Queens Park squeeze into final
Ethan Stout
2 goals was the simple equation for Old Boys Donald Gray to qualify for the preseason final. Sounds straight forward in theory. Old boys expected to be up against a physically imposing older and potentially more experienced QP side. The reds fielded a relatively strong side with Jono Ross and Mitchell Fowler returning to the starting XI after missing the Gore game during the previous weekend. Monie Singh was welcomed back after a lengthy absence and would be starting on the bench. The Waverley pitch was in primo condition and with the weather playing ball it was set for a good arvo of footy.
Grant Yorkstone made it clear to the lads that we needed to start strong. Dominate the 50/50 challenges, make sure we are composed on the ball and keep the ball moving when in possession were the keys highlighted. To the reds credit we started very well dominating 50/50 challenges and had a good hold of the game controlling things as we liked. This period of dominance was rewarded with a goal. Ben Clixby getting on the score sheet for the 4th time with a very tidy header over the Park keeper who got caught in two minds. Off his line and not out far out enough to challenge the ball but too far from his line as the ball sailed over his head into the net.
Park to their credit kept their heads up and started to lift the intensity. Often keeping the ball with beautiful 1-2 combos and one touch passing very deep in their own half. No matter how hard the forward pack tried they could never really win the ball back. Park started to push forward more and create more chances. Unfortunately capitalising on this period of play with an equaliser. The goal came from a cross from the right winger, the no. 9 up top split the right back and right centre back for a relatively free header that was well finished into the right hand side of the goal.
The scores remained all square when the halftime whistle blew. Probably a fair reflection for the 45 minutes played. With the ref keeping both sides inline well with fair decisions both sides had nothing to argue about.
The second half started the same as most of the previous. No real clear cut chances with both sides keeping the ball well for prolonged periods of play. Park were the first to convert a chance. The ball again came in from the right winger, that was meet by a Park player with the last touch indefinitely coming off a red shirt for an own goal. (Not entirely sure who is credited for the goal).
Old Boys responded okay, but much the same. Around 10 minutes later came an Old Boys goal.
A crafty Daniel Rosel chipped a ball over the park defence to put striker Jordan Peipei through, ball was allowed to bounce once before a fine right foot strike placed the ball to the left of the keeper into the side netting. A very well crafted and finished goal on all accounts.
For the remainder of the game nothing much changed. The substitution of Monie Singh on up top saw some hope for the upcoming season in his first game in a far while. With no real chances it looked to be dead heat. With about 10-15 to go a Park midfielder looks to whip across in from his right. The really bad cross/good shot ended up sailing over Mitch and off the post right under the bar in the top left corner and in. A world class finish (if he was in fact shooting). There wouldn’t have been many (if any) keepers in the world that could have got even close to it.
Possibly the 3rd goal was a bit unfair for the reds as a draw was looking to be a fair result on the day. But all in all Old Boys put in the best preseason performance yet. With a few players to be added to the bench the squad is shaping up to not be looking to bad, with plenty of older experienced players and a few younger Old Boys academy products in the mix. Credit to Queen’s Park for a clean, fair and competitive game of footy on a fine arvo and the ref for keeping the game well controlled.
