AllStars ' Season Comes To An End

Written by Patrick Marzohl Friday, 23 September 2011 22:09

Match Reports - Youth League Boys

LNJSA Knock-Out Cup Semi-Final Round Robin
Dunsborough Chargers 3 def Margaret River AllStars 0

The AllStars travelled to Busselton with confidence after having beaten both Cup opponents this season. The team missed fast winger Aaron Locke and midfielder Lewis Hayes. The game was played on the superb Churchill Park pitch but strong westerly’s and threatening heavy clouds dampened the spirits.

The team knew that the first game would be the decider in this round robin cup tournament and the focus was very much on countering Dunsborough’s forwards.

The Margaret River team however lost the toss and had to face the wind in the first half. Dunsborough combined beautifully, applying constant pressure onto the team in yellow.

The response from the AllStars was nervous, individual attempts that became increasingly futile. A long ball by Dunsborough opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Cade Thompson grabbed the ball only for it to be pushed out of his hands. Liam Shanahan came too late to stop the Dunsborough forward from kicking the loose ball into the back of the net.

The infuriated players lost focus, and even though several attempts were made to level the score, Margaret River was never threatening. Instead, Dunsborough increased the lead two minutes into added time.

Knowing this would be an uphill battle to recover from two goals down, the coach asked for patience and positive team play. Keeper Cade Thompson needed to be replaced with Mishka Marzohl because of a heavy collision at the end of the first half.

The AllStars worked hard, but Dunsborough held firm. The team through players forward. In the 34th minute, Dunsborough charged forward on the left, and somehow their winger squeezed past three River’s defenders to finally score from a very acute angle. This goal sealed the game.

The players moved off the pitch very disappointed knowing that once again, the Cup had eluded them.

Margaret River AllStars 4 def Australind 1

After a short 15 minute break the team was back on the pitch. The coach asked the players to enjoy this last game of the season – and the players complied. Playing against only eight players the AllStars had loads of space. A stunning through pass from Jake Graebner-Bond to Mehdi Balkhi in the first minute opened the scoring.

Mehdi added a second goal I the 11th minute after a series of quick exchanges with Scott Phelps. The third goal by Mehdi came from a long pass from Benjamin Smith. Mehdi outran his marker to slot home comfortably.

Australind got a goal back two minutes after half time from a stunning fifty meter shot that sailed over Mishka Marzohl outstretched hands into the top corner. Mehdi restored the three goal advantage in the 37th minute after a fine pass from Scott.

The team played some beautiful football in this second game, but it was not enough to see them through to the Cup final after Dunsborough beat Australind 5 to 1. The season came thus to an abrupt end.

Players that stood out today were Cade Thompson and Mishka Marzohl in goal, Mehdi for his four goals, Scott and Callum McCaulay for their persistence and Oscar for a determined effort in midfield.

Mitchell Winstanley received the player-of-the-match award.