U14A Glen Waverley vs Doncaster Rovers 15th June
Proudly sponsored by Wet Water Pools.
On a typical Melbourne winters grey overcast day with a cool breeze blowing from somewhere, the game was set for a good win by the Rovers, out for redemption after an off week. All the dads predicted a 4-0 win before the game even though the pitch looked like a soggy mud heap with more mud than grass.
The game started with Rovers quickly in control as the Glen Waverley “Dynamites” looked ready to evapourate into thin air. Within the first minute Rovers were on the attack. A Great linkage of passes allowed Alex to get behind the defense and with a delicate cross found Phil, whose deflected header opened the scoring.
The referee awarded an ‘own-goal’ (bad luck Phil), but nevertheless 1-0 to Rovers after less than 2 minutes.
Rovers attacked again immediately, but Alex was caught offside.
Every time the Glen’s cleared the ball it came back with ever increasing interest, this sounds like my bank! (Sorry Steve).
At the 4 minute mark, a quickly taken free-kick by Alex, found Drew, who ran past his man and neatly volleyed over the advancing keepers head for a good goal from 20 metres.
The next play, Drew put in a good cross but the chance was lost.
Soon after, with Rovers pressing hard, Chris put in a well weighted corner that was superbly volleyed home by Joel.
Three goals in the first 7 minutes was the sort of stuff we dream about and Rovers were definitely playing instinctively, with early balls to the strikers feet, certainly paying dividends.
There was certainly no “power” in the Dynamites forward line as Nick, Joel, Michael Piccoli, Jansen, and Chris repelled all that came their way, and there was little work for Luke in the Rovers goal.
In midfield, Phil, Dion, and Steve were getting plenty of ball and Alex and Drew were well in the play.
Half-time score: Glen Waverley 0 : Rovers 3
After half time Rovers continued on their way with good passing into the forward line, although, like the latter part of the first half, several opportunities went begging.
Alex collected a through ball from Elliott, down the left flank, just over the half-way line, and in a great solo effort beat his man, then the keeper to put away the goal of the day.
With a few rotations off the bench Rovers continued to attack but frittered away chances as players started to hang onto the ball for one or two touches too many allowing the defence closing time. Dion put in a good pass to Phil but the shot was high. Michael Palomares had a couple of chances but they went wide. Phil had another good chance but his header hit the cross bar and bounced out. Nick Vass also had some chances along with Matt, Chris and Alex. Elliot had a few good runs on the left side as play was all one way. Most of the second half Rovers crowded their forward line with players coming into the centre and leaving the flanks open, instead of opening the flanks and leaving the centre open.
Several crosses went unrewarded. Many more shots went begging, as players went through the motions, and the intensity had dropped away.
Scores at full-time: Glen Waverly 0 : Rovers 4
GO ROVERS !! – Next week the big one!!!
Can we be the first team this season to take a point or “3” from League Leaders Knox City.
Let’s all take up the challenge!!!!!!
