A Tale of Two Halfs

The Maroons recent run of form against the top teams made this yet another one of those must win end of season games. Things didn't look good when 5 minutes before kick off we only had ten players. Shane was about to get ready to go in goal and have Pete as a lone forward. Three minutes later SocialSec turns up and Shane looks like a relieved man (or should that be looks like a man who knows he can attack the esky in relative peace and quiet).

By kick off time we're up to 12 and by half time Gary J decides to grace us with his presence giving us two subs for the second half.

The game couldn't half started any better for us, a sweeping move and Graeme D is standing 6 inches out from their goal line, the ball slams against the bar and Graeme is there to chest the ball over and we're one-nil up within 30 seconds. A second soon follows as a Beckenbauresqe pass from the back sets Shakey away and he finishes with applomb.

At this stage we were cruising, City aren't looking at all dangerous and we're looking comfortable. Moments later the swirling wind catches everyone out as a cross dips between two backs and a Shellharbour player times his run with perfection and puts the ball past Pete with a cracking shot.

Game on - for about two minutes as Fergus floats a cross in from a free kick just inside our half, the keeper comes for it but Shakey beats him to it and heads it beyond him into an unguarded net. 3-1 at the break and all is good.

Second hald starts and maybe we're feeling over confident and take our foot off the gass. Playing uphill City start pinging the ball about. Our shape disappears somewhat and they're all over us like a bad rash. The sun has dropped and it's just about impossible to see the ball when it comes in from the right hand side. "Keep it tight for the first 10" says Graeme P. "If we grab one more we've got it won". So the author takes matters into his own hands, connecting with a blistering left footed volley that flies into the net - reminding everyone what they've been missing up front :) Shame it was into our own net :(

What is it about that ground and own goals? Also what is it about that ground that invariably has me getting a shot righ into the crown jewels?

3-2 and we're hanging on, albeit they don't actually have many shots. At the death we're hanging on, Shakey decides to waste a bit of time by hoofing the ball out of play - and the ref blows the final whistle 5 seconds after we've waited two minutes for the ball to be retrieved.

A tight fought game against a good team (and decent bunch of lads) - and three points that sees us nicely placed.