ERREA Cup v Hills SHS HS 27/8/09
Football
ERREA CUP MATCH REPORT:
Semi Final v Hills SHS
Venue: Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Date: 27.08.09
Result: 0-1 (N Fitzgerald)
Lineup: Ryan, Collard, Mansueto, Jurman, Travis, Bragg, Hajjar, Ott, Mallia, Ibini-Isei, Jevtic
Subs: Jankovic, Crighton, DeGasperi, Matic
With no pre-match preparation and the set back of Anthony Caceres going home ill, the team rallied well to play some of the best modern attractive football we have seen at schoolboys level.
Hills came with a simple pressing game plan from the first whistle. They were able to force a couple of early mistakes and a good scoring chance in the irst 5 minutes.
Once we settled, the passing was accurate, slick and fluent. Some good combination play got us into a good forward position and from a Travis cross, Mitch Mallia scored what looked like a great goal, a pivot volley from 15 yrds out. To our disappointment it as ruled off-side. Hills played on quickly and broke forward in numbers. A speculative cross fell between two defenders and was not cleared. Nicholas Fitzgerald was first to the ball. His shot striking Alex Mansueto on the thigh, deflecting and wrong footing Mathew Ryan in the WS goal.
From then on the boys really worked hard to get back into the game. At half time Casey De Bruin changed the midfield structure to one holding midfielder in Daniel Bragg and allowed Andrew Hajjar and Jacob Ott to support Bernie Ibini-Isei in attack more. Stand out performances in the second half came from Captain Alex Mansueto, Ben Jurman, Daniel Bragg, Denis Jevtic and Bernie Ibini-Isei in particular.
The possession was almost all with WS and the ball movement was quick, patient and purposeful. The only thing missing was the final touch to score. To their credit, HSH showed tremendous desire and commitment in defence and held out the constant waves of attack WS produced. Hills were always dangerous on the counter as the speed and enthusiasm of their strikers was excellent.
With 18 minutes to go Casey introduced Damien Jankovic for Jacob Ott and went to a 4-4-2 to try to give Bernie more close support. Nikodin Matic also took over from Mat Ryan in goals and dealt very well with all situations.
At full-time Casey and the boys were very disappointed in the result. After the match Casey told the boys how pleased he was to see them put on such a quality display of modern football and felt very sorry for them that on this occasion they didn’t reap the rewards.
Alex Mansueto as presented with an award as Player of the Series and Hills SHS goalscorer Nick Fitzgerald Man of the Match.
By coach, Trevor Morgan.
Posted 31st August 2009
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