Round 14 - Oakleigh

The Under 12B East team arrived at Jack Edwards Reserve on a cold & rainy day hoping to maintain their winning ways and to cement 2nd place on the ladder. The main pitch at Oakleigh was looking great. Unfortunately we were playing on the paddock behind. The line markings at one end were hard to see particularly the 18 yard box but more of that later!!

The Box Hill boys created chances from the start and within 5 minutes were ahead when Blayne slashed in a shot from a tight angle over on the right to score his second goal in 2 now he is playing at Right Wing. Box Hill continued to press but neither of our strikers in Josh or Devon could find the back of the net. Brendan & Declan continued to battle it out in the centre of the park to keep the pressure on Oakleigh and eventually the pressure told with an Oakleigh player handling in the box so it was penalty time. Gab stepped up and slotted the ball away nicely to take the score top 0-2. Box Hill continued to penetrate the Oakleigh defence, particularly from out wide and managed to cut the ball back but unfortunately were not able to put the ball in the back of the net as it flashed across the goal mouth. When Oakleigh did penetrate into our half they were ably marshalled by Jonty out on the left & Curtis on the Right who both pressured their players & when the ball popped up played intelligent passes out of defence. Matt & Jesse were able to mop up any of the crumbs that got through. Box Hill had numerous chances in the 1st half but only managed to convert the 2.

Martin made 4 changes in the 2nd half switching to a 3-5-2 formation. Ben was up front with Devon, Carl played in the centre of midfield, Sam played as a defensive midfielder in front of the 3 man defence & Jonty moved over to the Right Back position to allow Patrick to take up his customary position as Left Back. During one passage of play Carl received a ball played a brilliant first time pass to Devon to put him 1 on 1 with the keeper however he put the ball over the cross bar. The game was more end to end in the 2nd half & Tim had to make a couple of saves. Unfortunately from one he stepped outside of the non existent 18 yard box & Box Hill were penalised with a free kick due to the fact that the Ref hadn’t ensured adequate line markings!! The free kick was nicely taken by Oakleigh who scored to make it 1-2 and game on!! Box Hill struck back in true Box Hill fashion and after a great passage of play through the middle, Devon scored to make it 1-3. This took the wind out of Oakleigh’s sails & the pressure off Box Hill. Captain of the day Matt took a knock in the thigh so Josh was brought on to sweep and did a very good job of snuffing out a couple of Oakleigh attacks.

The final whistle went & Box Hill had done the job & got the 3 points in average conditions on an average pitch.

Next week Richmond visit Wembley & will provide a stern test for the boys.