League

Grange
Spectators: 6846 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1846, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Russell Christian took the kick off in the first half of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rudolph Sibbold in the 4th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Burns Price saved Desarcas from getting behind. Rudolph Sibbold recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 6th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some careless play in the Desarcas defense, Elliott Sibbold kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Burns Price. The Desarcas fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Burns Price should have stopped the shot. If Brendan Swan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rudolph Sibbold received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Burns Price tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 21 minutes into the game, Melbourne 2023's Elliott Sibbold nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Burns Price made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. Carson Feutrill made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Russell Christian in the 24th minute of play. When the match clock showed 27 minutes, the score became 0-3 when Rudolph Sibbold sped through Desarcas's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Burns Price. Carson Feutrill made an important save on a dangerous shot by Brendan Swan in the 33rd minute. Carson Feutrill showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Anthony Samuels in the 46th minute of the match. Disappointed in the 0-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Rudolph Sibbold made a kick off. After having played for 56 minutes, Rudolph Sibbold managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Melbourne 2023's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rudolph Sibbold was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 57th minute, Anthony Samuels hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 64 minutes into the match, Russell Christian notched a goal, 1-4, to the right of Melbourne 2023's Carson Feutrill. Carson Feutrill was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Burns Price was out of position in the 68 minute of play, and Elliott Sibbold capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Elliott Sibbold really showed his touch with that goal: 1-5. After 76 minutes, Brendan Swan made it 2-5 with a short kick to the right side. Melbourne 2023's Carson Feutrill tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. If Rudolph Sibbold had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 79th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Melbourne 2023's Roy Lowes got a free kick in the 84th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Brendan Swan in the 86th minute of play forced Melbourne 2023's goalkeeper Carson Feutrill to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Elliott Sibbold had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Russell Christian received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Carson Feutrill tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Melbourne 2023 had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.