Murdoch University Soccer Club

On a perfect day for football Murdoch were drawn away to the league leaders looking to avenge their league loss earlier in the season and to progress further in the cup. Strengthened by a few available
first teamers Lynwood set their stall out to attack Murdoch from the off. Under pressure Murdoch were failing to find a way of releasing the pressure as their retention of the ball was minimal. This pressure resulted in a couple of last gasp tackles and from one of these a corner was conceded. Murdoch failed to clear their lines and the ball was placed into the net from a fortuitous lofted shot.
Despite thsi setback Murdoch kept their heads and slight tactical change saw a change of forward line. This change allowed Murdoch to hold the ball up a bit better and play their game in the oppositions half. A freekick conceded on the byline by Lynwood was punished when Flav rose highest and looped his header over the home custodian. Jason “the poacher” Nurse ensured the goal would stand by heading home from 1cm!!!!

With the scores level Murdoch were looking to halftime when a Lynwood attacking move was well finished by their tall striker leaving Stewart with no chance. At 2-1 Murdoch started the second half determined to improve on their first half showing. Taps replaced Vince and the change of pace began to worry the Lynwood defence. With 25 minutes to go Taps broke free from a tackle and calmly placed the ball past the oncoming keeper. The equalising goal stung Lynwood who began to launch wave after wave of attack. This caused Stewart to produce a string of superb saves that singlehandedly took the game into penalties.

Murdoch penalties were all scored up until the 3rd which would have given them a lead. However this was missed as the pressure began to tell on both teams. A pressure penalty from Henriko took the game into sudden death where Stewart saved the first penalty. With an opportunity to win the game Stewart went from hero to villain as he steered the ball wide of the goal. Lynwood scored their next one leaving Murdoch and Rowan in particular to have to score. The penalty was saved and the rest as they say was history. Lynwood were deserved winners but Murdoch can take plenty from the game and have to bounce back this weekend against Fremantle. Unlucky boys sometimes hard work does not get rewarded keep playing with the same effort and commitment and the season will be a success.

Murdoch reserves made the short trip to play their local rivals at the weekend looking to pick up 3 valuable points before going into next weeks cup match. With the weather conditions being far from ideal the team looked to take advantage from the wind and soon took the lead when Jason Dixon bundled home a corner from Alex Kurz. As in previous weeks Murdoch failed to build on this lead and allowed spirit back into the game. An innocuous ball into the box was handle by a Murdoch player and a penalty awarded. The kick was well placed to the right of John whose quick reflexes allowed him to palm the ball onto the post and the defense cleared the ball to safety. Murdoch played on the counter but a failure to hit the target kept the spirit in the game. Shortly before halftime this inability to lengthen the lead was punished when a corner fell to the spirit striker who had time and room to smash the ball past john. At halftime some harsh words were mentioned and the team changed formation to a 4-4-2 with Taps making his first appearance for a number of weeks after injury. Taps soon began to have an influence on the match with his direct running.

Murdochs resurgence during the half saw them reclaim the lead when the impressive Fernandez crossed low and true for the onrushing Rohan Cross to steer him from close range. Two soon became three when Taps weaved into the box and slotted past the exposed spirit keeper. Despite the lead Murdoch defending into the lwind had plenty to do and a failure to clear the ball saw a wind assisted shot slip past the excellent Desousa in goal to give Spirit a lifeline with 10 minutes left. This lifeline was soon withdrawn when Murdoch scored the goal of the match as the impressive player coach weaved his way like a little eel through the spirit defence before playing a one two with Taps that saw the return ball cooly dispatched in at the far post. With the 2 goal lead restored Taps scored his second and Murdochs fifth as he latched onto a long ball and slotted home. This was a good second half performance by Murdoch but there is still work to be done.

Murdoch dropped crucial points from a fixture that really should have fielded all three points. Despite taking the field without a recognised striker and having to make a number of changes from the previous weeks demolition of Spearwood Murdoch got off to a flier when Tim Brewer forced the ball into the net after Maccabi had failed to properly clear a corner. Murdochs inability to retain the ball and to get their passing game going kept allowing Maccabi to counter and it was from one of thesee moves that their equalising goal came. Their forward nodding home a cross unchallenged. Despite this setback Murdoch soon regained the lead when some fine link up play from Dixon and Murray released Murray down the flank and allowed him to cross the ball for Brewer to bravely head home his second. Shortly after the goal Murdoch were forced into a change when the influential Jason Nurse left the pitch with a groin
injury.

Murdoch came in at the interval with the slenderest of advantages and started the second half with better possession. The Maccabi keeper pulled off a great double save from Blaz and the rebound shot from Dwaine and kept his team in the match with a number of claims from crosses. Murdoch had complete control but the quality of ball into the box was not good enough and allowed Maccabi to easily clear their lines each time. Murdoch were made to pay for this slackness when a hopeful run into the area allowed their forward to steer home their equaliser.

Murdoch huffed and puffed and a great save from a specualtive Blaz shot ensured that both sides would have a share of the spoils.