De La by 5 points in thriller @ K2
18, Sunday, April, 2010
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OSFC 13.8.86
De La Salle 13.13.91
GOALS: OSFC 5 Passador, 2 Campbell, 1 Allen Houlihan Dick Strange Angus Perry.
BEST: OSFC Eva Hill Pike Dick Campbell Widmer.
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Standing in the middle of K2 Stadium on a perfect autumn day before the weekends game, it was hard not to marvel at the facilities currently available to players at the Old Scotch Football Club. The prominent electronic scoreboard beams from the Bowen Street side, and the playing surface has blossomed into a stage that must be unsurpassed in the grounds history. A great day for football was on offer to those who turned up, and a riveting contest between two young teams is what was served up. Kicking with a 3-4 goal breeze, Old Scotch came bursting out from the first bounce, clearly enthused at the chance to engage battle with last years runners-up, always a relevant barometer. As with last week, Mark Passador was the early target; quick, clean ball movement allowing him the space to take a couple of grabs and impact the scoreboard with 2 goals. Back in the team after a difficult 2009, Nick Allen was prominent playing on the last line of defence, joined down there by utility Rich Eva, who was filling the unusual role of full-back this week. De La Salle tried to employ their trademark handball run and carry game, but the Scotch pressure on the ball carrier caused several mistakes, with Will Strange, Adam Houlihan and a classy left footed George Dick as the benefactors. At quarter-time, Scotch led comfortably, 6.3. 39 to 1.2.8. As to be expected of good sides, a resurgent De La Salle responded strongly in the second quarter with the aid of the breeze. Controlling much of the first half of the quarter, it wasn't long before they cut the margin to a couple of goals. Old Scotch struggled to contain their free-flowing running game, as the breeze made rebounding difficult across half-back. As the quarter wore on, Scotch began to peg back some of the ascendancy, as light-on-their-feet left-footers Al Pike and Lachie Hill broke some lines through the midfield. Ex-Sandringham Dragon and Wesley College graduate Tom Campbell showed incredible agility for a ruckman as he crumbed a pack at centre half-forward, balked two opponents and snapped truly to bring up the CANNON TOYOTA GOAL OF THE DAY. Fresh into the side, Seb Angus made the most of his opportunity, a strong grab and straight kick bringing up his first. At the half-time break in an entertaining game, Old Scotch held a slender 2 goal lead. The third quarter in a wind-affected match was always going to be pivotal, and with the breeze and a 2 goal lead, Old Scotch had the opportunity to wrench the game away from De La Salle. Mark Passador extended the lead early in the third, but unfortunately De La's running game appeared to wear down the Scotchies, who looked flat-footed after the long break. Pushing numbers behind the ball, De La Salle used these numbers to begin attacks that resulted in several goals, which kept them well within striking distance. Tim Widmer worked overtime in the forward line with chases and marking contests, one particular contest providing Nick Allen the opportunity to snap over his head for an essential goal. However, it was ultimately a disappointing quarter, De La working harder and cutting the margin by a point to 11 points at the final break. The stage was set for an engaging last quarter, with both teams tired but desperate to go 2 and 0 and stay ahead of the win-loss ledger. De La Salle drew first blood, an early goal an important minor victory for the psyche of their players. With the wind in their sails, many expected the floodgates to open, but 12-15 consecutive stoppages on the interchange bench wing wasted 10 minutes as both teams were unable to pry the ball clear. Eventually, the ball came loose and in the next period De La managed the string of goals they had been threatening for some time. Two goals up and pushing well into the 25 minute mark of the last quarter, the Inner FM commentators pointed out that Old Scotch did not even look like scoring and that the match was all but over. Cue a clever Ash Walsh pass to Hugo Perry floating into the forward pocket and Scotch snagged one back. Moments later Tom Campbell marked 40 out, tucked into the grandstand pocket. With the poise and skill that makes you wonder why recruiters overlooked him at last year's draft, he calmly slotted home the goal to even the scores and put the match well and truly up for grabs. Commendably, De La Salle rose again and scored another to take a 6 point lead with time almost up. Whipping it up the other end, Old Scotch's Hugo Perry marked in a similar position to Tom Campbell, but his shot pushed away to the skinny side for a behind. The following 2 minutes had everyone on the edge of their seats, as Old Scotch pressed for victory, the ball bouncing around their forward line with no-one able to gain a clear shot at goal. Al Pike had the best opportunity, earning a free kick 40 out, but confused at the umpire's call, wandered off his line and played on. The resulting kick-in was nearly marked on the line but the resulting scrimmage allowed De La Salle to repel the ball and moments later the siren sounded, allowing De La Salle a 5 point victory in a an epic tussle. It was a disappointing loss, but left no doubt in the minds of the Old Scotch community that the team will be more competitive this year, and is able to beat the strongest teams.
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