The
clash of the Titans saw the top two teams in the Vodafone State
League Division 3 fight it out for a massive 3pts on offer for the
victor at Kim Reserve this week. After losing against Corio the
previous week, Altona had no other choice but to make amends against
the league leaders. The build up to this week was anything but
rudimentary, as players were reprimanded by the coach for
participating in other activities, and senior players making
themselves available which now seems like a full squad to choose
from. There was no need to motivate yourself for this match, as a soggy warm up led by Danny Benac, must have kick started some fuel in the boys, as the opening whistle blew, Altona pressed forward from the onset, and from the first attacking play, Marijan Cvitkovic paved his way through a couple of players, and a deep cross found Zak Tountas at the back post to head into an unguarded net. Altona 1-0 up in the first few minutes. As the waves of confusion woke up the Greens defence, Altona struck again, when Zak found some room down the left, his cross found Danny on the edge of the box. His sidestep took the ball on his left foot, and his strike, went in off the underside of the crossbar to the roar of the Altona fans, as he went to the hill in celebration. The Greens were thinking deja vu, ala Round 5. The Greens were playing a very attacking midfield and they started to get into the game through quick counter attacking style. Phil Alterelli was tested after a rocket of a shot was destined to the back of the net, and just when it looked as though Phil could not come across to cover it, a desperate dive palmed the ball away for a corner. Midway through the first half, Adam Cimino rose to a high challenge deep into the attacking half but managed to cop the back of a Greens defenders head which sliced his chin open, which would earn him 3 stitches from the doctors later that night
The Greens midfield, with their passing ability, always looked dangerous, and with a few players cheating behind the play, Altona always looked vulnerable in leaking in a goal. The half wore on, with Altona still in the lead by two when just before half time, the Greens got the ball into the box, and their diminutive striker turned, a little too quick for Feta Memishi, and his leg caught the side of the striker and a penalty was awarded. With the spot kick, Phil managed to get a hand on the ball, and save the rebound as well, as the Greens kick taker came charging on. Deja vu strikes again, and it would seem that no matter what the Greens through at Altona, it would not be there day. The half time whistle blew as Altona took a deserved break.
Charlie Egan made some defensive changes and took off John Little and put Adrian Denys in the middle of the park to strengthen tighten up the midfield, and basically close up shop. This left Chris Cullen as the lone striker with Marijan and Zak assisting in the attacks as necessary. The game was still close in the second half, as the Greens pushed on a little more as Altona stepped off the pedal, and were happy to consume the defensive position.
Altona were out to play the counter attacking game, and 15 minutes in, it paid dividends when Chris, who had worked hard all day, managed to find some space in the box and latch the ball past the Greens keeper to put Altona up 3-0. The fat lady nearly started to warm up, as Altona looked to take home the 3 points but the next 20 minutes proved anything but ordinary.
The Greens to their credit found the back of the net after a series of failed clearances from the Altona defence, and after numerous deflections, the ball was in the back of the net from a Greens players hip. This seems to spark some life into the Greens, as they threw defenders forward in vain to close the goal difference, and after a neat through ball into the strikers path, their nippy striker sneaked a toe in before Feta or Ivan could make, and the ball found its way into the back of the net under Phil’s body. The fat lady sat down, as the Greens applied the pressure to get some points from the game, and came from within whiskers, after a shot hit the post and came back out, and crosses were cleared on dangerous positions. The arm wrestle continued until the Adam played a ball over the top of the Greens defence and caught them napping. As the Greens keeper came out, Chris managed to reach the ball before him, and the keeper had no other option but to bring him down. A resulting red card was shown to the keeper after he took out Chris. The Greens' reserve keeper came on for the Greens, and made a few blunders early on, and with 5 minutes remaining, the reserve keeper tied his teams own noose after attempting to clear the ball hit Chris and the resulting ball was tapped into an empty net with Chris' follow up, 4-2 to Altona, and the fat lady was singing.
The final whistle blew to what was an emphatic win for Altona in front of their home fans.
A team effort this week saw the team get over the line, however, brilliant performances from Marijan and Chris this week must get a special mention. Marijan, having gone through an indifferent patch of form, returned to his absolute best on the weekend, and host menacing runs and taunting of the opposition on that right flank was a joy to see. Chris, battled all day, and finished the match on a high with 2 goals,
Congratulations again to the boys, as next week see us travel to Sunbury for our Round 17 clash.
Until next week, have a good one.
Gaffer