Adelaide University Soccer Club
Report by T Gissing

16/06/2012

Adelaide University (1) vs. Stirling (0)

The Uni As were back to winning ways today with a number of players returning from injuries and suspension. It wasn’t a free-flowing affair but the result was well earned, with a neatly taken penalty by Michael Decelis proving the difference between the sides. The Bs could only manage a draw as they conceded late in the game to lose their 1 goal advantage that Shaun Kastelijn had given them. Meanwhile, the Cs remain undefeated and dispatched the Stirling Cs with a comfortable 2-0 win. Joe Begaj hit home both goals and came tantalisingly close to his second hat trick of the season but failed to convert from the penalty spot and was denied by a great save from the Stirling keeper.

 

            Starting Line up                     Bench
            Ryan Lewis                              Cameron Shields
            Nick Kalatzis                            Terry Taye
            Oliver Gissing                          Shaun Kasteslijn
            Andrew Norman
            Paul Decelis
            Michael Decelis
            Rasoul Ahmady
            Ali Showman
            Chis Hewitson
            Adam Wilkinson
            Dimitrius Kalatzis

What began as a bright, sunny day was slowly becoming more overcast as dark clouds began to roll in by the time the As kicked off at 3pm. The first corner of the game goes to the Blacks when Olly Gissing is doing his trademark work wide on the right hand side. Nothing comes of it and minutes later Stirling have a corner up the other end that doesn’t amount to much either. 10 minutes in and there’s great intensity from the Uni midfield and the clean, hard tackles will keep the Stirling mid fielders on their toes today. Returning from injury, Adam Wilkinson looks hungry up front, and has his first chance with a quarter of an hour elapsed. Running in on goal from the right on a decent angle, he can’t get his shot on target and it goes wide of the far post. Olly has a similar chance soon after when Ryan Lewis threads a through ball to meet his run, but the shot again goes across goal. With Mike Decelis dropped deeper into the Uni formation, and Ryan and Adam leading the attack, the Uni look to have good shape and balance this week. Its’ reflected in the early part of the game as the Blacks are getting the better of it. At 20 minutes Ali plays a great ball from inside the Uni half to send Adam away on goal. The keeper comes to challenge Adams run and fails to get any of the ball, bringing Adam down in the process. The penalty is awarded and Mike dispatches it with ease. 1-0 Uni. Adam continues to cause problems with his pace and wins another free kick when he is held back making a run down the line. It’s one of a number of niggling fouls that are breaking the game up. Uni snatch at a half chance with a shot from close range going well over the bar, after a cross was headed back across goal by Ryan. Stirling are able to get in a few crosses from deep but they’re unable to find their attackers in the Uni box. 33′ minutes gone and Ryan goes close with a shot from the edge of the box after burning his marker for pace. Paul is the first man in the book after the referee claims he was time-wasting. Stirling have a good chance near the end of the first half when their striker tries a side foot chip after getting on the end of a loose ball in the Uni penalty area but the shot goes over the bar. Stirling are relying heavily on their right sided attack this half while Uni are spreading the play better overall. The first half comes to an end with Paul having a decent shot towards goal and Olly riding a bad challenge that sees a Stirling player cautioned with a yellow card.

 

Half-time
Adelaide Uni. (1) vs. (0) Stirling

Olly again features in the first significant action of the half when Olly is away in space on the right side and forgoes the shot to cut back a ball for Ryan, but he’s marked heavily and Uni can’t get the shot away. The Blacks are enjoying space in their attacking third here and Dave Baker will be hoping they can make their mark early in this half with a second goal. The rain starts coming in at the 55′ minute mark and spectators make for cover. Paul picks up a knock 20 minutes into the second half and appears to be labouring quite a bit as a result. It might be the rain, but both teams are having a sloppy period here and not getting the ball down and playing as they can. Cameron Shields replaces Paul after a gutsy effort in the midfield, with 67′ minutes gone and immediately Cam looks lively off the bench. 5 minutes after he takes to the field, Cameron is away on goal, chasing down a bouncing ball and it’s only the keeper he needs to beat. The keeper again comes out to challenge and fails to get any of the ball, but makes plenty of contact with Cameron. It’s just outside the area and the free kick is awarded as the Stirling keeper picks up a yellow card and a thorough talking to from the referee. A lot of Uni players will feel that there were arguments for a straight red for that challenge. The free kick is hit into the wall and cleared. Towards the end of the second half and it’s a tighter affair but no great chain of possession or good chances for either side. Adam has another half chance when he turns on the spot and shoots inside the box but can’t get his shot on target. Towards the death of the game, Cameron takes another big hit and there’s cards for both Uni and Stirling players for mistimed tackles. In extra-time Tim Argent makes a great tackle to stop a threatening attacking move from Stirling and it proves to be the last significant action of the game.

 

Uni started with promise today and played some decent stuff, but it was a closer game than it could have been. There’ll be sore bodies on both sides after the physicality with which the midfield possession was contested, but it was a game played in good spirit. Final props to Ali “The Salmon” Showman, for a well earned best on ground with some great no-nonsense tackling and dominant work in the air.

 

Full-time

As: Adelaide Uni. (1) vs. Stirling (0)

Bs: Adelaide Uni. (1) vs. Stirling (1)

Cs: Adelaide Uni. (2) vs. Stirling (0)

T. Gissing