Match Report U16.3 – 03-08-2008

Blue Mountains’ game against Blaxland was one of two very different halves. The first was a tight and hard-fought contest, with Blue Mountains unlucky to be two goals down at half-time.

Blue Mountains were much more aggressive and got well on top in the second half. Clearances from defence to attack, a succession of corners, some great long throw-ins from PoM Dan and strong attacking runs put continued pressure on the Blaxland goal, but only Mitchell C’s header from a corner found the net.

The game finished with Blue Mountains pushing for an equaliser with James C’s shot in the dying moments being pushed by the ‘keeper on to the crossbar.

Blaxland scored from a corner following their first attack after only 4 minutes. This disheartened the Blue Mountains players and Blaxland scored again after 28 minutes from a penalty following a marginal handball decision.

Blue Mountains mounted few attacks in the first half, the most notable being 5 minutes before half-time when James C had a good run up the left and crossed to Mitchell H who was judged to have been unfairly dispossessed in the penalty area. But the ‘keeper was able to save James C’s penalty, leaving Blaxland’s two goal lead intact at the break. The entire Blue Mountains team were much more positive from the start of the second half, with the first minute seeing good work by Scott and Mitchell H on the right resulting in Scott having a shot well saved.

Backs Mitchell C, Ben and Cameron were more attacking in their clearances, midfielders Liam, Dan, and Alex pushed forward consistently, providing good support to forwards James C and Mitchell H. Wingers Tim and Jason worked well on the flanks giving width to the team, while James B was dependable in goal and able to find attackers with his clearances. 7 minutes into the second half Mitchell H won a corner following a good run up the right.

Then Dan took a good attacking long throw-in, Jason passed it back to Dan who crossed for Mitchell H’s header to go just wide with the ‘keeper well beaten. In the following minute James C made a strong run up the centre, beating a defender but his shot was saved.

Blue Mountains attacking pressure continued and after 18 minutes Tim and Alex won a corner following good work on the left wing. Alex’s corner was well-flighted enabling Mitchell C to score with a well-placed header, reducing the deficit to one goal with 16 minutes to play.

The goal spurred Blue Mountains to even more committed attacking play. In the following minute, Mitchell C launched a long-range shot from a free kick on the edge of the centre circle which the ‘keeper did well to save just under the crossbar.

3 minutes later, James C made a good strong run up the centre from which Jason had a powerful shot which went over the bar. Blue Mountains continued to play attacking football and in the last minute,

Alex’s through ball found James C whose powerful shot looked to be heading for the net but the ‘keeper was able to push it onto the crossbar to maintain Blaxland’s advantage at the final whistle.