North Caulfield vs Doncaster Rovers 17th August
Proudly sponsored by Wet Water Pools
This was the “make up” round but not the “kiss and make up” sort. It was good to arrive at the grounds to sunshine and a dry pitch with some grass on it. Pity about the lazy wind, it had the ice in it for sure as all the spectators could attest to.
Rovers started out into the wind and from the start had most of the general play with the defense on top with Luke, Matt, Nik, Michael Pic, and Joel repelling anything that came their way. In the centres Chris, Phil, Alex, and Drew were sharing the ball with some good passes and up front Nick Vass and Steve were keeping the defense on their toes. After about 10 minutes of end to end play Alex charged down a kick just forward of the centre and dribbled forwards around another defender to run at the goalie and get the ball past for a terrific goal.
North Caulfield had a couple of opportunities as the ball was going long distances with the wind, one free kick from 20 metres out went straight into our wall and was easily repelled. Rovers then went forwards and got the free but Nik’s shot just went over the bar. Nth Caulfield kept attacking and received two corners from play where Rovers should have at least forced the ball out wide for a throw in. On the second corner Luke went up for the catch but the bal just carried through his hands to drop for a simple tap in by the alert NC player, as the Rovers defense stood motionless and watched.
Just before half-time Michael Pal came on for Nick Vass and Elliot replaced the injured Chris, who had a twinge in the hammy.
Half – time: North Caulfield 1 : Doncaster Rovers 1
After the break Rovers came out determined to put another score on the board and attacked the ball with more intensity, this resulted in several free kicks to Rovers as Nth Caulfield was under more pressure. Alex took the first free but only chipped the ball slowly to the keeper. The next free taken by Nik lobbed the ball neatly just over the wall, allowing Alex to run onto the ball and lob it over the goalie into the back of the net.
There were several good passages of play by all the boys as they contested every issue, Pala forced a corner with good bodywork over the ball. Elliot had several good runs down the left. Alex put in a good cross that Steve almost got a head to. Michael Pic and Joel were solid down back and Matt was on top on the right.
However the save of the day had to go to Matt’s dad Gary who ran out of the park twice to rescue the only good ball Nth Caulfield had to play with!!
Nth Caulfield were pressing to make the equalizer and had a couple of chances but Luke was up to the task on one occasion and the ball well wide on the other. In the end it was a well deserved win by Rovers to get back into third position on the ladder. We had enough play to get at least one more goal but could not make the space on the forward line to put the ball away. Keep up the good play boys and take your chances.
Scores at full-time: North Caulfield 1 : Doncaster Rovers 2
GO ROVERS! .......... Keep up the good team play!
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