O 35 s 4 Eastern Suburbs 3

As the conditions worsened Eastern Suburbs crept more into the game and against the run of play was gifted a goal by some careless play in the midfield, their striker rounded the keeper and 1 – 0 Suburbs.

Then before we knew it we were caught square at the back, a neat through ball was played diagonally to the Suburbs attacker who rounded the keeper and 2 – 0 Suburbs. I didn’t feel this was a true reflection of the game but we had gifted them 2 goals, so we were now going to have to work harder to get this back.

Then a foul on Davy Barnard left us with a free kick just inside our half, the ball was knocked short and an effort to put the ball into the box was flicked on by Marty Mercer and I just managed to get ahead on it and it crept in, inches inside the far upright, 2 – 1 Suburbs.

We created more pressure thus more chances with Robbie Leonard and Andy Davy going close.

Then to our dismay Suburbs made it 3 – 1 against the run of play. The call was come on lads heads up and we can beat these. Then after pressure surmounting in the Suburbs penalty area, a back pass was picked up by the keeper, free-kick Puke, 8 yards out. Suburbs made a wall and there was about 12 players on the Suburbs line, the thought was just blast it, even though indirect it must hit someone, so we did, the ball was struck fiercely along the deck, the ball ricocheted off a couple of defenders legs before finishing up in the back of the net, 3 – 2 Suburbs.

After a good break down the right, by Robbie Leonard, the ball knocked into the opposition penalty area, and after the opposing defender failed to clear, it rebounded back to Robbie who slotted it home, score now 3 – 3. The half-time whistle blew and it was good to be back on level terms.

Right lads keep our heads, keep it simple and our fitness will outlast theirs. So back into it and some good work in the middle of the park, from Davy Barnard (his usual tireless self) and Marty Mercer with some excellent physical challenges, we were surmounting more pressure, with Andy Davy going close again and after some great play, we found Graham in space in the box but unfortunately his shot inches wide, should have been 4 – 3 but onwards and upwards.

Suburbs was kept at bay in the second half and created few chances but it was the brilliance of keeper Andy Towsend with 2 magnificent fingertip saves that kept us from going behind. Also a big thank you for playing your second game of the day especially in the current climatic conditions.

With seconds to go some great chasing of lost courses from Andy Davy, created a chance we wouldn’t of otherwise had, and after challenging the keeper for the ball it fell loose to Robbie Leonard who was on hand to somehow roll it in to the bottom corner, not the cleanest of strikes but enough to finish the game 4 – 3 and grab those vital 2 extra points.

Great effort lads we gifted them 2 goals and worked extremely hard showing good character, guts and determination to grab the victory, good stuff.

I thought Mark Edwards was excellent again at the back, Roysa and John Mac had strong games, Clyde ran the defensive back line efficiently and it showed when he went off. Andy Davey had a strong game up front, Marty Mercer showed great agility by playing the many positions he did. Nick Rowe had a much better game this week with showing good touches and moving the ball forward effectively from the midfield. Graham worked hard and could have given us a deserved lead, but player of the day this week goes to Robbie Leonard with his good work ethic and the 2 goals that grabbed the 3 points.

Well done Robbie but if you insist taking on 5 of the opposition at a time, just do it in their half, well done, mate.

POD:     Robbie Leonard

Goals:     J Waller 2, Robbie Leonard 2

Goal Scorers to date:      J Waller 4, Robbie Leonard 2 and Andy Davey 1.