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