Video Highlights - Round 10

Round 11 - Ashburton

Our 2nd meeting with Ashburton this season and this time on home ground. Cool and overcast conditions were the order for the day, some light rain falling in the 2nd half. Last time these 2 sides met it was a convincing 10 nil victory for Box Hill. As such the boys seemed very casual in their approach to the game, as was evident in their lack of urgency. Although the majority of play was taking place in Box Hill's forward half, it took until about the 20 minute mark before we managed to convert a goal.

We were passing the ball quite nicely, but we just didn't seem to have any fire in our bellies. A complete opposite to how we played last week against Whitehorse. As such we were lack lustre in finishing and Ashburton were able to defend our many forays into the box. Half time arrived and we had 2 goals to show for our efforts, another 3 or 4 should have found the back of the net if we were switched on.

The 2nd half continued much the same way as the first half, with Ashburton relying on the long ball through midfield as their main plan of attack. Once again we were stuck in 2nd gear and our defense was not showing any real urgency to clear the ball. This resulted in a series of unnecessary corners for Ashburton and courtesy of some sloppy defending we allowed them an easy goal, possibly an own goal....but no one has owned up to it yet.

Ashburton lifted and started to mount more attacks, but their midfield failed to support their forwards and allowed us to defend in numbers. Slowly we started to become more interested and some good passages of play followed. Another 2 goals went past the Ashburton Keeper and Kosi was very unlucky not to convert from an exceptional header.

So a 4/1 victory for Box Hill in what can best be described as token effort. We have the Bentleigh Greens tournament in a few weeks and the lads will need to sharpen their focus and intensity to match teams like Sandringham and Monash.

Round 10 - Whitehorse

Our Round 10 match was against Whitehorse, who always give us a good challenge. Today was no different with our opponents drawing first blood in the first few minutes of the game. Our lads were caught by surprise and it took us a good 10 minutes to get the ball over the halfway line.

Slowly the Box Hill machine crunched through the gears and started to wake up. Whitehorse were playing a tough brand of football and closing us down fairly quickly. Eventually our persistence paid off with a run into the box by Nick resulting in the equaliser. 1 all at the halftime break and we had a good competitive game starting to take shape.

Clifton rallied the lads at half time and told them to relax and play their trademark passing game. They needed to be first to the ball and use their skills in tight situations. Whitehorse would continue to play hard and we needed to match them with intensity and determination.

The second half was one of the best 25 minutes of play we have seen so far this season. Both teams giving no quarter and the ball moving from end to end. Box Hill managed to press the Whitehorse defence and continued to make entries into the box. Eventually some scrappy play in the 6 yard box allowed Nick enough space to convert his 2nd for the day, the Whitehorse defenders failing to clear the ball effectively.

Marcel was kept busy in the 2nd half and he did well to clear the ball effectively. A Whitehorse cross late in the game was unlucky not to have been converted, the forward not quite finishing the opportunity.

All up it was a great game with plenty of action from both sides. The early starts don't seem to suit us all that well but once we get going we are hard to stop. It was also good to see the boys using their bodies when challenged and giving everything to gain possession.

Video Highlights - Round 9 Eastern Lions

Round 9 - Eastern Lions

A great game today against Eastern Lions at Gardiners Creek Reserve. The Lions played very well and held us at bay for the first 15 minutes of the match. It was great to see the lads able to play the ball on the ground and get consistency, something that has been difficult this season with bumpy surfaces.

Jesse opened our account with a run into the box and then an easy left footed slot into the corner of the net. Not long afterwards he was again in the right spot to capitalise on a well placed pass from Nick, with Aaron D providing the clever step over that gave Jesse the space he needed to crack the ball past the Keeper.

Not long before half time, Aaron S found himself receiving a ball just outside the 6 yard box on a 45 degree angle. He took a controlling touch and then launched the ball past the Keeper and into the back of the net. Halftime came and we were 3 goals up, courtesy of some very good passages of play.

At the break Clifton told the boys he was very happy with the way that they had played in the first half. We were passing the ball very well and supporting each other off the ball. The play along the wings was very good with great movement between Dylan and Kosi on the left and Charlie and Michael on the right. Our defence was working well with Jordan, Ben and Bob keeping the Lions forwards honest and switching play across the back line. Meanwhile Marcel was keeping a clean sheet and timing his runs off the line very well.

The 2nd half saw some light rain begin to fall and the ball became a little bit slippery. The Lions had some good passages of play and were unlucky not to convert at least one genuine goal. However Box Hill continued to play a controlled passing game and we frustrated our opponents with good movement into space. Our 4th goal came midway through the 2nd half when Charlie hit a looping ball from just inside the 18 yard box, the ball hanging in the air and catching the Lions Keeper off his line. Young Hamish had a good 2nd half and at one point made a nice run into the box. Declan also did the hard yards and kept his opponent honest with strong tackles, whilst Carlo made some strong runs up the wing and was unlucky not to snag a goal today for his efforts.

Overall it was a very enjoyable match for the lads and a nice way to finish the first half of the season. We have another 7 matches to go this season and next week we start all over again with an away game against Whitehorse. Mooroolbark and Eastern Lions are the only 2 teams that we don't play again and we wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.

Video Highlights - Monash / Mooroolbark

Round 8 - Mooroolbark

A comfortable win today for the U10 Kangaroos. Mooroolbark were outclassed from the first minute of the game, however it was great to see the Mooroolbark players enjoy themselves regardless of the scoreline. As their coach said after the game, they would have been better suited to playing in the Joeys Comp this season.

As it turned out, Box Hill played a good first half of football and controlled play all over the ground. It was especially nice to see 3 goals come from corner kicks that were headed into the goal by well timed runs. A few chances went begging, but most opportunities were clinically finished.

7/0 at half time and Clifton asked the boys to use the 2nd half to practice maintaining possession. Marcel was offered a players Guernsey, but graciously declined, after a hard night partying...he was enjoying the rest in Goals.

The 2nd half saw defenders and forwards swap positions. We also saw the ball being passed all the way back to Marcel, who switched play effectively. Another 3 goals to take our tally to 10 for the day. It was great to see Ben get his first goal for Box Hill and the subsequent celebrations.

Well done lads on chalking up another victory. No training this Monday but make sure you keep practising your skills at home !