Murdoch University Soccer Club

The 4th round of the cup saw the juicy rematch of last year’s cup fixture between Murdoch and Fremantle Croatia at Len Shearer Reserve. The last time these two teams met, Fremantle Croatia had four players sent off due to a mixture of ill-discipline and questionnable refereeing. Despite the advantage, Murdoch struggled to put Fremantle Croatia away, only just running out winners due to a late goal.

This rematch had everything that pre-match hype should have - the premier league team installed as underdogs, claims from the Fremantle camp that an undermanned team would be fielded and Murdoch looking forward to the prospect of knocking out arguably the amateur league’s up and comers.

1st Half

The first half saw Murdoch take charge from the outset. Fremantle Croatia seemed content to sit back and absorb the Murdoch attack and then try to stun the premier league team with counter attacks. A series of attacking corners saw Blaz Zoric go close directly from the corner, only a goal line clearance from the near post denying him. Rompy Rompington also found himself on the end of a couple of crosses but could not find the back of the net.

Fremantle Croatia sent an early scare through the Murdoch camp when a fast break lead to a hard and low cross being whipped across Murdoch’s six yard box, but fortunately there was nobody on the end of it. Croatia’s forward target was gradually being frustrated through a mixture of poor passes from his teammates plus some close attention from Fred and Rompington.

Murdoch’s midfield trio of John Brennan, Dave Drummond and Clayton Kendall found themselves with ample time on the ball and combined well with the hard working Shae and Blaz to feed both Meo Nintendo and Henrico. It was Meo who set up Murdoch’s first after about 15 minutes of play with some fine skill and strength on the ball allowing him to get behind the Croatia defence and cut a precise ball back to Shae who placed the ball wide of the Croatia keeper into the back of the net. 1 nil Murdoch.

So far this season, Murdoch have got complacent after going in front so all eyes were on the back line to ensure no equaliser was conceded. As it so happened, Croatia did not push forward in attack an instead persisted with a more defensive approach. The game was turned on its head slightly on the 35 minute mark when Croatia’s skipper was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Shae. The one player advantage seemed to give Murdoch too much time on the ball and Croatia withstood a large amount of Murdoch’s attacks.

Clayton Kendall went close to putting Murdoch two in front when a long throw from Matt Wilson was flicked on hit the back post before eventually being cleared. Meo also had a great opportunity when he found inself in front of goal with only the keeper to beat, but his shot was smashed over the bar.

At half time the score was still 1 nil in favour of Murdoch, which flattered the visitors.

2nd Half

The second half started out much like the first half with Murdoch dominating possession and looking the more likely of the two sides to score. A slight win advantage to Croatia meant that Murdoch’s defence and keeper Barrett needed to be on guard for a long range shot.

Meo continued to hound the Croatia defence and his efforts were rewarded about 5 minutes in the second half when a long throw from Matt Wilson was not dealt with by the Croatia defence and the ball sat nicely for Meo to header the ball just under the crossbar and into the Croatia net. 2 nil to Murdoch.

The player advtange was starting to show for the Murdoch lads until the playing field was levelled about 10 minutes into the second half when a sliding tackle from Dave Drummond was met with a red card from the referee. The advantage momentarily spurred Croatia to life as they attempted some long range efforts, one of which brought on a beautiful finger-tip save from Barrett.

It was now Murdoch’s turn to exploit Croatia on the counter attack when a lovely through ball to John Brennan who had been pushed up front sent him clear onto goal. Brennan rounded the keeper but his touch was slightly to heavy and he was forced to turn on the ball on the touch line, open up the angle again and then smash the ball into the back of the net before the Croatia keeper could get back. 3 nil Murdoch.

Croatia pulled one back shortly after when a cross into the box caught the sunlight and halted Barret in his tracks. The ball was contested but fell to the feet of the unmarked Croatia striker who easily placed the ball into the empty net. With about 20 minutes remaining, this spurred Croatia into life and soon Barrett was called on to make another fine save. The Croatia striker received a cross just inside the Murdoch 18 yard box and quickly fired a shot that Barrett got his fingertips on which pushed the ball onto the top of the Murdoch crossbar.

John Brennan soon put the game beyond doubt when some fine individual work saw him fire off a superb shot under pressure and left the keeper stranded in no mans land. Certainly the goal of the game and prompted the Murdoch faithful to go scrambling for the words to the Murdoch club song.

Full time Murdoch 4 - Fremantle Croatia 1 - No bloodshed.

Players - Andy Barrett, Matt Wilson, Fred, Rompy Rompington, Shae Whatmore, Blaz Zoric, Clayton Kendall, John Brennan, Dave Drummond, Meo Nintendo, Henrico Saeran

Subs used - Reginald

Scorers - Shae Whatmore, Meo Nintendo, John Brennan (2)

COP that!