SPC Soccer match report: SPC 1st XI d SPC 2nd XI – August 18, 2021

St Patrick’s Senior’s 4 defeated St Patrick’s Reserves 0

GOALS: Ben Nash 2, Ajay Thapa, Jack Sheehan

BEST Jack Sheehan, Connor Gaffney, Bailey DeLivera, Jaz Singh, Noah Maggi, Will Cairns, Ben Nash

BEST RESERVES Luke Ozols, Gabe Thompson-Newbury, Declan Mong

After moving Ajay to the back row for the photo shoot, the game kicked off around 4:02 to begin this delayed BAS senior soccer season. What a great feeling for all involved to start this competition after last year completely missing the whole season due to the lockdowns!

The Seniors started a little shakily with a halfhearted back pass not reaching the target and a flurry by the Reserves through Ngor Bar drawing a save from our keeper Noah Maggi. We retaliated down the other end with a smart series of passes Ben Nash to Nicholas Hontzogloy and onto Connor Gaffney putting pressure on their keeper Luke Ozols, who made the first of his many saves to stop our attack. The Seniors were being threatened and reliance on back passing was causing more pressure on our last line than should have been the case.

Jack Sheehan playing in a defensive midfield role was the rock that we were starting to springboard off and a pass to Jaz Singh gave him a clear shot but it was kept out. Somehow, our starting lineup was disturbed and it appeared that we had reverted to a single forward up front much to the chagrin of the coach, but that would be fixed at half time.

Nicholas Hontzogloy placed a lovely ball onto Jaz Singh and his shot forced another good save by their keeper. Likewise, Ajay Thapa ran the ball from the center and clipped a ball soon after, that looked like clearing the keeper but it was again thwarted by Ozols. We wasted two corners as the kicks cleared any connection possible – to be noted for the future when playing on this pitch.

Finally, it was Tom Latrobe who was getting on top of his opponent on the wing, that was able to play the perfect ball to Ajay Thapa and he ran past a few inside defenders before delivering to the right of the keeper for our first goal (1-0). It could have been two nil at the change, with Jaz Singh’s classy run setting up the possibility, but his shot went glaringly close to the bar on the half time.

The second half was a very different affair with the Senior team showing dominance across the pitch and finally in front of goals. Captain Connor Gaffney showed his poise and strength with a number of drives through the center and Bailey De Livera was attacking from the defensive line. Two changes in Will Cairns onto the wing and Sean Weigall in back left also made an immediate mark on the game. With Declan Andrew at central defense and Jack Sheehan continuing to control the mid defensive spot, the Seniors began to see many chances up front. Jaz Singh found Ajay Thapa and his strong drive just missed the right post.

Alex Pituch was getting chances and went close with a number of shots, but he was also passing forward to advantage others. Smart work near the 18 yards saw Alex centre the ball and Ben Nash was present dead in front to finish it off 2-0. Shortly afterwards, Ben doubled when he got a ball at the top of the 18 yards and he kicked a powerful swinging goal to the right of the hapless keeper 3-0.

We had finally shown our class and this was cemented by Jack Sheehan dribbling past three opponents before finding space and beating the goal keeper for the 4-0 final score line. An important match for the Seniors to gel together and pick up on team expectations.