| Match Report |
Blue Mountains had trouble converting their territorial advantage to goals and were pushing for a winner at 3 all with 5 minutes to go. But with a man down and a tiring defence they conceded 3 late goals to the fast Springwood forwards to go down 6-3. Blue Mountains started strongly and were 2 goals up after 11 minutes. After 6 minutes Alex took a corner which found Scott at the far post to put the ball into the net. Then 5 minutes later Scott made a good run up the right wing and his cross found James C who fired a strong volley into the right side of the goal. A minute later the action was at the other end where ‘keeper James B came out to foil a breakaway attack. The ball bounced off an attacker towards the goal with the ‘keeper off his line and Mitchell C made a great run back to clear off the line. Blue Mountains were playing well as a team, with backs Mitchell C, Cameron, Tim and Ben Ham tackling and clearing well, midfielders Scott, Alex, Liam, Justin and Ben Hof controlling midfield and providing good service to forwards James C and player-of-the-match Mitchell H. Blue Mountains continued to push forward for the remainder of the first half with James C (twice), Mitchell H and Scott all shooting just wide and Alex having a shot pushed behind by the goalkeeper for a corner. But the only other goal of the half came from a penalty after one of Springwood’s rare attacks where an unfortunate bounce caused the ball to hit Mitchell C’s hand. Blue Mountains started the second half with more attacking pressure with Tim shooting just wide in the first minute after good work from Liam and Scott. 3 minutes later James C won a corner after putting pressure on the defenders but it was Springwood who scored 2 minutes later against the run of play from a goalmouth melee after goalkeeper James B made a good save, pushing a high ball onto the crossbar. Blue Mountains continued to push forward but it was Springwood who took the lead 6 minutes later with a goal from a breakaway. But good work from Cameron, Liam and Mitchell H got the ball to James C who equalised with a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area going in off the bar. The next 15 minutes saw extensive pressure with Blue Mountains seeking a winner including a series of corners and shots just wide from James C (two) and Liam while a dipping shot from Justin from a sharp right angle dipped just too late to get under the crossbar. But with Blue Mountains reduced to 10 men due to cramp and the defence tiring, Springwood’s fast forwards were able to cut through to score 3 goals in the last 5 minutes. |
