| Match Report |
Blue Mountains’ were on top for most of the game against Emu Plains but were unlucky to lose by the odd goal out of five. After being three goals down just after half-time, Blue Mountains put continued pressure on the Emu Plains goal, with both PoM Scott and James C finding the net. The game finished with Blue Mountains pushing hard for an equaliser but couldn’t get closer than James C’s shot which hit the crossbar in the dying minutes. The game began evenly but Blue Mountains soon mounted a period of sustained attack. This started in the 6th minute with Daniel’s free kick from his own half finding James C who took the ball forward and shot just over. In the following minute James C had a shot saved as the culmination of a good move involving Scott and Alex. 3 minutes later Alex found James C on the left wing who beat a defender and crossed with the ‘keeper reaching the ball just before Ben Hf. 15 minutes into the game Cameron sent James C away on the left but his cross was again cut out by the ‘keeper. Then two minutes later James C had another shot saved following good work by Dan and Alex. However all of this attacking play was leaving gaps at the back and 18 minutes into the game Emu Plains scored from a break against the run of play. Blue Mountains continued to attack and only a minute after conceding the goal Ben Hf had a shot saved following a move involving Liam, Scott and James C. The two minutes later Scott found Ben Hf whose shot was just wide. Then three minutes later Jason’s shot from a sharp angle on the right was also just wide. Two minutes before half time James C took a ball through from near the half-way line, beating two defenders, but his shot was pushed behind by the ‘keeper for a corner. But all of this attacking pressure yielded no results so Emu Plains went in at half time one goal up. Blue Mountains continued attacking into the second half with James C shooting just wide after 3 minutes. The following minute saw Liam win a corner with some good work on the left wing and James C’s header from the corner was saved by the ‘keeper. But again the attacking play was leaving gaps at the back and 9 minutes into the second half Emu Plains scored 2 goals in as many minutes. Instead of disheartening Blue Mountains this spurred them into greater intensity and 4 minutes later Dan’s free kick found Scott who beat a defender and scored from a sharp angle on the right. Two minutes later Mitchell C sent Ben Hf away down the right, doing well to win a corner taken by Alex from which Mitchell C’s header went over the bar. Then 2 minutes later good work from Jason and Ben Hf on the right culminated in James C’s shot going just over. Throughout the game Blue Mountains backs Ben and Cameron and sweeper Mitchell C were coping effectively with Emu Plains’ attacks and clearing well. Midfielders Dan, Alex, Liam, winger Justin and player of match Scott pushed forward consistently providing service to forwards James C and Ben Hf, while goalkeeper James B was solid as ever and making great clearances, coming out to the edge of the box to push the ball forward as quickly as possible. Substitute Dan L played well, undaunted against the bigger opponents. With 11 minutes remaining Liam found James C whose shot was just wide. But a minute later Ben Hf crossed from the right and James C shot was intercepted by a defender but had too much power to be completely blocked and ended up in the back of the net, reducing the deficit to a single goal. Two minutes later James C’s shot hit the bar and rebounded but Justin wasn’t able to connect cleanly with the rebound and the ball somehow stayed out of the goal during the subsequent goalmouth melee. Blue Mountains continued to attack but without further results, leaving them a goal down at the final whistle |
