ROUND 1
ELIZABETH DOWNS vs INGLE FARM
ARGANA PARK, ELIZABETH DOWNS
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2009
After a solid pre-season consisting of winning every game and only conceding one goal, Ingle Farm were more than ready to play the Downs.
It was a promising start for the Farm, who for the first 20 minutes were in control of the game. Michael Clarke was causing havoc down the left hand side and crossed in some great balls.
It wasn’t long after that when Clarke broke the deadlock with a long-range shot that went perfectly over the keeper into the roof of the net. 1-0 to Farm.
Within the next 10 minutes the game changed and the Downs began to press and assert their presence on the game. A weak clearance out of defence saw Down's defender Burt Fuda, with his back to Farm's goal, milk a soft penalty that was then converted.
An unknown player for the Downs with a cracking left foot then turned the game on its head, striking two very similar shots from the edge of the box. The first rocketed into the goal past a helpless Rob Greenwood and the second Rob managed to get a hand to only to see it hit the post and roll into the other side of the net.
The score at half time was 3-1 to the Downs.
The second half was one-way traffic as Ingle Farm threw everything at the Downs in an effort to at least get something out of the game. Lee Cockerill in his first official game for the Farm against his old club laid some hard tackles. Some pushing and shoving in the second half resulted in him receiving a yellow card.
As the dominance continued with little luck in front of goal and trouble finding the final ball through, Paul Simpson made 3 substitues in pretty quick succession. Jarrad Rich came onto the left hand side, Evan Emmanuel came onto the right and Wade Dingle gave another attacking option up front.
Within little time at all, Jarrad Rich fired in a hard and low corner to the near post that Ricky Simpson flicked on into the far side of the net. 3-2.
Jarrad continued to cause problems for the defence with his long throws and excellent corners. One long throw saw Paul Jones get in behind the defence only to be pulled down in the box, with the referee awarding nothing.
The final score was 3-2 to the Downs. It was a disappointing start to the year. Ingle Farm were the better side on the day but couldn’t make it count where it mattered (on the scoreboard).
Final score: Elizabeth Downs 3 Ingle Farm 2.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 2
INGLE FARM vs ELIZABETH VALE
WALKLEY PARK, INGLE FARM
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009
In a hard fought win, a truly gritty performance, Ingle Farm came away with maximum points from the game with a 1-0 win.
In the first half there were chances at both ends of the pitch to open the scoring. Rob Greenwood pulled off a sublime stop from a Michael Brooks half volley, tipping the ball over the bar. Paul Jones also had an opportunity to score with some excellent build up play from Dave Ennis, Scott Gannon and Jarrod Rich that saw the ball drop to Jonesy only to hit his shot straight at the keeper.
As the first half progressed Ingle Farm began to control the midfield and created a few good chances. Scott Gannon managed to flick a ball in the corner over his opponent to get brought down in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot where Anthony Staltari stepped up and slotted the ball straight down the middle into the net. 1-0 to the Farm.
Anthony Ragazzo came on for Jarrod Rich at the beginning of the second half and Barry Fitzpatrick was given clear instructions at the break to ensure Eric (number 9) from the Vale didn’t influence the game. Barry did a pretty good job with Eric’s only influence being a sweetly hit free kick that curled a mile and came back off the upright.
The second half was influenced by some wet conditions and due to both teams not wanting to make mistakes at the back the long ball game was implemented. Scott Gannon broke through a couple of times to have his shots saved. Wade Dingle was also brought into the game in the second half and his pace up front caused problems for the Vale defence.
A late surge by Vale saw a Michael Brooks shot go narrowly past the far post, but it was the courageous effort from all 13 of the Farm players that took the pitch that prevailed. A solid performance from all 3 at the back for the Farm Chris Ennis, Michael Clark and Anthony Staltari, who were brilliant all day in keeping a clean sheet. A great way to begin putting points on the board for the 2009 season with a gutsy win against last years premiers.
In a hard fought win, a truly gritty performance, Ingle Farm came away with maximum points from the game with a 1-0 win.
In the first half there were chances at both ends of the pitch to open the scoring. Rob Greenwood pulled off a sublime stop from a Michael Brooks half volley, tipping the ball over the bar.
Paul Jones also had an opportunity to score with some excellent build up play from Dave Ennis, Scott Gannon and Jarrad Rich that saw the ball drop to Jonesy only to hit his shot straight at the keeper.
As the first half progressed Ingle Farm began to control the midfield and created a few good chances. Scott Gannon managed to flick a ball in the corner over his opponent to get brought down in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot where Anthony Staltari stepped up and slotted the ball straight down the middle into the net. 1-0 to the Farm.
Anthony Ragazzo came on for Jarrad Rich at the beginning of the second half and Barry Fitzharris was given clear instructions at the break to ensure Eric Ainsworth from the Vale didn’t influence the game. Barry did a pretty good job with Eric’s only influence being a sweetly hit free kick that curled a mile and came back off the upright.
The second half was influenced by some wet conditions and due to both teams not wanting to make mistakes at the back the long ball game was implemented. Scott Gannon broke through a couple of times to have his shots saved. Wade Dingle was also brought into the game in the second half and his pace up front caused problems for the Vale defence.
A late surge by Vale saw a Michael Brooks shot go narrowly past the far post, but it was the courageous effort from all 13 of the Farm players that took the pitch that prevailed.
A solid performance from all 3 at the back for the Farm Chris Ennis, Michael Clark and Anthony Staltari, who were brilliant all day in keeping a clean sheet. A great way to begin putting points on the board for the 2009 season with a gutsy win against last year’s premiers.
Final score: Ingle Farm 1 Elizabeth Vale 0.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 3
SALISBURY INTER vs INGLE FARM
UNDERDOWN PARK, SALISBURY NORTH
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009
Ingle Farm traveled away to Salisbury Inter in round 3. Coming off the back of a good win against Elizabeth Vale, and the weekend off over Easter, it was imperative that Ingle Farm collected all 3 points against recently promoted Inter to continue their push toward the top of the table.
In a rather non-eventful first half Ingle Farm were certainly the better side controlling the majority of the play and Inter predominantly opting for a long ball style. Scott Gannon linked up well with Paul Jones on two occasions with the defense managing to snuff out both attacks. 0-0 was the score at half time.
After the break the floodgates opened. Lee Cockerill came on for Michael Clark at half time and within minutes of the restart David Eggers hit a 25 yard strike that went top left corner, leaving the keeper helpless.
Minutes later Anthony Ragazzo broke down the right hand side and hit a telling ball over the top of the Inter defense where he picked out Paul Jones. On the run Paul controlled the ball and chipped the bouncing ball over an over-committed keeper. 2-0.
Ingle Farm continued to control the match and Dave Eggers who was dominating the midfield played a great first time ball to the pacey Wade Dingle. Wade broke through into the box only to be brought down resulting in a penalty. Anthony Staltari “the penalty specialist” stepped up for the second time in two matches to calmly slot the ball home.
Chris Ennis, Anthony Staltari and Lee Cockerill were solid at the back and Barry Fitzharris continued to make the defensive midfield position his own. Evan Emmanuel was involved in a couple of solid tackles throughout the second half down the left hand side and Anthony Ragazzo was beginning to dominate on the right. It was Anthony who half way through the second half managed to score Farm’s fourth. He cut in on the right struck his first shot into the keeper only to have it deflect straight back to him where he made no mistake with his follow up shot beating the keeper on his near post.
The last 15 minutes saw a complete change in the game. Dave Eggers came off for Ricky Simpson and Anthony Ragazzo was replaced by Boo. Inter also made some changes and the nothing to lose approach started to pay off. After Inter had a shot come back off the post and a couple of shots go over the bar, a ball dropped to an Inter midfielder who struck a cracking right foot volley from 20 yards.
As Inter begun to push Ingle Farm seemed to be ‘out of steam’. A crunching tackle on the left hand side saw Evan Emmanuel go down hurt. The resulting throw-in was taken quickly with players out of position an Inter player ran down their right hand side crossing the ball deep across the box, amazingly dropped into the goal.
4-2 the final score. A good result away from home for the Farm although a little disappointing finish to a good game.
None-the-less, 2 wins from 3 games puts the Farm in the mix and pushing for that sort after top spot.
Final score: Salisbury Inter 2 Ingle Farm 4.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 4
INGLE FARM vs PONTIAN EAGLES
WALKLEY PARK, INGLE FARM
SUNDAY, APRIL 26 2009
After three days of torrential rain, the most Adelaide had seen in nine months, Walkley’s Park was holding up well for the contest between third placed Ingle Farm and bottom placed Pontian Eagles. Anthony Ragazzo was sidelined with an injury and Ingle Farm saw the return of Dave Ennis and Torsten Rutter who had been playing with Adelaide Hills.
It was inside five minutes when Evan Emmanuel got on the end of a deep cross cutting in from the left placing the ball into the onion bag. At this stage it seemed Pontian’s poor run may continue with the ease and pace Farm begun the game. It was perhaps this attitude that allowed Pontian’s to level the score only a minute later. A sharp turn on the edge of the box and a cool head saw the Pontian striker calmly slot the ball into the net.
Paul Jones got Ingle Farm back on track a few minutes later when a beautifully taken free kick by Scott Gannon floated over the Pontian defence where Jones volleyed the ball into the bottom left hand corner. It was these two that linked up again for the third. Ricky Simpson struck a cracking shot only to hit it straight at the keeper with the resulting deflection falling to Scott Gannon in the box near the right hand side touchline. Gannon skipped past his opponent and cut the ball back to Jones who again volleyed the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
It was Gannon who scored the forth for the Farm after making a forward run through the midfield where Jones turned and played him in. He skipped around the keeper and put the ball away to make the score line 4-1 at half-time to Ingle Farm.
Rob Greenwood pulled off a couple of good stops late in the half quick to come of his line and snuff out the Pontian attacks.
Paul Simpson, Ingle Farm’s coach, emphasised at half time the importance of ensuring Pontian’s didn’t get back into the game as at 4-1 the Farm weren’t home and hosed yet.
It was Dave Eggers who made it five after about ten minutes into the second half. With a stunning shot from the edge of the box making it two gaols from two games for the midfielder.
Torsten Rutter came on for Wade Dingle up front for the Farm about midway through the second half. He made an immediate impact scoring Farm’s sixth. Anthony Staltari chased down a ball that was destined to go out for a goal kick down the right hand side, managed to dispossess the Pontian defender and cut the ball back for Torsten who made no mistake.
Lee Cockerill then came on for Anthony Staltari and Dave Ennis came on for Scott Gannon in a double substitution for the Farm with about fifteen minutes to go.
Rob Greenwood managed to pull of a great one on one save late in the game, as well as doing enough earlier in the half to come out causing the Pontian striker to miss what seemed to be a certain goal, when he broke through one on one.
Paul Jones completed the rout with about ten minutes to go pouncing on a keepers fumble to complete his hattrick and make the final score line 7-1 to the Farm. Chris Ennis had a late header disallowed for a suspect offside. A great result for the Farm making it 3 wins from 3 games and a big boost to their goal difference.
Final score: Ingle Farm 7 Pontian Eagles 1.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 5
USC LION vs INGLE FARM
LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS, GRANGE
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2009
Ingle Farm were looking to break the hoodoo at USC Lion’s ground. Their results there in the past few meetings at Grange had been far from impressive and if Ingle Farm were going to mount a serious title challenge, this was a game it had to take maximum points from.
The conditions were surprisingly calm, unlike previous matches down at Grange Reserve. Little wind, blue skies and a reasonable playing surface set the scene for the all-important match. Paul Simpson had selection headaches of a good kind with nearly a full squad to pick from. This saw arguably the strongest bench in the league with Anthony Ragazzo, Lee Cockerill, Dave Ennis and Wade Dingle chomping at the bit to get on.
The early signs were good for Ingle Farm who took control of the match. Scott Gannon started the game sharply with some quick turns and mazy runs causing havoc for the Lion’s defence. Paul Jones had a couple of chances early with a header and volley going over the bar, as well as the Lion keeper making a smart save to deny him. Torsten Rutter finally broke the deadlock some 20 minutes in after Gannon again skipped past a player on the right hand side crossing a firm low ball across the box where Rutter calmly slotted the ball home.
Michael Clark, Chris Ennis and Anthony Staltari were determined to keep a clean sheet and snuffed out every Lion attack with ease. Staltari gave ‘danger man’ Dobric no room to move and Chris Ennis won everything in the air. It was Chris who managed to get his head onto a well-taken corner, towering above the Lion defence heading the ball down towards the keeper. Goal sneak, Paul Jones, who was standing on the keeper managed to get the faintest of touches to guide the ball into the net.
The first half continued to see chance after chance go begging for the Farm leaving the half time score at amazingly only 2-0.
The second half continued in similar fashion to the first with Ingle Farm creating numerous chances. Dave Eggers set up the third after drawing in the defence; he played in Paul Jones who smacked the ball past a helpless Lion keeper. Moments later Jones completed his second hattrick in 2 weeks after he beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the keeper.
Rutter scored his second for the match when he also beat the offside trap smacking the ball into the roof of the net. More chances were created as the Lion’s defence began to tire. Gannon and Emmanuel had opportunities to improve the scoreline, but didn’t quite have the final shot. Ragazzo came on for Rutter with about 15 minutes to go and Dave Ennis came on in the midfield for Eggers. 5-0 was the final score, but it could have easily been double that had Farm taken their chances.
The win sees Ingle Farm go to second on the ladder after Para Hills West defeated league leaders Salisbury Florina 3-1. Ingle Farm are now only one point behind Para Hills West, equal on points with Salisbury Florina, but holding onto second spot with a superior goal difference.
Final score: USC Lion 0 Ingle Farm 5.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 6
INGLE FARM vs PARA HILLS WEST
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2009
In the top of the table match Para Hills West managed to move four points clear of Ingle Farm. There was plenty of hype surrounding this game and in misty conditions a big crowd turned up to watch these two sides go at it.
The first tackle of the game on Farm player Michael Clark resulted in a yellow card for his opponent and this was the first of many cards to be distributed in a fiery game.
The Ingle Farm midfield consisting of Scott Gannon, Dave Eggers and Barry Fitzharris were controlling the game and Ingle Farm had the majority of the possession early. Dave Ennis and Paul Jones up front for the Farm were looking lively and their runs were causing constant trouble for the West defence.
Then against the run of play Para Hills West begun hitting long balls, which were effectively being flicked on, and causing the Farm defence some issues. Mid-way through the first half a long ball was flicked on in the box resulting in an excellent reflex save by Farm keeper Rob Greenwood. The resulting parry was pounced upon quickest by the West player, who made no mistake.
Ingle Farm continued to play good football but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. Lee Cockerill was hard as nails at the back, but there seemed to be some confusion when the referee appeared to give him a second yellow card, but failed to send him off. The teams went into half time Para Hills West 1 Ingle Farm 0.
The second half begun to heat up as both team were desperate to take maximum points. Some strong tackled were being applied all over the ground and the referees inconsistency meant that things begun to get a little out of hand. Evan Emmanuel came on at half time for the Farm and after only playing about 15 minutes was substituted for a fired up Anthony Ragazzo.
Mid-way through the second half Para Hills West won a corner that was hit high into the box, as Ingle Farm goalkeeper Rob Greenwood begun to go for the ball he was dragged down an pushed into the ground by two West players resulting in the ball ending up in the net. As everyone was waiting for a free kick to be called the referee simply pointed the centre circle and begun running back to the kick off spot.
This spurred on the Farm players even more as they begun to get even hungrier for the ball. Anthony Ragazzo was involved in a couple of big tackles, Barry Fitzharris was dominating in the midfield and runs by Gannon and Jones saw the West defence under pressure and they resorted to bringing down these players from behind.
The head of Chris Ennis gave the Farm a lifeline moments later when he towered over the West defence to collect his second header in as many weeks. West were under pressure and they could sense a comeback was on the cards. Their goalkeeper was wasting loads of time with each goal kick and the West players were bickering amongst themselves.
Anthony Ragazzo was then involved in another hard tackle down the left hand side of midfield. The resulting frustration boiled over into a scuffle. As Ragazzo was given his marching orders there was again confusion over which West player was also involved. After plenty of finger pointing, a West defender was given his second yellow and he joined Ragazzo in having an early shower.
Farm made tactical changes putting Chris Ennis up front to see if they could get something from the game. But it wasn’t to be. The referee amazingly played no time added on after such an eventful half and Para Hills West grit got them over the line. They now move four points ahead of Ingle Farm and hold onto top spot.
Final score: Ingle Farm 1 Para Hills West 2.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 7
SALISBURY FLORINA vs INGLE FARM
UNDERDOWN PARK
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009
In a game of two halves Salisbury Florina managed to edge past a flat looking Ingle Farm and move to the top of the ‘Sunday Premier A’ division.
Within minutes of the opening kick off, Salisbury Florina were one up. Rob Greenwood had made an excellent save from the initial shot but the Farm defence were slow to react to the save, which was pounced upon by the Florina wingback.
The first half saw Florina dictate play and many Farm players were second to the ball and often caught ‘ball watching’. It wasn’t long before Florina doubled their lead when Rob Greenwood in the Farm goals pulled off another outstanding save that was again pounced upon quickest by Florina.
Rob Greenwood was about the only Farm player to show any resistance in the first half as he denied the competitions leading goal scorer Aaron Westervelt not only once but twice as the striker broke through on separate occasions.
Florina made it three shortly after, when a dubious offside was turned down and the Florina player made no mistake. Farm made a late surge towards the end of the first half with Chris Ennis winning a free header from a corner with the result going just over. Ricky Simpson also had a header take a slight deflection misdirecting the attempt on goal and Dave Ennis nearly had a goalmouth scramble go in only to see the ball trickle past the right hand post. The score was 3-0 in favour of Florina at half time.
The second half saw Farm coach Paul Simpson make some radical changes. Dave Eggers and Barry Fitzharris came off in the midfield and Torsten Rutter and Lee Cockerill came on. The Ingle Farm team had a big reshuffle and it seemed to change the game immediately.
Ricky Simpson gave Ingle Farm a lifeline when his header from a Scott Gannon cross found the back of the net. Ingle Farm continued to press and Torsten Rutter made a telling run hitting a well-timed shot just wide. Scott Gannon also found himself through on goal midway through the second half driving his shot into Florina’s keeper. Lee Cockerill also had a ball drop to him in the box only to hit his shot over the bar.
Salisbury Florina were looking a tired side and Ingle Farm’s fitness was beginning to show. Florina were resorting to a long ball style of game trying to catch Farm on the quick counter attack.
Chances continued to fall to the Farm and Ricky Simpson had a shot narrowly go past the far post. It was Paul Jones who gave the Farm a hope of getting something out of the game when he brought down an attempted clearance on his thigh and volleyed the ball through a crowded box for his eighth goal of the campaign.
It was too little too late for Ingle Farm whose poor first half performance had proved too difficult to come back from. Salisbury Florina 3-2 winners, which now sees Ingle Farm drop to fifth place on the ladder.
Final score: Salisbury Florina 3 Ingle Farm 2.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 8
INGLE FARM vs FULHAM UTD
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009
Ingle Farm got back to its winning ways after accounting for Fulham 3-1 at Walkley Park last weekend.
After a couple of early scares which saw Farm goalkeeper Rob Greenwood pull off two outstanding one on one saves, Dave Eggers netted the opening goal of the game. Eggers drifted into the box and hit a well-timed shot across the keeper inside the far post.
It wasn’t long after that Paul Jones, playing as left wing back, attacked a Fulham clearance with pace stealing the ball off his opponent and racing into the box. With three Fulham defenders around him they brought him down resulting in a Farm penalty. Anthony Staltari who had already scored twice from the spot this season stepped up. After sending the keeper the wrong way he failed to place the ball far enough away from the keeper who managed to get a trailing foot tothe ball saving the shot.
Before the break Fulham managed to get back on level terms through a clearance from a corner that was quickly played back into the box. The high ball in, found a mismatch of players as the Farm defence was pushing forward, the tall Fulham midfielder placed a powerful header past Greenwood in goals leaving him no chance.
Halftime 1-1.
Ingle Farm captain Chris Ennis wrote his name all over the game in the second half scoring two near identical goals from two very well taken corners. His powerful headers were beautifully executed as Fulham failed to mark the centre back’s well timed runs into the box.
Scott Gannon was again creating plenty of chances with his well-executed passing and crossing and Michael Clark and Lee Cockerill were snuffing out all of the Fulham attacks. Torsten Rutter applied lots of pressure on the Fulham defence along with Ricky Simpson up front and Ingle Farm came away deserving winners.
The win keeps Ingle Farm in touch with league leaders Salisbury Florina, who drew with Parafield Gardens. The Farm are just 4 points behind Florina with the greatest goal difference in the league.
Final Score: Ingle Farm 3 vs. Fulham 1.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 9
INGLE FARM vs PARAFIELD GARDENS
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2009
After a week off then a cup round, Parafield Gardens visited Walkley Park in fine sunny conditions to take on Ingle Farm in an all important league match between fourth and fifth on the ladder. The end of the game would signal the midway point of the season and give some indication of where all teams are at after playing each other once.
Ingle Farm and Parafield Gardens were both coming off wins in the second round of the cup last week and were both keen to take points from this game to bridge the gap at the top of the ladder.
The first half saw Farm and Gardens tussle for possession and the game seesawed with both teams having patches where they looked to get on top. Barry Fitzharris and David Ennis were working extremely hard in the midfield and managed to limit the number of touches the Parafield Garden’s playmakers were receiving.Torsten Rutter and Wade Dingle were putting a lot of pressure on the Garden’s defence and Staltari, Clark and Chris Ennis were snuffing out the Gardens attacks at the back.
The half time score was 0-0, probably a fair result for both teams on how the first half panned out.
The second half started out much like the first, with both teams controlling passages of play. Anthony Ragazzo and Ricky Simpson were providing Ingle Farm with some good width and the farm midfield of Fitzharris, D.Ennis and Jones were communicating well and picking up tight in defence.
Rob Greenwood was again required to pull of some excellent saves in the Farm goal. His form of late has been first class and again he kept farm in the game by keeping a clean sheet. Gardens were unlucky at one point with a shot hitting the post.
Midway through the second half Scott Gannon came on for Ragazzo. He went on up front and Wade Dingle moved out onto the right. With the game in the balance and the game heading towards a scoreless draw, a Gannon cross saw the Garden’s keeper come out only to have Ricky Simpson win an all important header that dropped to non other than captain Chris Ennis who put the ball into the net with an outstretched leg in the 87th minute.
The resulting celebrations saw the Garden’s goalkeeper lose his temper and he lashed out at Farm striker Torsten Rutter. The resulting action saw him sent off. In the final minutes Gardens threw some rash challenges and Farm held their nerve to take all three points and move to within two points of league leaders Elizabeth Downs. Lee Cockerill came on as a late substitution to celebrate the win on the park.
The top four teams are now all within two points of each other at the midway point of the season (Elizabeth Downs, Para Hills West, Salisbury Florina & Ingle Farm), which should make for an entertaining climax to the end of the season. Ingle Farm takes on Elizabeth Downs next week at Walkley Park in what is sure to be another great contest.
Final Score: Ingle Farm 1 vs. Parafield Gardens 0.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 10
INGLE FARM vs ELIZABETH DOWNS
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009
In an all-important game at Walkley Park between first placed Elizabeth Downs and forth placed Ingle Farm, two points was all that separated the two sides going into the game.
Elizabeth Downs had re-signed, big man, Tony Reeves from Playford during the week and Michael McGiven returned to Ingle Farm for the first time since leaving earlier in the season. Ingle Farm had changes of it’s own, with news during that week that Scott Gannon had left the club in search of greener pastures at Modbury Vista.
All was set for a ‘cracker’ game, which saw Ingle Farm going in as underdogs as they hadn’t beaten the Downs in the past three seasons.
Ingle Farm got off to a flying start. After a great cross into the box (some ten minutes into the game), which saw Chris Ennis challenge in the air, the ball fell to Paul Jones on the edge of the box. He struck the ball through a crowded area finding the bottom left hand side of the net. 1-0 to the Farm.
For the remainder of the first half Elizabeth Downs pressed hard and put Ingle Farm under a lot of pressure, but to Ingle Farm’s credit they held firm to go into the half time break with a slender 1-0 lead. Chirs Ennis, Lee Cockerill and Michael Clark were solid at the back and Barry Fitzharris landed some very strong tackles in the middle of the park making the midfield his own (Barry has had a fantastic season so far playing in that role for the Farm). Anthony Ragazzo who was playing on the right hand side was also involved in some physical work landing him with a yellow card.
The second half opened up a lot more with both sides seeming to have more time on the ball and both sides adopted a less direct style of play. Ricky Simpson was working extremely hard down the left hand side for the Farm and David Ennis’ work rate was incredible in the middle of the park. Evan Emmanuel also came on for Anthony Ragazzo on the right at the beginning of the second half.
It was a long cross into the box which saw Ingle Farm’s keeper Rob Greenwood come and smartly punch the ball away from danger. However the Downs quickly put the ball back into the hot spot where Greenwood again was first to the ball. There seemed to be a foul committed as he went to grab the ball not only once in the air but also on the ground. In a goalmouth scramble Downs striker Reeves turned the ball into the net. The referee seemed to be waving his hands as if the goal was disallowed for a foul on the keeper, only to change his mind and make his way back to the half way mark.
The goal seemed to spur Ingle Farm on. David Eggers who was contesting well in the middle of the park had a header well saved by the Elizabeth Downs keeper Ben Aldridge. Torsten Rutter was covering a lot of ground up front and linking up well with the Farm midfield. But it was a Ricky Simpson corner that found none other than the captain Chris Ennis on the back post, who nodded in his fifth goal of the campaign putting the Farm back in front.
Wade Dingle came on for the injured Evan Emmanuel shortly after, and his blistering pace down the right hand side caused problems for the Downs defence. It was Wade who provided Ingle Farm’s third goal with a perfectly weighted ball into the box that found the head of a diving Paul Jones (his tenth of the season.)
As the game neared its completion Ingle Farm were holding their shape well and seemed to be cruising to an amazing victory. With only a minute left on the referee’s watch Elizabeth Downs scrambled a second with a ball played through to Tony Reeves who completed his brace.
3-2 the game finished with Ingle Farm taking the Rite Price Cup off Elizabeth Downs and in the process creating history as the first time they have beaten the Downs with coach Paul Simpson in charge. The win now sees Ingle Farm go a point ahead of Elizabeth Downs and move into second spot with another important game next week away to Elizabeth Vale.
Final Score: Ingle Farm 3 Elizabeth Downs 2.
By Paul Jones
ROUND 11
ELIZABETH VALE vs INGLE FARM MOFFLIN ROAD
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2009
It was Elizabeth Vale that played host to Ingle Farm. A win at Mofflin Road and results going their way would see Ingle Farm go top of the division with seven games to go. Elizabeth Vale left player/coach Michael Brooks on the sideline for the clash and Ingle Farm were without an injured Torsten Rutter.
The Farm started brightly in the first half with their first corner of the game resulting in a sixth goal of the year for Chris Ennis. Ricky Simpson crossed a perfect ball into the box where the big central defender rose above the Vale defence nodding the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 to Farm.
Wade Dingle and Paul Jones were causing a lot of headaches for the Vale defence that seemed to struggle to contain their pace. On numerous occasions the pair got in behind the defence only failing to find the back of the net.
Elizabeth Vale seemed to respond to the early goal and they begun to place a lot of pressure on the Farm defence. They interchanged the ball well through the midfield and created some good chances. A well-crossed corner was met by a tall Vale midfielder who nodded the ball towards the goal only to have it cleared off the line. Moments later a well-struck free-kick was hit low and hard towards goal, where Rob Greenwood got down well to keep the shot out. As Chris Ennis went to clear the ball a Vale player was extremely quick to pounce and managed to force the ball into the net.
The game then swung, as the Farm begun to get back on top. Evan Emmanuel was crunched in a brutal challenge leaving him winded, as he came into the game out on the right hand side of midfield. Dave Eggers also begun to stamp his authority on the game in the middle of the park. He found himself in the right place on several occasions unlucky not to score. He had a volley that was nodded down by Chris Ennis go just wide, a header from another great Ricky Simpson corner hit the cross bar and a side foot shot crossing into the box go agonisingly close. Elizabeth Vale were probably lucky to go into half time with scores level at one a piece.
Ingle Farm’s instructions at half time were to play a more direct style of game trying to use its pace up front to catch out the slower Vale defence. Lee Cockerill and Michael Clarke were again solid at the back and Simpson and Emmanuel were providing the Farm with some width. Dave Ennis was again working hard in the middle of the park with Barry Fitzharris and Dave Eggers.
Eggers and Emmanuel both had half chances with some good quick movement in and around the box. Only to have their shots go high and wide. As the game went on the space begun to open up and an even more direct approach was implemented by Ingle Farm. Elizabeth Vale were also playing a counter attacking style of play and on a couple of occasions the heroics of Rob Greenwood were called upon. The first one seeing Greenwood come out of his box doing enough to see the ball out and the second was a courageous one on one save sliding out and taking the ball off the advancing striker.
As the game drew to a close it had reached a stalemate and both teams had to be content with taking a point from the game. 1-1 it finished in a typically hard fought contest. Ingle Farm managed to stay in second place going ahead of Florina on goal difference, but are now one point off Elizabeth Downs who regained top spot.
Final Score: Elizabeth Vale 1 Ingle Farm 1
By Paul Jones
ROUND 12 INGLE FARM vs SALISBURY INTER MOFFLIN ROAD
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009
Salisbury Inter came into the game at Walkley Park with high expectations after recently knocking off, top of the table side Salisbury Florina. Inter had recently signed four ex-Para Hills Knights players and had excellent form going into the game. Ingle Farm had come off an average performance in the cup last week where they progressed to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win.
Ingle Farm welcomed the return of Torsten Rutter up front, but were without an injured Barry Fitzharris in the middle of the park.
The first half saw Ingle Farm have the better of the chances, but no-one really tested the keeper in what was a rather scrappy contest. The pitch conditions made playing the ball along the ground difficult and players from both teams found it hard to keep their feet.
Torsten Rutter and Wade Dingle were putting the Inter defence under pressure and Rutter made some telling runs that nearly resulted in a goal on a couple of occasions. Ricky Simpson was hard at it in the midfield with one of his tackles leaving an Inter player bleeding from the head. Dave Ennis was putting himself around challenging for everything and Anthony Ragazzo made some excellent runs down the right and with a better ball into the box could have seen Inter in trouble. Evan Emmanuel, playing on the left hand side of midfield, was carving up with some sublime dribbling and demonstrating a wonderful first touch. Emmanuel even created a couple of half chances at goal. The talented midfielder on two occasions cut in from the left hitting his shots well but straight at the Inter keeper.
At half time both teams had minimal clear-cut chances and the score was 0-0.
The second half begun to open up a bit more, as the midfield begun to tire. Chris Ennis was his cool, calm and collective self at the back patrolling the Farm defence while Staltari and Clark held their men relatively well as both teams went in search of a winner.
Ingle Farm made two changes fifteen minutes into the second half with Paul Jones coming on for Wade Dingle and Anthony Martini replacing Evan Emmanuel.
It was midway through the second half when the away side broke the deadlock. The Inter striker turned his man well inside the box and lobbed the ball over a helpless Greenwood in goals. After the goal the game nearly reached boiling point as Salisbury Inter’s players begun time-wasting and some ‘rude’ tackles were being put in.
It was somewhat amazing that Inter finished the game with all eleven players on the park, as their misdemeanours seemed to be overlooked. Surprisingly Anthony Staltari was given his marching orders with only around ten minutes to go for retaliating to an incident involving team-mate Anthony Ragazzo. Moments after this Lee Cockerill was brought on for Ragazzo and he was pushed up front as Farm went in search of an equaliser. Ricky Simpson was then yellow carded for a late trip on the Inter left wingback.
As the game went into time added on, Dave Eggers received the ball out on the right hand side (some 25 yards from goal) and with a beautiful cross into the box he found a diving Dave Ennis who nodded the ball past the Salisbury Inter goalkeeper.
In the dieing moments of the game, and the Inter defence at sixes and sevens, Farm made one final push. A wonderful cross was met by Torsten Rutter only to see his header smash into the crossbar and go out for a goal kick.
1-1 it finished, as Ingle Farm have now failed to capitalise on going top for two weeks in a row. Salisbury Florina moved back to the top of the ladder while Farm sit second on the ladder two points adrift. Ingle Farm are equal on points with Para Hills West and Elizabeth Downs, but holding to that second spot with a superior goal difference.
Final Score: Ingle Farm 1 Salisbury Inter 1
By Paul Jones
ROUND 13 PONTIAN EAGLES vs INGLE FARM FERRYDEN PARK
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2009
Ingle Farm travelled to Ferryden Park for what should have been a formality against the second to bottom side. Farm welcomed the return of Barry Fitzharris in the midfield and Matthew Cocks debuted for the farm upfront for an absent Paul Jones. Anthony Staltari was also sidelined serving a one-match ban for his red card in last weeks match against Salisbury Inter.
Pontian Eagles looked as though they had come to play from the get go. They seemed more tenacious for the ball and although Ingle Farm were playing the better football, Pontians closed the ball down quickly and didn’t mind taking the ball and man if they got in the way.
Wade Dingle’s pace out on the right hand side of midfield was causing Pontians all sorts of headaches as he managed to provide Dave Eggers with the first goal of the match. His well executed cross, floated into the box where Eggers outjumped the Pontian’s defender to expertly head the ball into the net.
Pontians continued to be very committed to wining the ball and their pressure eventually paid dividends with Ingle Farm turning the ball over in the middle of the park. On a fast break the ball was played into their striker who sprung the offside trap curling the ball around a helpless Rob Greenwood in goals.
1-1 was the score and this is how it remained until half time.
The second half saw Rob Greenwood pull off two great saves. There was a one on one, which resulted in Greenwood coming out quickly and snuffing out the advancing striker, and there was a well-taken free kick that Greenwood dived well to his right and held.
As the second half progressed it was amazing that the Pontians finished the game with eleven players on the park, after their striker was involved in a couple of scuffles retaliating to minor incidents. A midfielder also took a wild swing at defender Lee Cockerill only to have his punched ducked. Somehow this player also remained on the pitch.
Pontians turned the game on its head midway through the second half when a near identical goal caught Ingle Farm out. The ball was turned over in the middle of the park and with the defence out of position a quick ball was played through to their striker. Timing his run to perfection he beat the offside trap and dribbled the ball in on goals with Greenwood committed he cut the ball back to the Pontians midfielder who took two touches before tapping the ball into the net.
Although Anthony Ragazzo came on out on the right for Dave Ennis and Evan Emmanuel came on out on the left for Dave Eggers, Ingle Farm couldn’t find an equaliser. Anthony Martini came on for Matthew Cocks late in the game, but although one good half volley chance fell to Emmanuel, Ingle Farm couldn’t find the back of the net.
The loss sees Ingle Farm fall five points adrift now and they face a difficult USC Lion who are scrapping to remain in the Sunday Premier A division. Best Players: R.Greenwood, R.Simpson, W.Dingle and L.Cockerill.
Final Score: Pontian Eagles 2 Ingle Farm 1
By Paul Jones
ROUND 14
INGLE FARM vs USC LION WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009
USC Lion travelled to Walkey’s Park for what most envisioned
to be a one-sided affair. The last time these two sides met Ingle Farm put five
past USC Lion and won the match 5-0. Since then however Lion had picked up a few
new players and had last week taken league leaders Salisbury Florina all the
way to only go down to a late goal 3-2. On the other hand Ingle Farm were
coming off the back of a poor game against Pontian Eagles where they lost 2-1.
Paul Jones was back up front for the farm for an absent
Torsten Rutter, and Matthew Cocks played his second game in a green and white
shirt. Anthony Staltari was back from suspension and started the game in the
midfield, whilst Dave Ennis started on the bench resting a slight knee strain.
Anthony Ragazzo was missing from the right hand side of midfield so Ricky
Simpson filled the void.
Ingle Farm won the toss and kicked up hill and against a
strong breeze in the first half. Despite this, Ingle Farm started the brighter
of the sides. Ricky Simpson was getting a lot of the ball early out wide on the
right and a couple of his balls into the box caused concern for the Lion
defence. Paul Jones had a good opportunity to open the scoring some ten minutes
into the game, when a ball dropped to him around the penalty spot. Volleying
the ball first time on the turn his shot came back of the crossbar with the
keeper well beaten.
For the remainder of the first half USC Lion begun
controlling the game. Their midfield begun to get on top and some good passing
and quick closing down saw the Farm turn the ball over on many occasions. Lion
tried their luck from range on a couple of occasions causing Rob Greenwood
little trouble in the Farm goals.
It was Lions constant pressure that finally produced the
first goal of the game. A Lion corner was whipped into the near post with the
strong wind and awkward height the ball somehow found its way into the net
squizzing between
Greenwood
and the near post. Evan Emmanuel came off early in the first half to be
replaced by Jarrod Rich with his reoccurring shin splints still causing him
trouble.
As Lion continued to press coach Paul Simpson made some
tactical changes putting Jarrod Rich up front and dropping Paul Jones into the
midfield. He also moved Michael Clark out onto the left and Anthony Staltari
back to centre-back along side Lee Cockerill and Chris Ennis.
Half time Ingle Farm went in 1-0 down.
The start of the second half started more brightly for the
Farm who early on managed to snatch an equaliser. A well timed run by Jarrod
Rich broke the offside trap, he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into an
empty net.
But no sooner that Ingle Farm got themselves back in the
game they were making hard work for themselves again. The second goal for Lion
saw a bustling run from their midfielder push his way through the Farm defence
with several farm players failing to dispossess the Lion player. He continued
his run into the box slotting the ball into the net.
Dave Ennis came on in the midfield and Wade Dingle came on
up front midway through the second half as Farm went in search of an equaliser.
But it was Lion who went further in front when again Farm failed to clear a
shot that was well saved from
Greenwood.
Farm were slowest to react to the clearance which was slotted away with
relative ease as
Greenwood
was still on the ground from his initial good save.
Lion begun slowing the game down and Farm pressed to try and
get something from the game. Jones and C.Ennis moved up front with Dingle and
Rich, but even after numerous corners they failed to get a clear shot on goal.
It was Lee Cockerill who managed to get one with only minutes remaining as USC
Lion failed to clear a Farm corner.
3-2 the game finished, as Ingle Farm are now eight points
behind league leaders Salisbury Florina their chances of winning the league
have all but evaporated. A good win however for Lion who won only their second
game of the year.
Final Score: Ingle Farm 2 USC Lion 3
By Paul Jones
ROUND 15 PARA HILLS WEST vs INGLE FARM MANOR FARM OVAL
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2009
Ingle Farm travelled to Para Hills West for what was earlier
in the year shaping up to be a crucial game on the calendar. But in recent
weeks both teams have fallen off the pace somewhat as Salisbury Florina have
opened up a commanding lead in the fight for league champions.
Matthew Cocks started up front with Paul Jones and Ingle
Farm reshuffled some players in different positions for the match. Ricky
Simpson started out wide on the left and Dave Ennis started out wide on the
right. Dave Eggers and Barry Fitzharris patrolled the middle of the park while
for the first time this season Lee Cockerill, Michael Clark, Anthony Staltari
and Chris Ennis all started at the back.
The first half saw a reasonably even contest play out with a
couple of half chances falling to Matthew Cocks as Jones, the midfield and him
linked up well catching West square on a couple of occasions. Anthony Staltari
tested the keeper with a thunderbolt from outside the box midway through the
first half and Ricky Simpson nearly followed up a shot but was to be judged
slightly offside. Ingle Farm’s backline looked solid as they took care of most
attacks. Rob Greenwood was vocal in goals and made the six-yard box his own on
a couple of occasions coming out strongly.
0-0was
the score going into the half time break.
The second half saw the game begin to open up. Ricky Simpson
and Dave Ennis were getting a lot of the ball out wide for Ingle Farm and
making some excellent runs. Ricky Simpson played a brilliant first time ball
into the box with Paul Jones going agonisingly close to getting on the end of
it. But it was some great build up play involving Eggers, Dave Ennis and Jones
that broke the deadlock Ennis played a good ball down the line for Jones in
which he cut into the box drew the defender and keeper and slotted it back into
the path of Ennis who had continued his run. Dave Ennis calmly disposed of the
ball into the back of the net.
As West went in search of an equaliser their defence became
even more exposed. Cox played Jones in where he found himself one on one with
the keeper but with the keeper advancing he failed to put the ball past him as
his shot was well saved.
Evan Emmanuel came on in the middle of the park for Eggers
and West pressed more men forward. West found themselves with some free kicks
in good positions but they failed to capitalise. Farm’s defence were rock
solid. As Farm were winding down the clock it was Jones who broke down the
right hand side again cutting into the box. He hit a low hard cross across the
box looking for Cox, only to find a desperate West defender who smashed the
ball into his own net. That was to be the final kick of the game.
2-0 the game finished, with excellent contributions from all
players across the park for the Farm. The win sees Farm move back into second
spot amazingly (after a couple of poor results) ahead of the Downs on goal
difference. Farm are six points behind Florina with three games remaining, and
with the Farm playing Florina at home this week there might just be a final
twist to the outcome of the season yet.
Final Score: Para Hills West 0 Ingle Farm 2
By Paul Jones
ROUND 16 INGLE FARM vs SALISBURY FLORINA WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009
In blustery conditions Ingle Farm hosted Salisbury Florina
in yet another top of the table clash. Ingle Farm had somehow put themselves
back in with a faint hope of claiming there first ever division 1 league
trophy, but were up against the most consistent side of the year in Florina.
Farm were six points a drift going into the game, but a win would see them move
within three points of the league leaders with two games to go.
Farm knew from the first encounter against Florina at their
ground that they would come hard early and fade late, as Ingle Farm’s fitness
would hopefully prevail. However within a minute of the kick off, Florina found
themselves one up with two or three Farm tackles missing the target and
allowing a shot off on goal. Rob Greenwood in goals managed to block the first
shot only to have a Florina player poke the ball home.
Florina full of confidence and with a strong breeze at their
backs continued to push forward. After constant pressure on the Farm defence it
was Aaron Westervelt, the leagues top scorer, who got on the end of a good
through ball. He outpaced the Farm defence and smashed the ball into the net.
Greenwood again made a great attempt in goals getting a good piece of the ball
only to see it ricochet off him into the top right hand corner of the net.
After Florina’s second goal Farm began to come into the
game. Ricky Simpson was getting a bit of the ball out on the left and Dave
Ennis was coming into the game on the right. Barry Fitzharris and Dave Eggers
were also beginning to get on top in the midfield. It was a Ricky Simpson free
kick, which found the head of captain Chris Ennis that got Farm back in the
game. Chris has added another dimension to his game this year scoring a bag
full of goals from set pieces. After the goal Farm continued to look good and
held the majority of the possession and created some good chances. Ricky
Simpson was again involved in a good through ball that saw Paul Jones control
the ball in the box with his back to goal, he delightfully back-heeled the ball
into the path of Matthew Cox who had timed his run to perfection. Taking one
too many touches the Florina defence closed down his space and his shot was
well cleared. From the resulting clearance Florina cleared the ball long after
Farm losing possession in the middle of the park Florina’s direct style of play
saw them go 3-1 up with an excellent strike from the edge of the 18-yard box.
This is the way the score stayed until half time. Farm had a lot to do, but
with the wind behind them in the second half anything was possible.
Coach Paul Simpson made two changes at half time for the
Farm, bringing on Torsten Rutter and Evan Emmanuel for Anthony Staltari and
David Eggers. The tactical change seemed to have an immediate impact as Rutter
got plenty of the ball down the right hand side. Within ten minutes of the
re-start Matthew Cox got his first goal in the green and white. It was
another fantastic Ricky Simpson corner that saw Cox out jump the Florina
defence and nod home Farm’s second.
With over thirty minutes left of play Farm had a bit of
belief. Ingle Farm were dominating possession and it seemed that their fitness
was again going to prevail.
Final Score: Ingle Farm 2 Salisbury Florina 3
By Paul Jones
ROUND 17 FULHAM UTD vs INGLE FARM COLLINS RESERVE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009
Slippery conditions saw a rejuvenated Fulham host Ingle Farm
today. Fulham had turned their season around after a slow start to now be ahead
of Ingle Farm in third place. With only two games to go and only one team capable
of catching Salisbury Florina (being second placed Elizabeth Downs) this game
was simply for pride.
Three Farm players missed the game through suspension. Barry
Fitzharris was serving his red card from last week against Florina and Dave
Ennis and Lee Cockerill were also sidelined through receiving four yellow
cards. A new look formation and team took the park against Fulham, which didn’t
start that well for the Farm.
Fulham opened the scoring some ten minutes into the game
when the ball fell to their striker in the box. He calmly slotted the ball
across the goal past a diving Rob Greenwood. For the remainder of the half
Ingle Farm pressed and looked the better of the two sides. Matthew Cocks and
Torsten Rutter were linking up well and Paul Jones came into the game finding a
nice bit of space in behind the front two having a couple of shots either go
just wide or deflect off defenders.
Evan Emmanuel and Ricky Simpson were solid in the middle of
the park and Anthony Martini was lively on the left hand side of midfield.
Anthony Ragazzo was effective down the right. Anthony Staltari, Michael Clark
and Chris Ennis were back to their solid best ensuring Fulham didn’t extend
their lead.
Matthew Cocks had a golden opportunity to score from a Farm
corner when Rutter flicked the ball onto the back post only to see the
goalmouth scramble go just wide.
The first half then stood still as a clash involving
Greenwood (the Farm keeper) and a Fulham midfielder required Greenwood to be
stretched off with a suspected fractured foot. Greenwood took no further part
in the game and substitute keeper Michael Francken was called upon. The clash
occurred when a long ball was played wide of the 18-yard box resulting in both
keeper and Fulham midfielder to chase down the ball, as Greenwood went to clear
the ball he collected the Fulham player, when the midfielder just got to the
ball first toe-poking it forward.
Fulham took their slender 1-0 lead into half time
The second half saw Ingle Farm take complete control of the
game. It was Anthony Martini on the left who scored the equaliser early in the
second half when a Paul Jones chest and volley was well saved by the Fulham
goalkeeper. Martini followed up the keeper’s parry firing his shot into the
roof of the net.
The second half saw Matthew Cox have a couple of shots
well saved. Jones fired another couple just wide and Chris Ennis had an
excellent header from a corner well saved, as the Fulham Goalkeeper kept the
home team in the game.
It was an Anthony Ragazzo corner that broke the deadlock
when his pinpoint corner found a well-positioned Ricky Simpson. Simpson made no
mistake from six yards heading the ball into the left hand corner of the net
putting Ingle Farm up mid way through the second half.
Jarrad Rich came on for Anthony Martini on the left shortly
after and he made an immediate impact with his long throws causing havoc for
the Fulham defence.
More chances fell for Farm as the game reached full-time.
Anthony Ragazzo had a cracking shot from outside of the box require another
smart save from the Fulham keeper and a couple more long range efforts from
Ricky Simpson and Chris Ennis weren’t far off.
2-1 it finished and Ingle Farm were deserved winners in a
game that they controlled for the majority of the time. Some promising signs as
they prepare for their semi-final cup match in two weeks against BOSA at Grange
Headquarters. The win also sees Ingle Farm move back up to third on the ladder
with a chance of grabbing second with a win next week in the final game of the league
away against Parafield Gardens.
Final Score: Fulham 1 Ingle Farm 2
By Paul Jones
ROUND 18 PARAFIELD GARDENS vs INGLE FARM BRADMAN OVAL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009
In the last game of the season Gardens hosted Ingle Farm in
what was a bit of a dead rubber. Parafield Gardens were safe of relegation and
Ingle Farm sat in third place. There was a possibility of finishing above
Elizabeth Downs in second if they won and Downs lost to Florina. Salisbury
Florina had wrapped up the league last week with a 4-0 win against Gardens so
Downs couldn’t catch them no matter what their result.
Ingle Farm rested a couple of players for the crucial
semi-final of the cup next week against BOSA. The changes saw vice captain Paul
Jones wear the Captains armband for the first time in Ingle Farm colours.
Ingle Farm had the breeze at their backs for the first half
and had the better of the chances. Matthew Cox had a shot go agonisingly close,
Paul Jones had a header that the keeper caught with relative ease and Dave
Eggers made a sublime run through the middle of the park curling a left foot
shot around the helpless Gardens keeper only to see it come back off the
upright.
Evan Emmanuel relaced Chris Ennis as sweeper and Lee
Cockerill and Anthony Staltari man marked. Michael Clark was dominating down
the left hand side of the park and Anthony Ragazzo was doing likewise on the
right. Fitzharris was his strong and consistent self in the heart of the
midfield and a bustling run from Barry saw him draw a free kick from just
outside of the box. The challenge did leave him with an egg on his face and a
request for the offending player to be sent off.
Torsten Rutter was providing Ingle Farm a good target up
front and along with Matthew Cocks they terrorised the Gardens defence. It
wasn’t until the 35th minute that Ingle Farm finally broke the
deadlock. Emmanuel played a telling ball into the feet of Jones and as he
controlled the ball and went to turn his feet were taken from behind inside the
box. The referee had no option but to reward them with a penalty. Matthew Cox
was the player who stepped up and calmly slotted the ball away sending the
keeper the wrong direction. Ingle Farm’s dominance had finally been rewarded.
1-0it
remained until half time.
The second half continued much the same to the first. Ingle
Farm created a number of chances and although Gardens had the wind behind them
they really didn’t have much, other than a long ball out of defence.
Lee Cockerill was playing some excellent pinpoint balls out
of defence and Farm were moving and supporting each other all over the park.
Rob Greenwood in his last league game appearance was his usual solid self at
the back and ensured every Gardens attack was snuffed out.
Midway through the half Rutter and Cox combined down the
right after sucking the defenders in they cut the ball back to Jones in the box
who with a good first touch wrong footed the Gardens defender and slotted the
ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. 2-0 to the Farm.
Final Score: Parafield Gardens 1 Ingle Farm 3
By Paul Jones
