MR robbed in dying minutes for a draw

June 29, 2010 on 6:05 am | In MATCH REPORTS | Comments Off

By Stuart McKay
The skies clear for another glorious day of football on Sunday. Margaret River hosted Dalyellup in a clash in 5th versed 6th spot on the SW Times on the men’s premier league table.

The game was always going to be a test of depth for the Margaret River players, as two players from Margaret Rivers back line were absent.

With MR’s usual keeper John Malpas injured Stuart McKay limped into goals for the second week intent on keeping a clean sheet.

Shogo Maida replaced Jon (the butcher) Richards as sweeper and Danny Kaleta became our number one (hit man and man marker) on Dalyellup 6’8”inches center forward that left Gordon Becker and Ned Allington right and left backs. Only one element was missing from the back line and that was height.

Any doubts the MR keeper may have being out done in the air were short lived. The whole back line played out of their boots and grew 6inches from their toes.

The midfield engine room needed its tappets topping up after the first half. A creative flair and composure of the midfield was pure quality. Combined with the wingers of Jay Allington and Woody Hangartner both making great runs up and down the mark.

Now much of this MR hype was reflected back at them by pump and pressure on the ball by Dalyellup.

Dalyellup’s forward line was switching all over the park; it took a few minutes for the new back line to get settled Dalyellup were unable to capitalise on these lapses in the defence, especially when a midfielder was crossed the ball to his feet directly in front in goal only to launch it over the crossbar, much to the relief of the bellowing crowd and MR keeper.

That was probably the best chance of a goal in first half for both teams with both keepers kept keenly on their toes in many occasions.

Some controversy occurred 30 minutes into the game when Lee Gaynor was one on one with the last man in defence and was chopped down just outside the 18yard box. Mandatory red card was bill boarded amongst the crowd as the ref reached for his yellow pocket.

The free kick by Alex Costa went wide. The score at half time reflected a very close contest and anyone’s game for the second half. Half time score 0 – 0.

The intensity of the game somehow jumped up to another level as the coach’s half time talk injected fresh adrenelin into all 22 players on the park. The crowd was loving it! It was Dalyellup that had early chances with goalkeeper mistakes in the air. Fortunately for FMR cleaned up by the ever-reliable sweeper Shogo Maida.

FMR hit back with rebound football that allowed several corners, the first was the old combo or Woody Hagartner and Danny Kaleta, with the latter just missing the header home.

The game was drifting like a lost ship at sea. Uncertainty wafted in the doldrums of a nil all draw. From nowhere the crowd witnessed a cannonball emerge from the MR keeper to find a screaming Alex Costa who ran onto it and chipped over the Dalyellup keeper. The crowd erupted in bellows of joy as MR took the lead.

With 20 mins still remaining Dalyellup had plenty of time to peg one back. It seemed however that Dalyellup was sinking because MR dominated the play only to be denied by the keeper or woodwork several times.

With 2 mins to go Dalyellup was rewarded a corner kick. The ball floats across a four set wave of MR heads only to be hit by a double up ‘that rockets the ball past the keeper and man on the back post. Final score 1 all.

Brilliant game to watch, play and write about MR. Thanks to Mattinson Plumbing for sponsoring best player, its always hard to pick and I will share it with the players!
Bring that competitive spirit next week lads!

River swamps Hay Park

June 15, 2010 on 5:30 am | In MATCH REPORTS | Comments Off

With World Cup fever well under way Margaret River’s multinational team took to the field on Sunday afternoon intent on progressing to the next round of the SWSA Pioneer Cup.

Standing in their way, Hay Park United, a team that recently won the their last 3 games convincingly.

From kickoff River looked sharp, passing and running with the ball with the confidence of a team that has played together for years.

It was obvious our Brazilian import Alex Costa was surely missed last week in Collie because combined with Sam Parrot and one of our British lads Simon Corke in the midfield River was flowing full strength with confidence and possession.

The crowd could sense it was only moments away from a River goal. What started from the backline with Jon Richards clearing to Woody Hangartner on the wing who gives to Glenn Skyrme (at left) outside the 18 yrd box.

Glenn seems to just rush past two defenders like a breeze on water and fire in a low shot to the corner of the goal. Score is 1-0.

Hay Park were determined to peg the difference back even but the defence of Margaret River was rock solid.

In fact the defensive attack of Shogo Maida overlapping with Jay Allington on the right wing to cross the ball from deep in Hay Park’s defensive half was nothing short of the play of the day.

It was met by Sam Parrott who calmly slotted the second for River.

With the rules of this cup game allowing for both teams to have rolling interchange MRiver was making the most of its 5 substitutes.

Our super sub Danny Kaleta made a huge impact in the midfield as soon as he went on and resulting in the second goal from his tough and strong play. MRiver went to the half time break knowing the game was far from over.

The second half saw little change to the intensity that was being played by both teams.

However Hay Park to its credit had more chances than the first half and kept Jon Malpas on his toes in goals.

At one point in the game a powerful shot from just outside the box having to be deflected over the crossbar.

Lee Gaynor (at left) from Ireland was stitching potato sacks from his oppostion with boundless runs in the forward line.

Our third goal came when what seemed to be a bad tackle on Alex Costa turned out to be hand ball in the penalty area. Simon Corke stepped up to kick an unconvincing penalty goal and a comfortable 3-0 scoreline.

Several injuries allowed more subs in Gordo and Harrison to come on. Gordo replacing Woody who was sublime in defence until forced off with injury.

Harrison was unlucky not to score a fourth goal after lobbing the keeper only to hit the crossbar and bounce back to the keeper. The final score was 3-0 to MRiver. Best on ground for River was Sam Parrott.

This week we play Hay Park again in Bunbury. All spectators welcome. Bus leaves 11.00am front of Aquatic Centre.