League

Ermington Park
Spectators: 7399 (Terracing: 5800, Seating: 1500, VIP seats: 99) Sydney Rockets's Corey Leydin started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Arnie Howie showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Corbett Paynter, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. In the 5th minute Ermington FC were awarded a corner. Darryl Brotherton went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 5th minute, David Odd hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Angus Mcjunkins showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Neil Gorham in the 7th minute of the match. Sydney Rockets's Arnie Howie proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 11th minute of the match, managed to save Sydney Rockets from getting a goal against them. The audience thought a goal was coming when David Odd got free with Arnie Howie in the 13th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After a defensive mix-up in Sydney Rockets's zone, Corbett Paynter stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Arnie Howie came out of the goal and Corbett Paynter tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Corbett Paynter charged in rather forcefully in the 14th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Corbett Paynter the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Ermington FC getting a freekick after 14 minutes play. Corbett Paynter hit a great ball. David Odd received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 16th minute. Arnie Howie tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 17th minute the ball was on its way in behind Sydney Rockets's goalkeeper Arnie Howie, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Ermington FC's Angus Mcjunkins played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Neil Gorham in the 20th minute of play. Angus Mcjunkins came out of the goal in the 21st minute to try and stop a shot by Sydney Rockets's Carson Aroege. But to his dismay, Carson Aroege quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Sydney Rockets's Arnie Howie proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 24th minute of the match, managed to save Sydney Rockets from getting a goal against them. David Odd's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Arnie Howie read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 28th minute of play. Corbett Paynter received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Arnie Howie came out and tried to block the shot, but Corbett Paynter slotted it home off the left post making it 1-1 in the 31st minute. Ermington FC's Angus Mcjunkins played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Corey Leydin in the 34th minute of play. 36 minutes into the game, Carson Aroege was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sydney Rockets's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ermington FC the free kick. The referee gave Sydney Rockets a penalty, 40 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Murphey Barugh, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Ermington FC's Angus Mcjunkins. 1-2. Angus Mcjunkins showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Carson Aroege, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and David Odd made a kick off. Corbett Paynter took the ball and in the 54 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Arnie Howie. Arnie Howie dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-2. 62 minutes into the match, Sydney Rockets's goal looked a bit too open when David Odd came free, but Arnie Howie reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Angus Mcjunkins was out of position in the 65 minute of play, and Corey Leydin capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Corey Leydin really showed his touch with that goal: 2-4. Arnie Howie took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from David Odd, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Arnie Howie made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from David Odd in the 75th minute of play. Darryl Brotherton struck a weak shot in the 76th minute. Arnie Howie didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ermington FC. 78 minutes into the game, Ermington FC's Corbett Paynter nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Arnie Howie made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-4. 81 minutes into the game, David Odd cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-4. Arnie Howie was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. David Odd fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Arnie Howie having to interfere. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.