Allstars 1 Outback 2Gower Allstars had, what was on paper, a difficult opening match against the second best team in the league Outback.
However the match did not pan out that way.
Apart from a rusty first 10 mins, the Gowers proceeded to dominate the game, with good hard tackling led by Street in the midfield, and organised defending from the back four.
The game was fairly even for the first 30 mins – with chances at both ends, but as the minutes ticked by, the Allstars continued to stamp more authority on the game.
Medley and Kelly combined well upfront and were a constant threat to the Outback defence.
However against the run of play, a break down the right wing, followed by a perfect cross found Outbacks strongest player, their central midfielder, who headed excellently to give the opposition a 1-0 lead going into half time.
Ironically he shouldn’t have even been on the pitch – as he was on a yellow – and on 35 mins, slid in with a nasty foot up challenge – a 100% yellow – but this slack decision making was par for the course with one of the worst referees we have seen.
Second half began with renewed urgency and some fine play by the Allstars. Durrant on the right wing came more into the game, Milburn at left back began to dominate his opposite number and turn defence into attack. And Ricky – on the left wing, looked dangerous everytime he picked the ball up.
But it was the combination play of Kelly and Medley that led to the first goal of Allstars season. Medley came short, turned, and read the run of Kelly perfectly, with a ball over the top of the centre back which led to a tricky one on one for Kelly – who “dinked” the keeper with finesse.
1-1 – back in the game.
With 25 mins to go – the game was there for the taking. Allstars were dominating all over the park. And although they didn’t create dozens of chances, it was clear from the lack of noise from the opposition that it was “just a matter of time” before another goal came.
And it should have been only 10 mins later, when a long ball found Medley, who broke away from the centre back, controlled a difficult bouncing ball and on the edge of the area struck a fine hard shot leaving the keeper stranded – only for it to hit the very inside of the post and shoot across the goal line and away from danger. Incredibly unlucky.
Credit to the Allstars, their heads did not dip. Decent chances for Kelly and Ossack were spurned, and the score remained 1-1 without Paley in goal having anything to do in the second half – again credit to the defence.
86 mins – and a rare break down the right by Outback, again combined with a perfect cross, found their sole striker in the box, 12 yards out – who connected on the volley with a stunning strike – leaving Paley no chance.
A sickening blow to the Allstars – and Outback held on for the win.
You cannot fault the effort and good play from the Allstars, throughout the match. This result was an example of how football can sometimes go for you. You dominate, don’t put your chances away, don’t get the rub of the green, and you can be punished.
What can be taken from the game?
1) Our fitness and commitment to win every ball, every challenge, and then use the ball like we know how – will see us win many a game this year. We plain and simple got unlucky. Keep up the fast, intense play and we will get the rewards.
2) We must take our chances. In this league, you can easily be punished if you don’t.
MOTM = Robin Street for a dominating and classy first 70 mins.
Encouraging, yet disappointing start.
