Last weekend we played against (bottom of the ladder) Old Aquinians. Having only lost against the top two teams we were fairly confident of having a good result and I was personally looking forward to increasing my goal tally.
We had 13 players, which is a perfect number going into a team and I was given my usual starting Centre Forward position, I could see that tally moving! We won the toss to start the game and although I suggested hitting towards the setting noon sun Lee elected to start with the ball. Thankfully (like Hockey) Physics wasn’t the forte of our opposition who elected to start the game hitting against the setting sun.
The first part of the game was a little scrappy but we managed to pull some good midfield work opening up a few chances. We occasionally got tested in defence but Aquinians never really controlled the ball in our D. The best chance to put us in the lead was a perfect through ball from Lee to yours truly sitting patiently in Aquinians’ D. Unfortunately when attempting to do one of my trademark swoops of the ball I totally missed it and the ball went un-challenged over the backline. Didn’t I look like a fool!
We eventually scored late in the half after a text book short corner shot from Lee. However like the soccoroos our goal was quickly over shadowed by a stuff up in defence giving the Aquinians an open goal to level the score line. The first half ended 1-1.
The coach gave us a serious talk which is what we needed to lift our game. We went into the second half determined to take three points away from our bottom of the ladder opposition. And determined we were because the second half was a different game to the first. I personally had a number of opportunities to increase the score line except it wasn’t my day. Lucky for me Guy, Nathan, and young Steven they were all playing a good game and each added a goal to their personal records.
The game ended 4-1; quite a convincing win and after our second half efforts could have been a lot more! The most interesting stat is Old Aquinians have only ever scored three goals for the season and all three have been against us.
Next week we are against second placed team Subs on our home turf (late Saturday night). We have played Subs twice; one win and one loss. To have any chance of winning the finals we need to put this team away!
See http://www.southernriverhockey.asn.au/2007/07/23/hawks-take-the-points/ for the official game report.
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