Match Report - 11 January 2004

An entertaining game with plenty of chances at both ends. Headstone were the stronger team in the first half and should have gone into half time ahead. In the second half Princes Park improved and took a 2 goal lead but Headstone battled back well and almost tied the game in the closing seconds.

The pitch was very soft but both teams produced some good passing football throughout the match. Jordan Wright had little to do as Daniel and Ciaran kept Princes Park at bay. Headstone started well and Warren, Conor and Thomas worked the ball well together. Kushal looked very strong up front. He held the ball up well, used the midfield players effectively and had lots of shots. Conor and Thomas also had shots that went close.

Princes Park took the lead against the run of play with a goal that Conor almost managed to scramble off the line. But Headstone deservedly turned the match round shortly after with two goals in two minutes. Kushal equalised with a fine breakaway goal. Conor picked up the ball in midfield and fed Kushal whose powerful shot beat the keeper. Warren, who had worked really well down the right wing, then gave Headstone the lead. His shot from the edge of the area was fumbled into the net. Brett came on for Conor and he and Warren tested Princes Park down the wings. Kushal, Thomas and Brett had further chances but couldn't add to the score.

Princes Park levelled the match on 20 minutes when Headstone failed to clear from a throw in near the penalty area. The ball fell to their striker who produced a powerful, high shot that flew into the far corner of the net.

At the start of the second half Conor came back on for Warren, Rory replaced Jordan in goal, Kushal went into defence and Ciaran went up front. Ciaran made a lively start picking the ball up in the Princes Park half and racing forward for goal. As Princes Park pushed forward, Headstone had lots of chances on the break. On several occasions they got behind the Princes Park defence and had unmarked players in the box but couldn't finish.

Princes Park looked to have killed the game off with two goals in four minutes. The first came when Rory's clearance went straight to a Princes Park player who volleyed back towards the goal. Rory scrambled back but couldn't keep it out. At 2-4 down Kushal went back up front and Ciaran returned to the defence. Warren came back on for Thomas. As Headstone pressed it looked likely that they would score. Kushal, Brett and Conor went agonisingly close. Kushal got the goal with a shot from the right that beat the keeper on his near post. As the match came to a close Headstone had a succession of corners and more chances but couldn't find the net.

Kushal was man of the match for an excellent performance up front.