Season 2006 - Round 8 - A Team - Macedonia vs Ingle Farm

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A TEAM MATCH REPORT

ROUND 8
MACEDONIA vs INGLE FARM
BRAHMA LODGE FOOTBALL CLUB
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2006

Ingle Farm succumbed to lowly Macedonia Utd today at Brahma Lodge in argueably its worst result of the season so far. The deflating 1-0 loss knocked Farm off the top of the ladder, nearly half-way into the season.

Farm started the match well on top. They dominated possession and created all the chances as Macedonia were being found out all over the park. Torsten Rutter started well for Farm and he was unlucky in the 30th minute when his 25 yard shot hit the crossbar.

Brendan Altus, Barry Fitzharris and Leon Hannessen were all playing well in the midfield for Farm while Mario and Anthony Staltari were playing well from the back.

However letting the visitors down was its finishing as shots were hit wide of the target or straight at Macedonia's keeper. This has been the teams downfall too many times this season in crunch games, when they have needed goals.

Farm was punished for its inaccuracy in the 42nd minute when Macedonia undeservingly took the lead. On one of their few attacks of the half, the ball deflected onto Hannessen's arm inside Farm's 18 yard box, resulting in a penalty to Macedonia. The spot kick hit the net, 1-0 to Macedonia.

Halftime: Macedonia 1, Ingle Farm 0.

After the break Farm tried to step up the pace. The visitors dominated possession as Macedonia were chasing shadows.

Sadly Farm were failing up front. The continual breakdown of play in its forward third was taking its toll on the players as urgency and frustration set in. Anthony Martini and Chris Ennis were introduced with 25 minutes remaining in an attempt to increase scoring opportunities.

In the 75th minute it appeared Farm had been thrown a lifeline when the referee awarded them a penalty after a Maco defender hand-balled. The resulting spot kick was saved, only to be re-taken, and the Maco keeper yellow carded. The re-take sadly hit the crossbar and was cleared by Maco's defense.

Farm had about 10 corners and 10 other shots in the final half an hour, but they could not get the ball past Macedonia's outstanding keeper. Time and time again he thwarted Farm by plucking the ball effortlessly off the goal line. Argueably he was Macedonia's only individual winner on the day.

Going by the amount of chances it created, Farm can consider themselves unlucky. However it is the first time this season Ingle Farm failed to score in a match. Good games came from Leon Hannessen, Brendan Altus, Torsten Rutter and the Staltari boys.

The unexpected loss has removed Farm from the top of the table after 8 Rounds. Farm now trail Para Hills East by two points.

Final score: Macedonia 1, Ingle Farm 0

ROUND 7 - B TEAM (C's BYE)

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ROUND 8 - B TEAM