Crackerjack Encounter Between Youth Giants

Written by Patrick Marzohl Friday, 16 September 2011 07:18

Match Reports - Youth League Boys

Margaret River AllStars 3 def Busselton United 2

The last game of the 2011 league season was played in brilliant spring sunshine, and for only the third time this year the team was complete. Preparation for this silver medal decider was not ideal with both training sessions needed to be cancelled due to illness to the coach.

The teams were full of contrasts: the full Margaret River squad faced a depleted Busselton team of nine players and an attacking home side met defensive-minded visitors. An all predictable outcome therefore? While game statistics were overwhelmingly in favor of the AllStars, efficiency was Busselton’s game.

From only four shots on target, they put two into the back of Cade Thompson’s net. Margaret River recorded 26 shots and scored three times. The AllStars dominated but struggled to find a way through, and Busselton waited for the opportunity to expose River’s backline. All goals came in the second half.

The first ten minutes saw a creative and dynamic Margaret River. The AllStars used the space well. In the third minute, Mehdi Balkhi played a perfect through pass to Jake Graebner-Bond who miskicked in front of goals. Oscar Howse tried a quick shot in the 4th minute and Henry Roger’s excellent crack on goal in the 9th minute was superbly saved by the strong Busselton keeper.

After that quick combinations gave way to increasingly desperate individual movements. Mehdi’s free kicks were unsuccessful and the numerous corner kicks unproductive. Busselton was allowed more breathing space and in the 20th minute fired a first shot at Cade. The game opened up towards the end of the first half but no team found an opener.

The coach demanded a return to controlled team play and asked for patience. The nerves were settled just one minute after play-off when Lewis Hayes pushed through on the left side and crossed to Mehdi. The quick-footed forward pressed through two defenders before blasting the ball into the back of the net. A change of tactics by Busselton and reduced concentration by the home team opened up the game once more.

Busselton’s fast forward moved into Margaret River’s half on several occasions, and only Benjamin’s consequence and poor finishing maintained River’s lead. In the 53rd minute, the Busselton forward was brought down inside the AllStar’s box and Busselton celebrated the equalizer from the penalty spot. Mehdi returned the advantage to the home side two minutes later from a quick combination with Henry Rogers. A spectacular distance shot in the 62nd minute into the top right corner restored Busselton’s hopes. The game was on knife’s edge in the dying minutes but was finally settled in the last minute by Mehdi’s hat-trick.

A sigh of relieve was heard around the pitch when the final whistle blew. The whole team was congratulated for the vice-championship even though today’s performance was less than convincing. The player of the match award went to Liam Shanahan for a solid performance as left back. Outstanding players were Benjamin Smith, Oscar Howse and Callum McCaulay.