Round 14 - Knox United

A nice late Winter's day today with slightly warmer conditions than we have been used to. The lads were undermanned with Carlo, Dylan and Jesse all missing from the line up. However this meant more game time for everyone but less rest on the bench.

Both teams got off to a fast start with the ball pinging it's way through the midfield. Players with time on their hands unnecessarily rushed their passes, wasting many good opportunities. Box Hill's first touch was decidedly lacking and our usual passing game was almost non existent.

Knox had some good early chances but failed to convert their opportunities. Meanwhile Box Hill drew first blood with some scrappy play in the 6 yard box resulting in our first goal. However it took about 30 seconds for Knox to equalise with a long ball from the kick-off finding their key forward who danced past 3 Box Hill defenders.

1 all at half time and Stackie sent a clear message to the boys. Stop playing selfish football and start to play the team game. Too many times we had pot shots from long range when we should have passed the ball to someone in a better position. Just because we beat Knox in the 1st round, it didn't mean that we would walk all over them today.

The lads must have listened because they played a totally different style of football in the 2nd half. We were winning the 50/50 balls and our composure under pressure was much better. Our wide players started to get involved and we passed the ball before we got closed down (on most occasions).

Our intensity resulted in 4 goals during the half, some of which were very well constructed in congested areas. Knox really didn't have an answer to how we were playing and they mainly resorted to trying long passes. However our defence was solid and we managed to clear the ball well. Marcel was called on to provide a last line of defence late in the half and his recent Goal Keeper training was very effective.

So 5/1 was the final score and our 2nd half was definitely a very good effort from the lads. We will need to play with this level of determination from the first kick next week if we are to challenge Monash.

Round 13 - Doncaster

An interesting match today with Doncaster deciding to pick the best players from all of their U10 sides to play against us. There were rumblings of discontent on the sidelines before the game, Doncaster parents not happy that the teams had been pulled apart without much warning. On the other hand Box Hill was looking forward to a strong challenge from the "Uber" team from Doncaster.

The match got underway with Doncaster attacking in numbers and putting real pressure on the Box Hill defence. A few early defensive errors allowed the Doncaster forwards to close in on goal unchecked, however poor touches allowed Marcel to mop up any threats. The Box Hill boys looked very lack lustre and almost disinterested during the 1st half.

Doncaster scored the opening goal with a dubious decision, the ball hitting the crossbar and bouncing straight down. Marcel got control of the ball but it was deemed to have crossed the line, "Hawkeye" would have been handy in this situation. This seemed to wake Box Hill up from it's extended slumber and we managed to make some decent pushes forward. A couple of chances in the 6 yard box went begging and Doncaster survived until the half time break with it's 1 goal lead.

The 2nd half saw Box Hill start with a more determined effort, pressing through the midfield and creating chances. A series of corner kicks eventually resulted in an equaliser, Jesse popping his foot out at just the right moment to deflect the ball into the net.

Doncaster responded with continued vigour, but our defense held out well and they never really looked under threat. At the other end we had a few good chances but the Doncaster Keeper denied us with some very good saves.

1 all was the final score and everyone seemed happy with the result. Except maybe for the group of Doncaster parents who were still arguing with the coaches 40 minutes after the game had ended...

Round 12 - Bulleen

A great match today against Bulleen at the Veneto Club. Both sides looked good in their warm up's but it was Box Hill who drew first blood after Carlo headed in a cross from Jesse. The young Kangaroos had their tails up and we managed to control the majority of play with good positioning through the midfield.

Our 2nd goal was the result of a clever lofted ball from just outside the 18 yard box, Nick catching the Bulleen Keeper off his line. Bulleen responded with some strong attacks in the dying stages of the 1st half and Marcel did well to deflect an almost certain goal onto the cross bar.

2 nil at half time and Clifton was happy with the boys performance. A few positional changes were made with 4 starting players having a rest on the bench. Clifton told the boys to consider the score to be nil all and fight hard to win the ball at every challenge. We were playing a nice brand of football and we needed to keep our rhythm and continue to make Bulleen chase the ball.

The 2nd half saw a much more determined Bulleen take to the field. They were fighting harder for the ball and their game had become a lot more physical. As always Box Hill rose to the challenge and it wasn't long until Carlo managed to score his second goal for the day with a powerful strike from just inside the 18 yard box. 3 nil and it was not looking favourable for Bulleen.

However to their credit, Bulleen continued to challenge for every ball and some sloppy defence by Box Hill allowed them to move unchecked into the 6 yard box and score an easy goal. A breakdown in communication leaving a gap in our defence, which is normally water tight.

The game continued to be played physically and fast, with a few free kicks being awarded each way late in the game. Box Hill managed to sneak in a 4th goal courtesy of congestion in the 6 yard box, Jesse making no mistake with his left foot.

The score remained at 4 / 1 until the final whistle and both sides had enjoyed a very hard fought match. The mood in the change rooms after the match was very positive as we lead into the East Bentleigh Tournament on August 19th. The team luncheon in the Veneto Club Bistro was enjoyed by everyone and a fitting way to complete the afternoon.