2006 SEASON - saasl division 2

A TEAM MATCH REPORT

ROUND 16
FULHAM vs INGLE FARM
COLLINS RESERVE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20th, 2006

A poor first half, coupled with a silly error midway into the second half cost Ingle Farm three valuable points, as it disappointingly lost 4-2 away at Fulham today.

In warm, windy conditions, both teams started the match wary of the other. The two clubs had been in good form prior to this match.

Fulham had the advantage of a gusty northerly wind during the first half, however few chances were made in the opening 10 minutes for the home team.

In the 15th minute Farm should have taken the lead when a fine cross by Anthony Ragazzo was not finished by Ricky Simpson from 5 yards as Fulham's keeper made a sharp save.

The resulting rebounding attack lead to Fulham's opening goal. The home team's fast break opened up the visitors as they beat the offside trap to score with a shot from 12 yards.
1-0 to Fulham.

Farm responded in the 30th minute when Ragazzo again set up Simpson who unluckily hit the crossbar from 18 yards.

Fulham responded with a wave of attacks, their best chance falling to a player on the far post who missed a glaring opportunity with an open goal beckoning in the 35th minute.

However the home team did manufacture a second goal moments later as Farm were again caught square at the back, allowing the Fulham player to finish well from a slight angle.
2-0 to Fulham.

Halftime: Fulham 2 Ingle Farm 0.

Farm brilliantly fought back early in the second half and soon got well on top. Fulham had suddenly stopped and allowed Farm back into the match.

Substitute Torsten Rutter was introduced in the 50th minute, and made an immediate impact up front for Farm, troubling Fulham's ordinary defense.

In the 52nd minute, Farm were awarded a penalty after a Fulham defender hand balled in their defensive 18 yard box. Farm's Mario Staltari stepped up to coolly finish the resulting spot kick. Fulham 2, Ingle Farm 1.

Farm again hit the crossbar in the 56th minute when the lucky Fulham keeper misjudged a long range shot from 25 yards.

Rutter then earned Farm a second penalty as his storming run into the Fulham 18 yard box resulted in a careless challenge that brought the Farm striker down. Mario Staltari again stepped up to smack home the spot kick. Fulham 2, Ingle Farm 2.

Fulham were on the ropes awaiting their knockout. The home team had stopped to a walk as Farm had all the momentum with 25 minutes to play, and a strong breeze at its back.

It was therefore disappointing for Farm's players and supporters when in a mad moment, an unnecessary play of the ball in defense resulted in Fulham recapturing the lead in the 65th minute. Farm watched in horror as the ridiculous error in judgment allowed a goal bound interception to swing the game back in favor of the home team. 3-2 to Fulham.

The home team had been thrown a lifeline and further capitalized minutes later when Farm were caught out while pushing forward in search of a desperate equalizer as a weak Fulham shot from 16 yards beat Farm keeper Colin Smith. 4-2 to Fulham.

Farm had blown it. With no time left to get back into the match, the remaining minutes were played in fury by the visitors as they desperately tried to dig up a reply, to no avail.

After the match, Farm Head Coach Paul Simpson lamented that "Two errors by an individual cost us dearly today." However with other results seemingly favoring Farm, the loss is not all doom and gloom.

The team remains in second place, with 1st-placed East to meet 3rd-placed West Beach this week. The club will also welcome the return of David Ennis after family commitments in the Riverland this week.

Final score: Fulham 4, Ingle Farm 2.