Growing pains and some canny summer transfer business behind them, the Whites have emerged as an impressive force this season. The Maroons have struggled, but with a strong 16-man squad for the first time, they had the legs to just see out the best derby game so far.
Rivalries can lead to impassioned arguments and the odd "clumsy" challenge but they also make for exciting games and ones which live in the memory.
The Maroons have not had a a problem starting well this season, and they were off to another flyer. Trev stormed into the box and was about to pull the trigger when he went down. A white eye might put this down to a sudden loss of coordination but the linesman felt the defender missed the ball and clipped the player. Fergus converted his penalty for his first goal of the season.
It might have been two pens soon after. To a Maroon eye Gary Hardie had his legs taken, to the linesman it was a fair challenge.
Ant's header from a cute corner - Dave C played it short to Gary J who whipped in a perfect cross from the right - did make it 2-0 and the Whites messed up a couple of decent chances. First the ball bobbled on AB when he looked through on goal and then Mr 21 nodded wide with the goal at his mercy.
So far so normal from the Maroons, and what happened next also followed the pattern of the season as a lack of concentration let their opponents in.
A few minutes into the second half, Mr 21 weaved through the box. It was a Matrix moment with the Maroons seemingly frozen as the Whites midfield maestro went through uncontested and dinked a simple shot past Pete.
The goal put the sail behind the Whites and they dominated the next 20 minutes before being caught on the break. Dave C's through ball curled in from the left and TH10 got there ahead of the defence and advancing keeper Dennis. From 3-1 it was soon 4-1 as Ant claimed a second, a powerful shot at the near post.
It is a sign of the new Whites confidence and ability that they stormed back again. First through AB's blinding corner, flying in untouched and then, from another corner, Gary J bundling in the first OG (and hopefully the last) of his career. Steve B hit the bar and a draw looked a likely result.
It was 4-3 with seven minutes to play and the Maroons hung on but just.
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I cant add much to Tonys report. After we all settled down there was some mighty fine football played. I dont know who "from the hill" is but they have their head up their blurter, I was quite happy to see Shakey,Jon and Dave not in the maroons line up, then Jose doesnt play the second half. For mine Paul had a blinder for the maroons, bet the knee is sore today, he was everywhere. Maroon Trev showed what an asset he will be. From our point of view, it was an afternoon of playing catch up and we couldnt quite get there. At 2-1 down we were all over the maroons but couldnt convert, and paid the price. Les and Phil were standouts, but really there wasnt a bad player on the park. Last year at 4-1 down we would have rolled over, but we showed this year we play all the way to the end, and if SteveB's snap would have crept under the crossbar, would have set up an interesting finish.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, I was sorta trying to score from the corner. I used to do it quite a bit in juniors, but at the back post. I thought if I done it quick, not let the defence get organised and hit it low and hard and swing it in, might be my lucky day. Hey presto!
Excellent Derby the standard has improved. Whites are a more formidable solid outfit, Rod and Keith fine recruits. Les as usual the general fine game and Phil his best game for the Whites so far all forwards having lots of chances AB enjoying those corners well done.
ReplyDeleteMaroons started with some guts for a change ,TH10 and Ant enjoyed being back together both had strong games finishing well when required maybe what has been missing for the Maroons. Midfield worked well against Les and co Fergus played well letting his play do the talking and Trev will be an asset always looking like a chance for a goal with the ball.
Bring on July
"Maroons seemingly frozen"..more like deliberately obstructed getting near the ball.
ReplyDeletePfft!