Things happening in Perth this Sunday: stay in bed and wonder if it really did rain last night (boring!), cycle the wrong way up the freeway and then drive home (really?), or, watch some NPL soccer (horray!). There’s no dilemma! This week the Under 13’s Inglewood United Soccer Club was on the road to Bayswater (eh?).
For those who didn’t realise Bayswater and Inglewood are a big goalie kick from each other! You can hear the ref’s whistle from each other’s grounds (more about that later!). These guys probably know each other, maybe attended the same schools, or played soccer together. With the recent establishment of the NPL, these two teams are made up guys that could have easily been on the other side! But that’s good, it’s a formula for a great game of soccer! There’s nothing like a bit of familiarity to stir up the competitive spirit. I overheard some mumblings in the grandstand that this familiarity gave each side something to prove!
The game was to take place on a smaller than full size pitch which at other times may also be used for testing the aerodynamics of planes or kite flying! Whoever wins the toss will certainly take the advantage of kicking down wind, the firm breeze putting wings on the ball, although some skill is needed to control where it goes. Bayswater won the toss and took the advantage!
Inglewood coaching has recently focussed on individual positions and team structure; give your team mate the opportunity he needs when he is looking to pass the ball. And right from the start the IUSC boys were sticking to their positions and structure. Unfortunately, so were the Bayswater guys, resulting in a series of whistles, mostly against us, for some tough play! Quite correctly, the ref wasn’t having any of it. It seemed like there were more whistles than normal, and each time the advantage was handed to the opposition.
And we could see why. Early on the two teams were playing a similar game, and were at a similar skill level. It was like watching an arm wrestle between a pair of twins! The forwards and defenders on each side, doing an equally good job! Just as an advantage was taken the defending team moved into action and countered the attack. This arm wrestle was going to tire them out. How are we going to get a result?
Each team took turns to control the game. A shot from Inglewood just going past the corner of the goal, well away from their goalkeeper, was the first near miss, and gave the Inglewood players the nudge they needed. With the ball in the Bayswater half and the recent near miss the Inglewood boys were slightly ahead. Their consistent formation was keeping the opposition under pressure, just enough to avoid the counter attack. After a throw-in, in line with goalies box, Inglewood crossed the ball in front of the goal keeper, into a pack of both team’s players, Connor B (20) was there and tapped the ball into the net: 1 – nil to Inglewood!
Bayswater restarted the game, and took the ball forward. Inglewood put the pressure on, defending well, but another tough piece of play resulted in a free kick to Bayswater who manage to get around the yellow defence and equal the score.
Inglewood keen to get ahead again, put the pressure on in a series of moves up the wing, crossing to centre, to be cleared by the oppositions defence. The arm wrestle continued, interrupted by the regular whistle for a free kick, and even a yellow card! Some great work by both sides, attempting to get ahead. But 1 – 1 at half time.
The Coach’s half time talk, review of the strategy, some refreshment and now with the wind behind them, Inglewood had a great chance to nudge ahead for the second half. But the arm wrestle continued; each team made forward progress, but was counteracted by the other. However, the Inglewood players were slightly ahead, acting slightly more efficiently as a team, they passed the ball around the opposition slightly more effectively and made the most of their work.
Only a few minutes into the second half, Sam (3) threw the ball in, it was intercepted by Bayswater who took it down the line, but in a familiar manoeuvre it was intercepted again, by Davor (5). He seizes the moment, and crosses to the middle of the field. The Bayswater defence doesn’t have time to respond, so their goalie bravely comes out, but Patrick (12) moves the ball around their single defender, momentarily corrects the trajectory and taps it in. Inglewood is up a goal! Great team work.
With a goal in hand, the IUSC keep the pressure on the opposition, they tidy up their game and the whistle isn’t needed so much.
A free kick is taken, Moni (8) takes it down the wing, supported by Connor B (20), expertly gaining entry to the goalies area. The pressure is on again. There’s a few kicks, a couple more, why isn’t it going in? And a defenders boot makes contact with the ball, and it’s cleared!
More shots taken, the goalies hands collecting or pushing the ball away. The teams are working well, and the arm wrestle continues. Corners: cleared! Pass down the wing: cleared! Free kick: cleared! Then, just when we are getting used to the thrill of the attack and counter attack, the final whistle sounds. Phew! The heart rate goes back to normal! Inglewood win 2 – 1!
