Report by Brandon Hutchinson.
Images by Mark Avellino Photography.
It wasn’t the result our Under 20’s had hoped for last Friday – going down 3-0 to Oakleigh on the road after a loss the week before.
Though from the beginning we were determined to make amends.
We opened with intent and control – mostly playing in our forward half with a few good looks up the wing.
Though a lapse in concentration saw us give a free in close, allowing Oakleigh’s first for the evening.
Down 1-0, we worked hard for the equaliser as we approached the break.
Though Oakleigh clamped down and limited our line on goal, forcing us to find their keeper almost every time.
After half-time we drew an error out of our opposition, allowing ourselves a one-man advantage.
We looked to capitalise, but fell to the wrong side of a few no-calls for the next 20 minutes.
A scuffle on the field – initiated by a push off the play from an Oakleigh player – was ignored by the referee despite a linesman entering the field to stop it.
In the moments preceding, the same player tunnelled our defender in the air, making this a repeated offence.
Beyond that, and a few minor instances throughout, we were caught off-guard.
Our players were frustrated and not receiving reward for effort.
It was around this time that we conceded two goals – both kicked on tight angles – to see out the 3-0 result.
It wasn’t the result we wanted but our boys lifted plenty from last fortnight’s slow start.
Full credit to Oakleigh’s defensive structures and execution – it’s obvious to see why they have conceded so few goals in 2020.
For us, our intensity was there early but we just couldn’t get the chips to fall.
We are determined to return to form next week when we face Altona Magic at home.
Be sure to get down and support the boys this Saturday.
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