Never mind the weather forecast it was a great day for football at Cawley Park, with both sides at home for some big matches against Enzed Brewers and Oak Flats Falcons.
Russell Vale United
First up was United playing another top of the table clash against Enzed Brewers… The Brewers were a young side, and on the evidence could play a bit, but despite their nippiness didn’t hold onto the ball as much as they would have like with United dominating possession and field position. Enzed reverted to using their speed to play on the break, and it paid off with a ball bouncing out of a tackle to a player on the edge of the box, his shot was well hit and dipped a foot before it got to Marty deceiving him and hitting the back of the net. 1-0 down at half time.
United came out for the next half hoping to get an early goal to achieve parity, but despite a number of chances nothing paid off and with 20 minutes to go they were still down by the one goal. United were also starting to struggle for fit players with Hollers going off with what looks like a collar bone injury and Craig feeling something go in the knee and having to go off.
It was starting to become a real struggle for United as Enzed were looking to close the game down by playing deep and breaking quickly. A tactical switch saw Tony move up front again, and Enzed began to open up a little. A number of chances fell to United in the final few minutes which went close but to no avail. It was beginning to look like United would suffer their first loss of the season as things were just not going their way, but in the dying seconds Tony managed to get free of the defence and into the box. A composed finish saw the ball hit the back of the net, 1-1 and United’s persistence had paid off.
That was it, the final kick of the game, and it ended 1-1. Well done United, hopefully Hollers’ and Craig’s injuries aren’t too bad.
Russell Vale FC
FC were facing Oak Flats Falcons, last years’ Masters Division 2 minor premiers who’d started the season off pretty well and were sitting in fifth position on the table. FC meanwhile were in second, hoping to keep pace with Bulli FC.
The game started off slowly with FC looking a little sluggish from last weeks double header. Oak Flats had a couple of breaks that threatened but the FC defence which has only conceded twice were able to keep the falcons at bay. 18 minutes in FC scored the first goal of the match with a through ball to Chappo and a nice little finish with the left foot, and it was 1-0. Six minutes later and it was two, with Aaron opening and letting the ball run across opening the defence. Another left foot finish into the far corner of the net. That goal brought some relief as FC were starting to get out of first gear.
The third goal came from some lovely interplay at the edge of the box with Wisey bringing the ball down and knocking it wide to Matt to toe punt the ball into the back of the net. Shortly thereafter Aaron played a great ball in from the left of the goal to Chappo who put the ball past the keeper for 4-0.
FC seemed to slip back a gear from that point and Oak Flats started to have some attacking opportunities, but it wasn’t until the last minute of the half that they made FC pay for dropping off. A ball inside to Jason saw him fall vicitim to the renowned Cawley Park bounce with the ball getting stuck under his feet. During the subsequent tussle, he was adjudged to have handled the ball and a penalty was given. Nothing Dave could do about the penalty and the teams went into half time with the score at 4-1.
The teams came back out from the half time break with FC looking to increase the pace beyond the sluggishness of the last 10 minutes of the first half and finish the game off. It took a little while but a great through ball to Aaron saw him in the box with no-one around him and just the keeper to beat. Instead of shooting, he unselfishly squared the ball to Neil who put the easiest of tap ins into the net. After 60 minutes, a 30m ball from Dummo found Chappo on the right of the goals. A great cross off his wrong foot and the ball was in the back of the via Aaron’s head. A great goal and that made it 6-1.
Less than a minute later Aaron made time for himself on the edge of the box before hitting a shot on goal. It deflected off a couple, and Neil sensing another opportunity steamed in to but the ball in the net. 7-1 and three players, Neil, Chappo and Aaron were looking for their hattrick goal.
It duly came on 65m, when Aaron ran through the defence and slotted home. 8-1 will 25 minutes still to come. It went pretty quiet from then on with FC taking the foot off the pedal, and playing as if conserving energy for next week’s double against Bulli and the Cronulla Seagulls. There was still time for one more with a lovely cross from Aaron finding Neil in the box, the ball was knocked back into Mikey’s path who drilled it into the back of the net. 9-1 and that’s how the game finished.
Well done boys, and with Bulli drawing 3-3 with the Makos it leaves us only one point in arrears with a much superior goal difference of +28 (compared to +17 for Bulli). Everything to play for next week.
