21 August 2011
YOUTH FOXES NIP LIONS
Fernhill 2 vs Wollongng United 0
The Fernhill Youth Graders had the luxury of a full squad for the first time in 7 weeks with the return of Simon Habak, Adrion & Nick Djuric from overseas and Scott Simpson from illness. The boys started the game with determination and quickly showed their intentions with good ball movement around the park. Their good play was rewarded in the 14th minute as a well timed pass out of defence by Adrion Djukic found the hard running Kevin McDonald on the right wing.
Kevin’s precise pass was bent around the Wollongong United defender for central striker Christian Armour to run onto. Christian’s grasscutter shot gave the United keeper no chance and the Foxes hit the lead. The Foxes wanted to keep the lead this week and didn’t give an inch as the tackles flew across all quarters of the park. The boys will to defend their lead was displayed by central midfielder Nick Djukic in his fearless tackling and keeper Josh Timpano who saved well to his right to keep the Lions scoreless.
At the other end of the park, the hard working Matt Kellett in central midfield was orchestrating the Fox attacks and Zac Noel-Strang had his opposite number running in circles with his forays towards the United goal. In the shadow of half-time Christian made space for himself and latched onto a great pass out of midfield by Godfrey Franko and showing his strength to hold off his defender fired a shot goal wards. Only desperate defending kept the ball out as a great run and touch saw the ball hit the inside of the goal post and run agonising close to the far post but stayed out to the dismay of the Fox supporters and relief for the Lions.
The second half started with the Lions getting a bit more of the ball and putting pressure on the Fernhill defence but Scott Simpson, Ben Keaton, Michael Tame and Adrion Djukic held their ground and repelled the United attempts. This rubbed off on the other boys as again the tackles that had to be won saw the ball come out Fernhill’s way and put the Foxes on the attack.
Midway through the second half Zac Noel-Strang and Christian Armour were replaced with Lachlan Blayney and Andrew Breslin. The next phase of the game saw Fernhill dominate with Lachlan Blayney getting himself clear of the United defence but couldn’t clear the in-form keeper. Against the run of play United moved the ball into the Foxes penalty box and a good strike was goal bound until the outstretched hand of keeper Timpano again denied the Lions.
The 30th minute saw Simon Habak introduced to the game to replace the limping Adrion Djukic. Not long after Andrew Breslin switched play with a great pass down the right flank into the path of Kevin McDonald and Kevin outpaced the Lions defence and with great composure sent the United keeper to the ground early and then placed the ball into the back of the net to put the Foxes clear by two. In the late stages Matt Kellett was given an early mark and replaced with Robert Jonovski on his return from injury.
In an entertaining game that the young Foxes deserved to win, all players put in a great performance and in a close contest the Man of the Match award went to Nick Djukic.
