Match Report - 24th June 2007

In a season disrupted by waterlogged pitches throughout the winter, it was fitting that it should end on a summer’s day in June on a dank, cool, rainy day. And in such conditions a huge thank you to all the parents who came along to support the team. The game was pretty even but Princes Park were more clinical in front of goal and that made the difference.

As it was a friendly Headstone took five substitutes along and used the game to give match practice to Sahir Masters, Jay Shah and Oliver Thomas who have been training this season. Headstone brought on all five subs at half time and it was good to see that such a big change didn’t disrupt the team’s play at all.

There weren’t many chances from either team in the first half but Daniel Lynch, in the Headstone goal, was marginally the busier. But he dealt well with them producing a couple of very good saves. Headstone’s main problem was that they gave the ball away rather too easily. There were quite a few balls knocked forward to Fed Jaramillo and Sahir up front but, overall, the service to them wasn’t good enough. They found it hard to keep possession and the Princes Park back four had the upper hand.

Headstone had a very good opportunity in the 2nd minute when they were awarded a free kick on the left of the penalty area. Ciaran McDougall sent over a superb, inviting cross but neither Russell Butlin or Sahir could get on the end of it. George Moriarty followed it up but the ball was cleared for a corner. Three minutes later and Princes Park took the lead with a goal out of nothing. It was a simple move through the middle that found one of their attackers racing in on the edge of the area and he clipped it high over Daniel.

Headstone made some good moves down the left side with good link up play between Ciaran, George and Sahir. Joe Jordan also made some good interceptions and thoughtful clearances. In the centre of midfield Jay Shah and Thomas Green worked hard to try and deny their opponents time and space but there wasn’t enough controlled passing from the centre and possession was lost too cheaply.

Headstone were back level in the 15th minute with a fine finish by Thomas. Fed was put through by a good ball from Sahir. Fed beat off the challenge of his opponent but before he could get his shot in the keeper parried it. But the ball ran free and Thomas came charging in to shoot powerfully into the empty net. Headstone’s other chances this half fell to Sahir, Jordan Wright and Fed but there was nothing to really threaten the keeper.

In the second half Nicholas Furquim replaced Tom Wrigley at right back and there were three midfield changes – Jordan Coleman for Jordan Wright, Kyle Giles Brown for Thomas and Oliver Thomas for George. Up front, top scorer Conor McBreen replaced Fed. Kyle and Jay combined well and very soon Jordan was involved with some quick passing to get Sahir and Conor attacking down the right. Headstone held the ball up better this half but, yet again, the players were reluctant to take responsibility to shoot. Time after time they preferred to pass when a shot was on and the half chance went.

The teams did appear to be pretty evenly matched with both defences looking strong and the two midfields cancelling each other out. Headstone created more chances this half with Sahir, Conor, Nick and Jay going close but not close enough. Oliver had a good opportunity close to goal on the left but he hesitated and the chance disappeared. At the other end Daniel had to come off his line twice to clear from an on rushing attacker. But two strikes in the 42nd and 60th minutes won the game for Princes Park.

Both came from defensive lapses when Headstone failed to be positive enough to clear. The first came from an attack down the left that saw Joe race back with their attacker but he wasn’t able to stop him getting in a shot that beat Daniel low at his near post. The second also came down the left when Princes Park’s attacker skipped past Nicholas too easily and had the time to shoot high over Daniel.

Headstone’s players never stopped trying to get back into it and had a lot of possession. Much of that was down to Kyle and Jay who battled away in the centre and were quick to get their tackles in. Conor looked keen but having been out unwell for two weeks it was asking a lot of him to recapture his best form. But he and Sahir combined well this half.

This was the fourth time the teams had met this season and Princes Park have won three of them. The two teams produce hard fought but fair encounters and we look forward to meeting again next season. There was no one outstanding candidate for man of the match. Joe took the award for the way he quietly but effectively got on his with his role at centre back. Joe has worked very hard in training over the season and the result is evident in the way he has improved so many aspects of his game.