RESERVES v Fitzroy City
Round 2 - 12/04/2008
Round 2 - 12/04/2008
HOME TO HA SMITH, AT LONG LAST!
For the first game of the season at home, the Scotch Reserve team were looking to put some points on the board after a disappointing loss to Ashburton in Round 1. The line-up was shuffled with Daz coming back to his usual sweeping role after a self-imposed one match ban to Queensland while Greavesy started up front after giving the all clear to a niggling ankle. Spirits were high against their opponent, but nobody knew the match would be as hard-fought as Tiddy in a tuckshop queue.
For some unknown reason Fitzroy fielded a ten man team for the first 20 minutes despite having substitutions. Scotch were out of sorts trying to figure out the system employed by the visitors, and before they knew it Fitzroy had shocked the Reds with a quick counter attacking break. A defensive mishap allowed a wily Fitzroy forward to sneak behind the ball-watching and put one away inside the first five minutes. With Wardy and Brad in the centre of the park, and Tom's enthusiastic runs and disposals, Scotch was able to muster up a few attacking pieces and get the game on a level keel, possession-wise, without the benefit of making up for the quickly conceded goal. With Greavesy and Jimmy up front, along with Christian and Alex on the wings, some decent passing play helped despite the constant pressure of a skilled Fitzroy team. It was give-and-take for most of the first half with Scotch defending well with Will and Tibs growing in confidence at the back with some improved man-marking of the two strong Fitzroy forwards.
Pip roused the troops at half time with the criticism that there needs to be more "mongrel" in the team if they were to pull a result. With Tom benched for the Senior's game, Al King, the "Harry Kewell" of the club - deemed so for the amount of time he spends injured - slotted into the attacking midfield role.
Early on in the second half, Fitzroy strengthened their stranglehold on the game following a cross dropping for the visiting striker, who aptly slotted it past Mike. 2-0, and not the start to the second half the Reds would have wanted.
Scotch pressed, looking to get back into the game, and Jimmy was able to pull a goal back with a defensive error. He masterfully snuck in to chip the newly-subbed Fitzroy keeper and gave the Reds a sniff of hope. At 2-1, the Reds were buoyant and started to believe. As the game began to open up, Fitzroy pushed further into the lead with a dubious Fitzroy linesman more interested in the eye candy than doing his job allowing an offside goal to stand.
Pip decided to do something drastic and with Greavesy's ankle starting to strain, Pip led by example and subbed himself into Adam's role. While most thought it was somewhat preposterous, Pip's tactile prowess would soon unfold like an Arsenal defence.
A Scotch cross was handballed just outside the box. As the wall was being set-up, Pip decided to go for glory and while to ball travelled as fast as Pip could run, the Fitzroy keeper fumbled it into the goal.
Tiddy came on for Christian, and Wardy pushed out wide, and Scotch began to attack in waves. It was end-to-end action from then on with Mike able to acrobatically turn a shot onto his crossbar and out while at the other end, a dubious penalty was awarded to Scotch as Doidgy was tugged in the box. Again, putting the game into his hands, Pip stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way, drawing the Reds level at 3-all.
Time eventually was the winner as Scotch kept up the attacking pace searching for the lead. Had the ref not blown whilst the Reds were deep in attack, they might have nicked the winner as an unmarked Al took his shot seconds after the final whistle.
In the end what looked like a hopeless situation turned out to be a test of character to the Reserves, who despite only picking up a point, displayed true grit to come from behind and open their account.
3-3 the final score.
For the first game of the season at home, the Scotch Reserve team were looking to put some points on the board after a disappointing loss to Ashburton in Round 1. The line-up was shuffled with Daz coming back to his usual sweeping role after a self-imposed one match ban to Queensland while Greavesy started up front after giving the all clear to a niggling ankle. Spirits were high against their opponent, but nobody knew the match would be as hard-fought as Tiddy in a tuckshop queue.
For some unknown reason Fitzroy fielded a ten man team for the first 20 minutes despite having substitutions. Scotch were out of sorts trying to figure out the system employed by the visitors, and before they knew it Fitzroy had shocked the Reds with a quick counter attacking break. A defensive mishap allowed a wily Fitzroy forward to sneak behind the ball-watching and put one away inside the first five minutes. With Wardy and Brad in the centre of the park, and Tom's enthusiastic runs and disposals, Scotch was able to muster up a few attacking pieces and get the game on a level keel, possession-wise, without the benefit of making up for the quickly conceded goal. With Greavesy and Jimmy up front, along with Christian and Alex on the wings, some decent passing play helped despite the constant pressure of a skilled Fitzroy team. It was give-and-take for most of the first half with Scotch defending well with Will and Tibs growing in confidence at the back with some improved man-marking of the two strong Fitzroy forwards.
Pip roused the troops at half time with the criticism that there needs to be more "mongrel" in the team if they were to pull a result. With Tom benched for the Senior's game, Al King, the "Harry Kewell" of the club - deemed so for the amount of time he spends injured - slotted into the attacking midfield role.
Early on in the second half, Fitzroy strengthened their stranglehold on the game following a cross dropping for the visiting striker, who aptly slotted it past Mike. 2-0, and not the start to the second half the Reds would have wanted.
Scotch pressed, looking to get back into the game, and Jimmy was able to pull a goal back with a defensive error. He masterfully snuck in to chip the newly-subbed Fitzroy keeper and gave the Reds a sniff of hope. At 2-1, the Reds were buoyant and started to believe. As the game began to open up, Fitzroy pushed further into the lead with a dubious Fitzroy linesman more interested in the eye candy than doing his job allowing an offside goal to stand.
Pip decided to do something drastic and with Greavesy's ankle starting to strain, Pip led by example and subbed himself into Adam's role. While most thought it was somewhat preposterous, Pip's tactile prowess would soon unfold like an Arsenal defence.
A Scotch cross was handballed just outside the box. As the wall was being set-up, Pip decided to go for glory and while to ball travelled as fast as Pip could run, the Fitzroy keeper fumbled it into the goal.
Tiddy came on for Christian, and Wardy pushed out wide, and Scotch began to attack in waves. It was end-to-end action from then on with Mike able to acrobatically turn a shot onto his crossbar and out while at the other end, a dubious penalty was awarded to Scotch as Doidgy was tugged in the box. Again, putting the game into his hands, Pip stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way, drawing the Reds level at 3-all.
Time eventually was the winner as Scotch kept up the attacking pace searching for the lead. Had the ref not blown whilst the Reds were deep in attack, they might have nicked the winner as an unmarked Al took his shot seconds after the final whistle.
In the end what looked like a hopeless situation turned out to be a test of character to the Reserves, who despite only picking up a point, displayed true grit to come from behind and open their account.
3-3 the final score.
Match Report - Reserves 2008
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Fixtures & Results
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Links
Welcome!
Welcome to the new website for Old Scotch Soccer club. You'll find stacks of information about the club, past and present.
There is a lot of information on the site but we are always looking for more input. Please contact us if you have any comments or anything to add.
All the action from 20008
Access to all the ladders, matches and reports from 2008. Click here.
2008 Presentation Night
A hugely successful event. All the reaction and awards from the night of nights. Click here.
Welcome to the new website for Old Scotch Soccer club. You'll find stacks of information about the club, past and present.
There is a lot of information on the site but we are always looking for more input. Please contact us if you have any comments or anything to add.
All the action from 20008
Access to all the ladders, matches and reports from 2008. Click here.
2008 Presentation Night
A hugely successful event. All the reaction and awards from the night of nights. Click here.