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.