Round 12 Scotch vs Rostrevor Saturday 19th July 2008 A Grade Scotch 2 - 1 Rostrevor With the top 6 teams all playing each other in this round, I'm sure every team realised the importance of taking maximum points from their respective clashes, and deservedly we did. It was a game that was probably played out as many would expect, with ROCSC trying to play pretty possessional soccer, and Scotch playing their very direct, quick paced and offensive style to their forward strengths. Overall, ROCSC would have lead the possession stats, but we definitely had the majority and most frequent scoring chances, and if it wasn't for their keeper who pulled off several riper quick-reaction saves, would have seen a couple more go into their net. The game started very evenly, with most of the play for the opening 15 minutes going end to end through the midfield, with no definitive chances. We then went 1-0 up when Welly broke free with his pace and cracked a low shot to the keepers right, who saved very well, but fortunately for us the ball fell to our new recruit Brenton Ilicic who had an easy tap in with his right. We then went 2-0 up 15 minutes later when Welly, following a previous one-on-one and close shot with the keeper, had another one-on-one following some excellent midfield work that split the ROCSC defence and finished low into the corner from just inside the box. We had several more excellent chances, expecially with a couple of tough shots from Brent and Fergie Ferg, with Matty getting more into the game causing havoc down the left. We were also lucky probably not to concede with ROCSC elusive forward Dom putting a close chance narrowly over the bar. 2-0 at the break. The 2nd half was played very similar to the 1st, with Scotch playing direct and ROCSC trying more to hold posession, but not looking overly dangerous. Welly had a couple more good chances, along with a smashing long drive from Ferg, that all had the keeper saving very well. Paps was bizarrely shown two yellows for the same passage of play and sent-off with 15 minutes remaining that meant we were down to ten with ROCSC pushing for the game. Immediately following this the ref blew for a dubious penalty against us, and Dom made the most of it to bring ROCSC back to within a goal. We adjusted well following this with a couple of personnel changes, and saw out the game very comfortably. Geordie, Johnny, Dunsy and Danny were very organised and controlled the back with plenty of conviction again. Fergie and Chrissa ran their hearts out and dominated our play in the middle of the park. Brent was exceptional as our central striker playing a little deeper as a link man, with both Matty and Welly looking dangerous and too much for the ROCSC full-backs to handle all day with damaging runs into the box and plenty of shots between them. Well done boys, an excellent team effort again with consistency shown all over the ground. And with Unley knocking off Merc's, it means we go top!! (Ref's votes:) 3 votes: Brent 2 votes: Welly 1 vote: Fergie B Grade Scotch 0 - 7 Rostrevor Well I guess the score says it all!! :o) A very disappointing day for the B's against a very strong team that we were hoping to show some improvements against. At this stage of the season, we are paying the price for so many changes week in week out, and hence are lacking some midfield and forward leaders that are consistently going to contribute and make an impact. 3 votes: Paul 2 votes: Quento 1 vote: Willy