MATCHDAY 15 ATHERTON F.C. v STRATFORD UNITED F.C. 13TH JULY 2013 Eagles Eye the Top Spot It was cold, wet and windy conditions that welcomed Stratford United to Atherton on Friday night to continue the contest that concluded in Stratford United’s favour in round two of the competition way back in April. Still smarting from the Eagle’s only league defeat of the season, this was an opportunity to exact some modicum of revenge and maintain the pressure on league leaders Innisfail United who were not playing this weekend. It was two football sides of similar styles that kicked off in conditions that make football exciting to watch, slippery conditions makes for great football. Atherton captain Johnny Wilkinson won the toss and elected to kick into the wind in the first half, with chances coming and going at both ends of the pitch, Atherton goalkeeper Luke Centofanti and Stratford keeper Joel Woodcock were well involved in the game for the early part. With the Eagles defence makeshift, for the second week in succession, it was that unfamiliarity that brought on the uncertainty, when the defence failed to close down Stratford striker Damien Woodcock, who unleashed a venomous shot that Centofanti got a strong hand to, but could only deflect the ball into net on the fifteen minute mark. An early goal to the visitors knocked the Eagles on their collective heels and gave Stratford that impetus that teams desire. Alarm bells should have been ringing for the Eagles, if they were, they weren’t heeded, because when only 10 minutes later, with the Atherton defence failing to clear their lines, it was with the strikers instinct, that man again, Damien Woodcock who latched on to the ball to drive home his and Stratford’s second of the night. The visitors had taken a 2-0 lead after only 25 minutes. The Eagles had dug themselves a very big hole and now needed to find a way out of it. It was now a time for cool heads to prevail and Atherton has its fair share. In footballing terms 2-0 is a very dangerous scoreline, complacency can rear its ugly head. It was imperative that the Eagles got on to the scoresheet prior to the half time break. It was with this in mind, that Atherton finally composed themselves from the half hour mark and started to play the style of football that has served them well this season. Atherton striker Alberto Homann finally gave the home crowd something to warm their collective hands with, following a well worked goal in the 35th minute when he received the ball from the midfield and found himself on a one on one situation with the Stratford defender Joshua Mason, Homann dropped a shoulder to outwit Mason and with the Stratford keeper exposed, Homann calmly stroked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. The relief was palpable and the goal served as a platform for further heroics later in the match. The Eagles had their tails up and were looking for prey. Half time score: Atherton Eagles 1 v Stratford Dolphins 2 With the Eagles needing to improve in the second half, the weather wasn’t playing its part, as the weather worsened. With the Eagles needing to control the game, it was a much resolute side that forced a free kick just five minutes into the second half, some 30 meters out from the Stratford goal line, this following some lusty tackles from the under pressure, Stratford side. Up strode the skipper Johnny Wilkinson to drive the ball goalwards, with the howling wind to his back, the ball rocketed towards goal only to glance of the top of the defenders head into his own goal, leaving Stratford shaking their heads at their misfortunate. The Atherton Eagles cared not a jot and were ecstatic to be back on level terms, after being down 2-0 and at the bottom of a very deep hole. With Referee Martin Tilley allowing the game to flow, aware of the slippery conditions, players were sliding in and putting their bodies on the line and at the same time tested the referees’ patience. It was following one of these lusty tackles that the referee decided he had, had enough, booking Stratford defender Joshua Mason for an overzealous tackle. No doubt he was still embarrassed, from his failure to deal with the Homann goal. The game was ebbing and flowing, with chances for both sides, the deadlock was broken in the 65th minute when Homann latching on to a through ball from central defender Adam Higgins, and with some great close ball control found himself confronted by an onrushing Stratford goalkeeper only to see the ball lobbed over his outstretched frame to cross the line, beating the desperate lunge of the retreating defenders. The Eagles had come back from being 2-0 down to nose themselves into the lead for the first time in the match. The game then took a dramatic turn just three minutes later, when Joshua Mason again got himself a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle, earning himself his second red card of the season. This ill discipline was to cost the undermanned Stratford dearly, because less than 10 minutes later, Homann secured his hatrick by beating the offside trap and keeper to glide the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net, the game had reached its climax with a much improved Atherton Eagles sealing the three points and maintaining the pressure on Innisfail United, who are now just 1 point ahead albeit with a game in hand. Final Score: Atherton 4 v Stratford United 2 Goalscorers: Atherton: Alberto Homann (35, 65, 82) Stratford United: Damien Woodcock (15, 25), Own goal (50) Referee: Mr. Martin Tilley Referees MVP: Alberto Homann (Atherton) 3 points Adam Sinner (Stratford) 2 points Lewis Short (Atherton) 1 point The squad for the night was Johnny Wilkinson (C), Judd Larcombe, Luke Centofanti, Lewis Short, Amos Smith, Adam Higgins, Calem Sorenson, Ross Honeyman, Peter Cuda, Bodhi Peacey, Aaron Mead, Jamie Cuda, Alberto Homann, Kyle Whiteley, Nat Cuda and Joson Curcio. The Eagles next home match v Forest Garden Wolves next Friday night, kick off 8.00pm at the Atherton International Club.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 08:46:54 +0000
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