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Sunday 25/09/05
Perrywoods Utd 5-4 Rock FC
After a week without a match, Perrywoods Under 13s were up and ready for this weeks challenge of Rock FC. Perrywoods started the brighter and had Rock on the back foot immediately from the kick-off. It wasn't long before Perrywoods had their first goal of the game, Luke Perigo quickest to react to a loose ball in the 6-yard box to give Perrywoods a 1-0 advantage.
With the Perrywoods defensive line holding firm and some brave clearance headers and great defending by Damian Nikolic, the team were looking comfortable. Midway through the first half, a foul just outside the Perrywoods area gave Rock FC a good opportunity to even the score. However, an excellent save by David Djillian (one of many during the game) kept Perrywoods ahead. Shortly after a ball over the top saw Jonathan Batham out run the Rock defence to go one on one with the keeper. A cheeky lob was initially kept out by the Rock keeper but Jonathan was quick to pick up the rebound and slide it in to the net, 2-0.
With a minute to go in the first half, a quick throw in by Rock caught the Perrywoods defence out of position and allowed Rock striker Toby James to slot the ball wide of David Djillian to make the score 2-1 at half time.
Having gained a goal just before half time, Rock came out for the second half looking to continue where they had left off. Within minutes of the restart, Max Addison on the right wing for Rock, had outpaced the Perrywoods defence to place the ball past the Perrywoods keeper to even the score at 2-2. With their tails up, Rock piled on the pressure and even though it was end-to-end stuff, it was always the Perrywoods defence that looked the more vulnerable. With Perrywoods pressing to regain the lead it was the Rock winger Max Addison who broke free again on the right to run at goal. With David Djillian running to meet the oncoming winger, Max pulled the ball back to Frazer Danlon, to slot the ball, unchallenged, in to the net. 2-3 to Rock.
A defensive change round saw Damien Nikolic move to man-mark Max and stop any more attacks down the right. However, further defensive frailties were exposed when a corner was only cleared to the edge of the Perrywoods 18 yard box. Perrywoods defence stood still giving Curtis Adams a clear shot, which he took well, placing it just inside the post, 2-4 to Rock.
With the clock running down it was another Perrywoods ball over the top that was pounced on by Jonathan Batham. Running at the keeper, Jonathan was brought down from behind, penalty to Perrywoods. Josh Hirons stepped up and placed the ball, took his run and slammed it down the centre of the goal, 3-4.
This galvanised Perrywoods back in to action and gave them strength to take the fight to Rock. Several speculative efforts from Josh Hirons, Daniel Weir and Kalman Dean-Richards were close. With five minutes to go, Zach Rock (no relation to the opposition) put a great pass through to Jonathan Batham, which saw him again outrun the defence and place the ball wide of the on rushing Rock keeper to even up the score at 4-4.
With only a couple of minutes left, both side were showing nerves, but in the last minute, Jonathan picked up the ball out on the left just past the half way line and with a determined run, headed straight for goal. With defenders unable to keep pace, he calmly paced the ball in the far corner of the net to give Perrywoods the 5-4 victory. Indeed there was only time for Rock to kick off before the final whistle.
This was an excellent game and I have no doubt that Rock FC will feel they were mugged in the last 5 minutes. A draw may have been a fair result, however, on the day, Perrywoods took the 3 points. As for man of the match, this week it could have been any number, Damian who was excellent in defence. Daniel McNamara who had a great game in midfield, and David put in another good performance in goal. However, I think everyone agreed that Jonathan, for his determination (and 3 goals) was man of the match.