Murdoch University Soccer Club

Match reports are done weekly for both first team and reserves and can be found by clicking on the link on the side bar. Games added already; Perth Azzuri, Hamersley Rovers, Olympic Kingsway and Lynwood Colts.

It was a game of 2 contrasting halves.  If Murdoch had turned up in the first half the result may have been different.

Kingsway started very brightly and created a few chances causing Murdoch problems from the first whistle.  They had their tails up and scored in the first 5 minutes when a flick on was not dealt with and the striker placed the ball past John De Sousa.  Although the replays showed the striker was offside when receiving the flick on the referee over ruled his ‘assistant’ and the goal stood.  The ball continued to be turned over by mUrdoch who struggled with the pace of teh game and it was not long before Kingsway went further ahead when the defence failed to make a challenge in the box and the shot was cooly curled into the far corner through a host of players.

Murdoch had their chances missing 2 golden 1 on 1 oportunities, and got on the score sheet through a fantastic long range effort from Neil McClure, blasting the ball over the giant keeper.  Certainly the highlight of what was a poor opening period for the purples.  Things got worse for Murdoch when Tommy brought down the winger in the box and the penalty was placed into the corner past the keepers out stretched arm.  The half ended on a sour note when Sverre got hs marching orders for decsent after being adjudged off side.  It was one of 5 bookings or sendings off on the day for talking back to the referee and is totally unacceptable.  These will come back to haunt MUSC in weeks to come if it continues in the same vain.

With 10 men, MUSC made most of the play but could not break down the Kingsway defence and and the scores remained 3-1 at full time.  It was certainly a wake up call for Murdoch who will have to bounce back against Lynwood next week with a more concentrated effort for 90 mins!   

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.

Round 2 saw 2 of the top teams in this years competition battle it out at Len Shearer.  It was an evenly matched game with both teams having periods of control in the match and neat football being played.  Murdoch were looking to play the ball on the floor, and with the introduction of Seb Trimm in the midfield and the tireless work of Shae Whatmore on the flanks the Murdoch team played with plenty of energy and moved the ball around well.

The early exchanges were fairly even, but the deadlock was broken by Dwain Fernandez as he put past his own keeper to open the scoring for Rovers.  A goal of real class, just at the wrong end.  Murdoch responded well by moving the ball around and creating chances.  It was from 2 dead ball siturations in quick succession that Murdoch levelled and soon after took the lead.  Anthony Walsh bundled in a the ball from a Trimm free kick and Sasa Gojic, who had an inspired game, headed in from Trimm free kick this time.  The purples went in at half time with their noses in front but knew that Rovers were very much still in the game.

Poor marking lead to Rovers equaliser when no-one picked up a runner at the far post when a cross was floated over from the right.  A soft goal to lose, but very well finished none the less.  Murdoch made 3 inspired changes in the second half, and it was a moment of magic from Princess Sverre that won the game for Murdoch 10 minutes from time.  He neatly controlled the ball on the thigh turned and volleyed low to the keepers right.  Murdoch could have stretched the lead 5 minutes later when they put the ball in the back of the net noly for it to be ruled off side.  It wasn’t comfortable for Murdoch, as Rovers were big, strong and well drilled, but took the points on what was a very pleasing afternoon for the Muscrats. 

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