This
Round 13 blockbuster, saw second play fifth, and would be a make or
break for both teams as promotion chances were a real boost for the
winner. Last weeks great win at home to Western Eagles was hoping to
be the springboards for Altona’s charge for a run of wins, as Lalor
were hoping to bounce back after a shock loss to Albion. The City
fans were looking at consolidating their team position at the top of
the ladder and anything less than 3 points would be a
disappointment. The starting line-up was again under the microscope
as players were returning from injury.The opening whistle blew to commence the first half and both teams struggled to get a grip on the game. The tight ground and conditions did not allow for pretty play, as the defences played ping pong with each other. The midfields from both sides were non existent as long balls to strikers were the avenues to goals. Altona looked more likely to get the opening goal as they peppered the goal from crosses and corners, but unable to get onto anything. The forward pair of John Little and Chris Cullen were hassling the Lalor defence and created openings with hard work. The best chance of the first 25 minutes fell to Chris Cullen when his 1 on 1 shot went over the bar as the young striker tried to chip the incoming keeper. After 30 minutes, Lalor took the lead when a sleeping Altona defence did not handle a corner, and a Lalor player got onto the end of the cross to cut back for the Lalor striker to make it 1-0. This surprise shock left the visitors reeling, but could not get any cohesion into their play to make an impact on the scoreboard.
The half time whistle blew as Charlie Egan sprayed his troops and ordered the Adam Cimino and Marijan Cvitkovic to take an early shower for poor performances. Adrian Denys and James Dossis were the replacements as the boys needed to gain the upper hand in the second half. The second half began pretty much the same way as the first, but this time, Lalor were looking the stronger side, able to pass the ball around a little more, and to for their efforts, went 2-0 up after 65 minutes. A Lalor player found himself inside the penalty box with too much room around him and his shot rebounded off the cross bar and fell invitingly for the Lalor striker to shoot into an unguarded net. The home side were looking the goods until the game changed tempo. After peppering the Lalor goal for most of the match, John Little hooked onto a ball in the penalty box, and the shot found itself through a sea of players, and into the back of the net. 2-1 and game on said the fans. Before the Altona fans could settle their emotions, that man again, John Little, popped up, and again in similar fashion, got his foot to the ball and past the keeper in a traditional poacher’s goal to level the scores with 10 remaining. Altona now had all the run of play, and found the winner through Danny Benac who had played an important part of match working tirelessly down the right flank. He latched onto a loose ball in the penalty box and drove a left shot into the roof of the net to send the travelling supporters dancing on the sidelines. Lalor had just had the air punched out of their sails as Altona played out the final minutes.
The dressing rooms had never been this vocal all year as the club song was belted out of all the players’ mouths. Congratulations gents, as the Altona boys keep track with the leaders.
I hope you have a good week, until next time, this is the Gaffer signing out.
Gaffer