Cup round – 9th March 2012
St. Peters College (4) vs. (4) Adelaide University
The Blacks progressed into the next round of the cup on Friday night with a hard
fought draw. St Peters proved tough opposition, with the determination and
fight of the Uni players proving the difference. A brace for both Paul and
Michael left the final score at 4-4, with the uni advancing in the competition
based on goal difference.
Starting Line up Bench
Andy Jamie
Nick Terry (61′)
Sam Luke
Russ Javi (61′)
Olly Bas (78′)
Chris(Sub 61′)
Paul
Barry
Greg (Sub 61′)
Michael
Namat (Sub 78′)
The game kicks off at a few
minutes before 7.00pm. The Kilburn pitch looks
a fresh shade of green and mild weather conditions make it a great night
for football. The first chance of the game falls to St. Peters with what will
become the first of many threatening long throws. The eventual volley is
blasted wide by the St. Peters forward. A scrappy opening 20 minutes ensues,
with many balls being contested in the air. St. Peters begin to string some
passes together but the feeling is that it will take a stroke of luck to break
the nil all deadlock. Olly is making a number of threatening runs down the
right flank but the final ball is not finding a home. The tense opening to the
game is blown right open when the Blacks concede a penalty for pushing in the
goal mouth while defending a set piece. St. Peters make no mistake and it’s 1-0
at the 15′ minute mark.
After going behind the
fight from the Uni is evident but St. Peters are closing down well, making it
difficult for the trailing team to get their passing game going. A yellow card
is shown to the Blacks for what the referee judges to be a cynical foul.
Minutes later, the Blacks win a corner which is beaten away by the St. Peters
defense. Only to be gathered on the edge of the area by a Uni player, who makes
a well weighted pass to put Paul through on the right side of the St. Peters
box. With plenty to do, Paul takes a deft touch and makes no mistake with the
finish, blasting the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 with 35′ gone.
The Uni are plainly
gathering momentum now coming into half time and not 2 minutes later, some hard
work from Namat on the right side of attack, results in a turnover near the St.
Peters goal. Namat goes on to break away down the left and unselfishly forgoes
the shot to cut back a beautiful ball for Michael to slot home. The Uni go into
the half-time break 2-1 ahead.
Half-time
St. Peters (1) vs. (2)
Adelaide Uni.
Immediately after the
interval, St. Peters threaten once more from a cross with a diving save made by
the Blacks keeper, conceding another corner to the home team. At the 60′ minute
mark both teams are struggling to create clear cut chances. Olly manages to win
a 50/50 in the middle of the park and break free down the right hand side and
play a ball inside but the Blacks are unable to capitalise. More crosses are
raining in from St. Peters and the ball bobbles out to an unmarked St. Peters
player on the edge of the area who fires hard and low to Andy’s right. The
Blacks keeper pulls off another good save but the ball is gathered on the
rebound off as St. Peters take the opportunity to level the game at 2-2 with
65′ minutes gone. The Blacks have barely rallied from the equalising goal
when St. Peters whip in a well placed cross to the back post of the Blacks
goal, which is headed home to put St. Peters back in front. 3-2 after 67′ minutes.
The goals are flowing now despite both teams not playing their best football,
the chances are being snatched up when they present themselves. The Uni manager
decides it’s time for a change as Greg and Chris make way for Javi and Terry
respectively. Minutes later, Uni survive another scare as a close range effort
is cleared off the line by Russ. The long balls into the area are continuing to
cause problems for Uni but Terry is having an impact down the left side, making
some penetrating runs into the opposing half. On the opposing flank, Michael is
through down the wing, only to be brought down by the St. Peters left back, who
is promptly shown a yellow card for a badly mistimed tackle. Javi settles over
the ball and curles in a great cross for Michael to flick on past the stranded
St. Peters keeper. The 6th goal of the game squares up for the
Blacks at 3-3 with the momentum swinging in their favour. 73′ minutes
in now and the Blacks continue to threaten as Namat is replaced by Bas up
front. Nick wins a hard fought 50/50 at the back and gets the clearance away to
Michael, who plays a through ball to put Terry into space down the left hand
side. The cutback ball is cleared for a corner but the Blacks are starting to
hit their straps. Another instance of contested possession is won by the
Blacks, as Terry threads a ball through to Javi in the centre of the park. Javi
shows composure and switches the ball out to the right for Paul to collect.
Just when the impetuous seems to have come out of the counter-attack, Paul
shows great awareness to lift the ball into the far corner of the net from well
outside the box, out wide on the right flank. The hapless St. Peters keeper can
only watch the ball sail over his head. 3-4 Blacks with less than 10
minutes left. The sense is that the Blacks may have done enough to put the
game to bed, but almost instantly, a half-chance on the edge of the Uni area is
snapped up by St. Peters with a volley fired to the keepers left to bring the
game level at 4-4 once again. Moments later, the referees blast on the
whistle signals the end of a thrilling game.
The Blacks go through on
goal difference and with plenty left to give after tonight, the Uni side are
looking in good shape to make a run at the Cup. The boys showed great fight
tonight and the effort was evident throughout the 90 minutes.
Full-time
St. Peters (4) vs. Adelaide
Uni. (4)
T. Gissing
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