Sunday 27th May 2012, Central Park Malvern
Central Park 4 - Collingwood 2
New Pitch - Same Mastery
After Friday's deluge on Friday our Eco-friendly line marking was quite literally washed away. Our ever resourceful Thirds sized up the issue and set up the second pitch. So a new experience for us making the long trek to the Western side of the Oval - "Fortress 2"
We dominated the opening exchanges and were only denied an early goal by some gallant Collingwood defense.
Having played a number of long balls we finally gave the forwards a rest. Dave Neal ran the ball from the halfway line, made the defense commit then slipped a pass through to Lars who tucked away the opener.
Collingwood hung in as we mounted repeated attacks but the avalanche of goals didn't come.
Then completely against the run of play a driven cross field pass was intercepted by Klotzy's head and looped twenty five yards round Kostas and into the back of the net. All tied up and the Magpies started to entertain thoughts of stealing a point. 1-1 half time.
A clinical strategy for the second half - no long range shots, dominate possession, use the wide players, get the ball in the box and pressure the highly suspect goalie. Tone would have been proud.
So from the kick off Lars danced through the centre circle and shot from thirty+ yards then Gerard did the same from the next possession. Not sure what 'no shooting from outside the box' is in Danish and Irish but will look it up before next week's game.
We pounded the Collingwood goal for the next ten minutes with Batesy and Joe denied and yours truly hitting the cross bar.
Finally The good Doctor, who'd been terrorizing their left back took control. Coming in from the wing he beat his man, straightened inside the box and blasted the ball past the keeper at the near post.
With the defensive plan torn up Collingwood had to chase the game. We kept control in midfield and some nice interplay with Klotzy (who somehow resisted the urge to hit it from 25 yards - too close?) and his usual magic feet in the box saw Lars tuck away his second for 3-1
In a half where the Big Fella had spent as much time in the Collingwood box as Batesy our 690th corner finally bore fruit. As the ball came back across the goal, Neil from a couple of yards out, turned 180 degrees, like a taller version of Messi, and punched home the fourth.
In a spirit of generosity we gave Collingwood's speedy striker some room to shoot and he did. At least they scored one of the six goals.
As always an entertaining game with our free flowing style drawing a record crowd - word is spreading. A fine win which places us third on the ladder behind Fitzroy and South Yarra.
Next week it's back to the Fortress against Clifton Hill.
Central Park 4 - Collingwood 2
New Pitch - Same Mastery
After Friday's deluge on Friday our Eco-friendly line marking was quite literally washed away. Our ever resourceful Thirds sized up the issue and set up the second pitch. So a new experience for us making the long trek to the Western side of the Oval - "Fortress 2"
 |
| (The 'Wet Look' - The decision to shift pitches was touch and go, before CP erred on the side of caution) |
We dominated the opening exchanges and were only denied an early goal by some gallant Collingwood defense.
Having played a number of long balls we finally gave the forwards a rest. Dave Neal ran the ball from the halfway line, made the defense commit then slipped a pass through to Lars who tucked away the opener.
Collingwood hung in as we mounted repeated attacks but the avalanche of goals didn't come.
Then completely against the run of play a driven cross field pass was intercepted by Klotzy's head and looped twenty five yards round Kostas and into the back of the net. All tied up and the Magpies started to entertain thoughts of stealing a point. 1-1 half time.
A clinical strategy for the second half - no long range shots, dominate possession, use the wide players, get the ball in the box and pressure the highly suspect goalie. Tone would have been proud.
So from the kick off Lars danced through the centre circle and shot from thirty+ yards then Gerard did the same from the next possession. Not sure what 'no shooting from outside the box' is in Danish and Irish but will look it up before next week's game.
 |
| (Semantics: incredible what Google finds when you punch in 'soccer - box - shoot', just incredible.... i'll keep searching though, just to be sure.....) |
Finally The good Doctor, who'd been terrorizing their left back took control. Coming in from the wing he beat his man, straightened inside the box and blasted the ball past the keeper at the near post.
With the defensive plan torn up Collingwood had to chase the game. We kept control in midfield and some nice interplay with Klotzy (who somehow resisted the urge to hit it from 25 yards - too close?) and his usual magic feet in the box saw Lars tuck away his second for 3-1
In a half where the Big Fella had spent as much time in the Collingwood box as Batesy our 690th corner finally bore fruit. As the ball came back across the goal, Neil from a couple of yards out, turned 180 degrees, like a taller version of Messi, and punched home the fourth.
In a spirit of generosity we gave Collingwood's speedy striker some room to shoot and he did. At least they scored one of the six goals.
 |
| (Red Letter Day: Finding the back of the net wasn't the only positive for Collingwood this week) |
As always an entertaining game with our free flowing style drawing a record crowd - word is spreading. A fine win which places us third on the ladder behind Fitzroy and South Yarra.
Next week it's back to the Fortress against Clifton Hill.
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