Murdoch University Soccer Club

A difficult away fixture for an upbeat Murdoch side that had to make several changes from last weeks victorious side. Back into the side was Flav and Jordan and the new strike partners soon made their prescence felt combining for the an early opening goal. A long ball down the channel was chased down well by Petrone and with the referee correctly ignoring the linesmans  flag Flav knocked the ball in at the far post. Murdoch from the goal had complete control of the game and maintained good possession and control of the ball on a far from perfect surface. Despite the superior possession both teams came in at half time with just the one goal dividing them.  The hardwork and quality paid dividends at the start of the second half as Murdoch demonstrated a clinicalness in fornt of goal that has been missing in previous campaigns. Petrone demonstrated his worth to the team with a confident finish from the edge of the box that left the subsititute keeper with no chance.  With the screw slowly turning a forray down the right flank saw Petrone senior whip across a ball that was well headed for Labattes second of the match. With the game in total control Murdoch suffered a set back when the excellent midfied pairing of Brewer and Dixon was broken with an injury to Dixon, the young player coach Danny Jones came on as a straight swap and began to influence the game!!  Labatte completed his hat-trick with a robust challenge on a Kingsway defender before smashing the ball home. Kingsway got on the score sheet with a deflected strike that left Stewart with no chance and then a fine run and finish gave the hometeam hope. The introduction of Martin for the impressive Jordan added fresh legs to the attack and it was his persistance and cross that forced the defender into slicing into his own goal to complete the scoring.

 The victory maintained the teams fine start to the season and sets up a clash with the leagues other unbeaten team next week when the Muscrats entertain Lynwood.

Murdoch reserves maintained their fine start to the season with a hard fought victory against a strong Hammersley side that had only narrowly lost to last years champs in their previous fixture. On a Melbournesque afternoon the visitors started brightest forcing Murdochs keeper Stewart Dalgarno into a number of fine saves. Murdoch soon began to find their feet and a couple of determined runs by Henriko created panic in the visitors defence. Henriko was unable to take much further part due to injury and departed on the half hour mark to be replaced by Murray Petroni. Both sides traded attacks in a half where both defences appeared to be on top. Shortly after the interval Murdoch side was unsettled by the loss of skipper Tim ” BTITC” Brewer to a back injury. This saw the introduction of Keanan into a left midfield role with Zoric moving into the middle. Shortly after the change Hammersley took the lead when the Murdoch defence kinder didn’t clear the ball allowing the forward to poke the ball home. With about 20 minutes left an injury to Vincent saw a third enforced substitution with the arrival of Martin on for Vincent who limped off with a leg injury. Soon after the change Murdoch levelled the scores through Romper Kendall. A failure to clear a Murdoch free kick saw the ball crossed in for Kendall to steer a header past the helpless keeper. With time ticking away and a draw looking certain a loose pass from Hammersley released Luiz Durrum whose pinpoint cross was finished well by the head of Martin. The goal was harsh on Hammersley but a reward for the Murdoch squads endeavour and spirit.

Well done lads 

Season 2008 kicked off in style for Club Murdoch as an experienced Reserves side lined up for their first league encounter of the season. A starting line up that consisted of a number of players with first team experience quickly took control of the game against a motivated Azurri side. Murdochs application endeavour and commitment was excellent right from the whistle, although at times this eagerness was the teams undoing as countless attacks broke down due to misplaced passes and poor decision making.

Halfway through the half Murdoch’s efforts were rewarded through young Jordan Petroni who dispatched the ball from outside the box when the ball dropped at his feet off a ricochet. It was not the cleanest of strikes but one that was placed wide enough of the home custodian. The homesides attacks were limited but Murdochs debutatnt keeper made a fine save at the feet of an onrushing attacker when a goal look imminent. At halftime the teams instructions were simple and they took these onboard by matching their high efforts with improved decision making. The second goal was stunning as Petroni ignored the squeels of Jason Dixon to dispatch a volley from wide of the box into the back of the net much to the delight of the crowd and his teammates ( including Dixon) (eventually). The second goal brought with it the security for Murdoch to attack with numbers. Petroni putting the ball in the net from a sweeping move only to be harshly adjudged offside.

The introduction of Petroni senior, Keanan and Martin pepped up the energy levels and a good piece of closing down by martin saw him dispossess a defender and square the ball for Blaz Lightyear to finish from an acute angle. Proceedings were wrapped up when Murdochs prodigal son Mark Kendall leapt unmarked at the far post and sent a firm header past the keeper. This was a good result from the squad that bodes well for the rest of the season