Adelaide
University Soccer Club
Round 2 – 21st April 2012
Adelaide University (4) vs (2) Adelaide Wanderers
The Uni
A’s were back to winning ways on Saturday with moments of class that began to
do justice to the squad’s potential and this performance stands them in good
stead for this season. Two second half goals from Wanderers made for a tense
final 20 minutes for the Blacks, but the win was thoroughly deserved. Two goals
from early substitute Chris, a tidy finish from Olly and deflected shot from
Ryan made up the Uni’s 4 goal haul. The Bs went down 2-1 with a long range
effort from Alistair giving the reserves a glimmer of hope, but a solid
Wanderers side held on for the victory. In the Cs it was another 0-0 draw with
the Uni team being desperately unlucky not to have taken the 3 points, despite
putting on a dominating performance with respect to possession and chances.
Starting
Line up Bench
Russ Chris
Sam Greg
Olly Terry
Michael
Paul
Barry
Robbie
Ryan
Andy
Nick
Adam
All morning the grey clouds
had been threatening to soak the Uni grounds and by kick-off a light rain set
in that would last throughout the 90 minutes. Conditions were still decent
despite the on field moisture and the Uni pitch looked in good nick. The game
began with neither side asserting dominance and it was 5 minutes before any
decisive play from either side. The first of the half-chances fall to the
Blacks as Robbie wins a free on the edge of the Wanderers penalty area and Olly
cutting back a cross from wide on the right, both are comfortably gathered by
the away teams keeper. 14′ minutes gone and Ryan continues from where he
left off last weekend and makes it 1-0, as a solid shot from distance
takes a deflection to find the back of the net. Without the deflection the goal
might have been in doubt but the probing run from Ryan showed just the
intensity that the Blacks are looking for today. Moving toward the 20th
minute now and Ryan is brought down outside the box and the resulting
free-kick very nearly puts the Uni 2 goals to the good. The shot whistles just
past the right post as the keeper stood stranded. Wanderers enjoy their first
chance as Uni keeper Andy is forced into a save from a close range effort at
his back post, but the Blacks are definitely on top here. At 24′ minutes
Adam makes way for Chris with a hamstring injury and Chris takes up position
alongside Michael, leading the Black’s attack. Going into half-time and both
sides will be hoping to be more clinical as off-target efforts fall to both
sides. Uni have had the better of it so far but with only a 1 goal buffer at
half time, there’s plenty of football still to play.
Half-time
Adelaide University (1) vs. Adelaide Wanderers (0)
In the first real action of
the half, Uni win a corner which is whipped in towards the penalty area.
Wanderers fail to clear and the ball finds its way to Chris on the edge of the
box, who shows great composure in his finish – placing his shot, low and hard,
through a crowded Wanderers goal to make it 2-0. There was a slight
deflection but the effort was definitely goal bound regardless. Minutes later
it should be 3 goals to the Blacks as some crafty overlap play between Olly and
Barry sees the Uni create a chance at the back post. The resulting shot is
cleared off the line by Wanderers. The linesman signals for a goal but the
referee overrules and play continues. Almost immediately Michael demonstrates
great vision in finding Olly’s run down the right with a beautifully weighted
pass. Olly’s first touch wrong foots the trailing defender and he side foots
home from close range with the keeper bearing down to put the Uni 3 goals to
the good. 3-0 Blacks 5 minutes into the second half. Wanderers waste a
free kick by shooting well over the bar as the game approaches 60′ minutes but
they peg one back when a failed clearance leads to a penalty area scrap and the
Wanderers player gets a shot away to make it 3-1. The Blacks dominance
in the air is telling today and they look sharp on the counter attack. 72′
minutes into the game now, and Michael almost gets on the end of a long
ball which would’ve seen him away on goal, but the Wanderers keeper read the
danger well and came to intercept the pass. The nerves are ramped up for the
Uni team as Wanderers manage to grab a second goal with another close range tap
in after a saved shot is spilled to the back post. 3-2 to Uni with 25
minutes remaining and all of a sudden Wanderers have the momentum they need to
cause Uni problems. Chris very nearly grabs his second goal when a combination
of pace and a well-weighted through ball finds him through on goal. His first
touch makes the angle of the shot a tricky one as the ball goes wide of the
Wanderers goal. The Blacks have responded with fight to Wanderers second goal
and are desperately trying to make the most of their dominance by putting in a
fourth goal. Wanderers are caught out again with the high defensive line as
Michael gets in behind the left back. Michael draws the lone Wanderers defender
out wide before squaring the ball for Chris to finish with class to get his
second and the Blacks fourth. 4-2 Blacks and surely thats put the game
to bed. To Wanderers credit they fight out the final 10 minutes, but fail to
seriously threaten Andy’s goal. The last chance of the game again goes the
Blacks way with more great build up play from Mike, who linked up with Barry
who blast a shot toward goal – only to be thwarted by a great diving save from
the Wanderers keeper. The 90 minutes is up and the referee calls an end to the
game shortly afterward as both rain-soaked teams make their way off the pitch.
Despite the rain it’s all
smiles for Uni who were deserving of their win today, despite a nervous period
after the Wanderers second goal. It’s a solid step back towards their best and
Uni will be particularly pleased with the number of chances they created. Their
pace and build up play when counter-attacking was also first class today and if
they continue to build on the positives from Saturday’s performance, they will
be looking the goods this season.
Full-time
Results
Adelaide University As (4) vs. (2) Adelaide Wanderers
Adelaide University Bs (1) vs. (2) Adelaide Wanderers
Adelaide University Cs (0) vs. (0) Adelaide Wanderers
T. Gissing
