THEY may have missed the target more times than they found it, but the Cootamundra Strikers under 18s were still too classy and skilful for the Tumut Eagles on Sunday, running out easy 5-0 victors.
The home side was forced to wait 40 minutes before hitting the back of the net despite having a numerical advantage against a Tumut side that could only field eight players for the 9am clash.
Several Coota players had the opportunity to be the first on the scoresheet, with Aaron Loiterton unlucky not to convert in the fifth minute, while Shane McGlynn found space for himself down the left and eventually found himself in a one-
on-one with the keeper only to see his shot go directly into his rival’s
mitts.
Luke Bailey was left ruing a miss-cued kick as the Strikers’ frustrations rose with their inaccuracy.
At the other end of the field Ben Masters was called upon to make a couple of crucial saves, a surprising fact given the Strikers backs should never have found themselves outnumbered.
Eventually it was captain Matt Wilson who broke the deadlock, taking possession 10 metres on the attacking side of halfway, beating the last line of defence and blasting the ball past the keeper.
The second half was a far better performance from the home side as they began to play smarter, more
possession based football.
A perfect example of this was the manner in which they scored their second goal.
Starting at the back with Hayden Bennett, the ball found its way to Loiterton who in turn fired off a pin-point pass to Shaun Montgomery.
Confronted by the defence, Montgomery used his vision to spot Luke Bailey out in the open who
finished off the move in great style by slotting it past the Tumut keeper
who had little, if no hope, of stopping it.
Luke Manwaring went desperately close to adding another goal for the home side, missing a couple of half chances, however it was a 15 minute period towards the end in which the Strikers finally put their stamp on the game.
Jay White, who is one of his team’s most determined players and who gives his all every week, was rewarded with a rare goal, before Montgomery linked with Liam Elrington to see the latter, who spends most of his time in defence, capitalising on his chance up front to score.
Masters had handed over the
keeping duties to Loiterton and was enjoying his chance out on the field, while Josh Hugo was a constant threat to the Tumut defence.
Montgomery capped a fine
individual game when he knocked the ball in for the Strikers’ fifth, but again it came on the back of a number of missed opportunities.
While training facilities may be closed for much of the week due to the wet, coach Shane Jervis would love to find somewhere for his young charges to practice their target
shooting.
It’s back to Mitchell Park this Sunday for a clash with the third-placed Tolland Wolves.
IN what was arguably their best performance of the season, the Cootamundra Strikers under 18s gave a clear indication they are ready for the challenges of semi final football.
Facing the undefeated Wagga United in a top of the table clash at Mitchell Park on Sunday, the Strikers were in the contest up to their ears, with only a 84th minute goal to United denying the home side the chance to take at least a point out of the match.
It was an inspiring effort from the Strikers who would have gained a great deal of self belief out of their performance knowing they will meet United once, if not twice during the finals series.
The Strikers were the better team in the opening half, finding the back of the net three times only to be called back for off side on each occasion.
They were frustrating their rivals who, having plundered 50 goals for the year prior to the weekend, haven’t had to work too hard to crack the defence.
Coota’s backfield unit of Ben Masters in goal, Hayden Bennett, Jay white, Aaron Loiterton and Phil Van Kerk Oerle played out of their skins to keep United scoreless for the first half.
Coach Shane Jervis said his team will take a number of positives out of the match.
“It was easily the best I’ve seen them play,” Jervis said.
“They are still learning how to slide in defence and when they got that right on Sunday it really shut down United’s attacking options.
‘There were a few times when we didn’t slide as a unit which allowed them to find space, but by the time we meet them again we will have it down pat.
“To hit the net three times proves we have the ability to break their defence and we were unlucky with a couple of the calls.”
Going to the break locked at nil-all, the mood in the respective sheds was poles apart.
Jervis was thrilled with his team’s performance emphasizing his troops were good enough to match it with the competition favourites, while there appeared to be a sense of panic emanating from the United room.
United broke the deadlock in the 13th minute of the second half, heading home a corner from the right side.
The goal seemed to lift United and they attacked with more vigour placing the Strikers defence under enormous pressure.
They held firm and at the same time created their own chances up front with Josh Hugo, Matt Wilson, Joel O’Loughlin and Josh Hodge seeing plenty of the ball.
An indirect free kick around the 75 minute mark got the Strikers back on even terms.
Taking a shot from outside the box, Tom Meehan, who was one of his team’s best on the day with a number of clever touches, rifled his shot towards the near post surprising the United keeper who, despite his best efforts, could only get his fingertips to the ball.
The Strikers could sniff an upset and increased their intensity even further.
Just when it appeared they would hold United to a draw the visitors earned another corner and, in almost a case of déjà vu, headed home the match winner.
“For most of the match we forced them to shoot outside the 18 yard which is an indication your defence is doing its job,” Jervis said.
“In saying that their two goals came from free headers from corners, so we know we have to work on that.”
One of the biggest headaches Jervis will face in coming weeks will be at the selection table.
He has quality players due to resume from injury and/or suspension however at the same time wants to reward those who have been doing the job in their absence.
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