Our first real test for the season today against Bulleen's 'A' team. A great day for Football with cool conditions and no wind. Box Hill got off to a good start and managed to control the majority of posession. Our midfielders were working well together and we managed to keep the ball in our attacking half. Strong efforts from Nick, Arron S, Charlie and Arron D, made sure that we were first to the ball and keeping Bulleen under pressure.
We had a number of chances in and around the box early in the 1st half, however our efforts were thwarted by Bulleen's very capable Keeper. A number of corners were also wasted and we failed to capitalise on our opportunities. Johnny and Jesse had a couple of good shots on goal, but once again Bulleen's Keeper proved to be too good.
Late in the half Bulleen managed to force the ball down their end and some poor defensive work allowed their striker to work his way through the 18 yard box and convert a neatly slotted goal. This was dissapointing as no one closed him down and we allowed him too much space so close to the goal. It was only Bulleen's 2nd attack for the half and they had scored, compared to our majority of posession and multiple scoring chances at the other end with no reward.
The 2nd half saw us continue to play our normal passing game, but once again we were being frustrated close to goal with missed chances and good keeping from Bulleen. We managed to secure a few free kicks around the edge of the box and we came close to equalising on a few occasions. Kosi had a couple of good chances as did Arron S who found himself in space inside the 18 yard box, only to hit his shot into the side netting.
Bulleen were looking for the quick counter, but our defense was holding up well with strong efforts from Ben, Michael, Jordan and Bob. They were able to use our wide players, Sam & Paul, to help run the ball out of defense and build up another attacking formation. Billy did not have a great deal of work to do, but when called on he was composed and effective, clearing the ball out to the wings and away from danger.
Time was running out and we needed an equaliser to bring balance back to the game that we were dominating. We continued to press hard and we almost scored from a cheeky shot that Paul hit from about 30 yards out. The ball seemed to hang in the air and the Bulleen Keeper was off his line, however the ball hit the side post and bounced back into play for Bulleen to clear.
Alex had a cracking shot from a free kick, but the ball hit the cross bar and went out of play. Then a couple of minutes before the final whistle we won a free kick on the edge of the centre circle, courtesy of a Bulleen hand ball. Jesse stepped up to take the free kick and we all thought he would just try to get it into the box. He thought otherwise and hit a cracking shot that sailed into the top right hand corner of the goal, beating the talented Bulleen Keeper and equalising the game.
That is the way the game finished, with a 1 all draw. Box Hill had controlled the majority of the ball all day but were victims of their own inability to finish chances with precision. Bulleen look much better this year than they have in previous seasons and we can expect a hard game from them when we next meet at the Veneto Club.
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