lynchpin between the backs to the forward line and made a number of incisive runs through the midfield, while his partner Heath “Energizer” Gillis barely stopped running through the whole first half, tackling, pressurising his opponents and chasing the ball back upfield. Like Matt, Cohen Dick had been shuffled into the backs this week, and he too was terrific in tackling the attacking raids as they came into the backline and clearing the ball away from danger. Holding the fort at the back, Ethan Meehan had to be well on his game and on three occasions made calm and sensible saves. Late in the first half the attackers broke through the Park defensive line, leaving a lone striker coming at Ethan with no one in between. Ethan stood his ground and made a slight attacking faint which rushed the shot which reduced its effectiveness and allowed Ethan to save it comfortably.

 
The whole backline had kept a clean sheet this week, and they were much of the reason that the team went to the break in front. A late attack by Balgownie was repelled once again, and the ball fell to Harry who quickly got the ball up front and in front of Josh Peters who ran on into space. His opponent looked to overpower him, and by his own admission he thought he may have messed up his chance, but he stayed with the ball, got a good touch in front of himself as his marker fell off him, and he kicked from the edge of the box to beat the keeper, and on the stroke of half time Albion Park had a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw much of the same, but there was a feeling Park was slowly gaining the ascendancy. The first few minutes saw Balgownie have much of the ball and in their attacking zone, but the Park defense held firm. Harry and Heath had moved forward with Josh and Ky Van Helden back into midfield, and Ky worked hard back and forward with the ball, tackling hard against the bigger opponents and winning back the ball in tight situations. Mick Young on the wing also faced runners coming at him consistently and he was great in finding a way to dispossess them and get the ball to his teammates. Max Sciberras made some great runs down his wing throughout the second half, and presented himself perfectly on the edge of the box on a number of occasions to put himself in a position to score if the ball came his way. That it didn’t is no fault of his and his game was exceptional.

 
The best of the day to my eyes though was Jack-Ryan Eberwein. Having taken on the lessons of last week, his efforts in the backline were brilliant. He made sure he was getting to the ball first and his clearances were first rate. If the run was on he cleared long and hard down the ground. If the run was down the wings he rushed across and got the ball over the sideline. If he was caught in the middle with an opponent he stole the ball and got it to his teammates if time allowed or cleared it away if it didn’t. Mistakes occurred in defence last week, but Jack ensured today that they did not happen this week.
Putting the icing on the cake, Jack set up the next goal, the one that broke the back of the Balgownie team. Still in the game at 1-0 despite Park’s pressure, Balgownie was fully penetrated as Jack’s big kick from his side of halfway sailed past the defensive line, with Heath motoring onto the ball. Despite attention from his opponents Heath pushed forward, found his moment and hit the ball towards goal. It was not directed perfectly as it was mostly at the keeper, but the pressure he had placed on the keeper proved to be the difference as it snuck past his defences and into the goal, and Park had the 2-0 lead they deserved, which they held until the end of the game.

It was a tough win for the team, achieved with no substitutes, and despite playing well it is obvious that they can still improve on some of the things they are doing. That is good news, because once they get everything in sync and they are all playing to their capability, they will be a real force in this competition.