League

Yalpunga Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Max Worsley started the match with the kick off. Yalpunga's Benedict Connell couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Palana. In the 9th minute, Yalpunga's Grant Mcmillan ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Darin Veitch. Darin Veitch yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. After a rather tough play, Palana's Fleming Shipp got a free kick in the 12th minute. In the 14th match minute, Palana was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fleming Shipp to maneuver through the defense. In the 15th minute, Grant Mcmillan got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 23 minutes into the match, Palana's goalkeeper Darin Veitch had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Buck Fordham. When Meyer Murphy fell near the penalty area in the 27th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Palana's protests and gave Meyer Murphy a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Palana getting a freekick after 27 minutes play. Meyer Murphy hit a great ball. Grant Mcmillan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The supporters of Yalpunga booed when Palana was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 31 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dallas Kayrooz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Paul Tresise showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Meyer Murphy, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. In the 37th minute the ball was on its way in behind Yalpunga's goalkeeper Paul Tresise, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 38 minutes into the match, Palana's goal looked a bit too open when Grant Mcmillan came free, but Darin Veitch reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Grant Mcmillan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Darin Veitch tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Dallas Kayrooz fell near the penalty area in the 42nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Palana's protests and gave Dallas Kayrooz a yellow card for diving instead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Grant Mcmillan was the one to do the kick off. 52 minutes into the game, Meyer Murphy recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Paul Tresise. Meyer Murphy showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. In the 56th minute, Grant Mcmillan got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 58th minute of the match Yalpunga got a corner. Palana's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Benedict Connell ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led Yalpunga's Benedict Connell to fire away a dangerous shot which Darin Veitch despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Meyer Murphy might have been able to make a better finish in the 69th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Paul Tresise. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Meyer Murphy ran back to his position shaking his head. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Grant Mcmillan in the 74th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Darin Veitch saved Palana from getting behind. Palana's Darin Veitch played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bryden Schutt in the 78th minute of play. Grant Mcmillan struck a weak shot in the 81st minute. Darin Veitch didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Yalpunga. In the 82nd match minute, Palana was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fleming Shipp to maneuver through the defense. Palana's Darin Veitch played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Grant Mcmillan in the 88th minute of play. Meyer Murphy's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paul Tresise read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 89th minute of play. If Buck Fordham had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.