We welcomed the North Lakes Mustangs to our home pitch keen for the win to seal our finals spot. We were down on numbers with the flu and other commitments only allowing a straight eleven for the game. A little bit lonely on the bench with no one to keep the coach company. We started strongly and it didn’t take long for our first goal. At the 5’mark, Amber picked up the ball in our half, played the ball to Isaak who put the ball through to Blair in behind their backline. Very familiar play here and with last week’s crossbar shot still fresh in his mind, Blair decided to keep the ball on the ground, nutmegged the keeper and opened the scoring. He was stoked to pick up his 3rd goal of the season. We kept the pressure on for the next little while but then dropped off in intensity. North Lakes took advantage of this and one of their midfielders picked up the ball well in his own half, ran down the right wing leaving players in his wake. Despite the efforts of JB and Seth, he smashed the ball past Jonas on his near post to even up the score. At the 20’mark, Isaak delivered a corner and Jayden pounced on the loose ball and was denied a goal by a good save from their keeper. The score stayed 1 all at the half time break.
With the coach asking for more effort and desire to win the ball, we took to the field for the second half. Unfortunately, North Lakes were able to pick up their second goal not long after half time to go 2-1 up. This seemed to bring the inner dragon out in the team and they started to ratchet up the intensity. Their efforts were rewarded when Amber combined with Isaak at the 47’mark. Isaak found space at the edge of the 18 yard box and unleashed a shot that crashed into the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net. It was an absolute screamer with even the opposition coach giving it the thumbs up. This was Isaaks 14th goal of the season and clearly our golden boot winner for the team. With the score back to 2 all, Blackstone kept the pressure on. Following a right side raid by Blair, he cut back and crossed the ball in from his left foot. Its great to see the coach’s drills and nagging starting to bear fruit with everyone coming along in using both feet. Blair’s cross found Amber unmarked and with a one touch shot, Amber slotted home the ball just inside the far post. This was Ambers first goal of the season since joining Blackstone and she enjoys the opportunity to play in the centre attacking mid role. The team were stoked to be back in the lead 3-2 with only eight minutes left to play. They held firm to close out the match and cement their place in the top four, guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals.
With only one more match for the season against Silkstone Baptist, the pressure is off. It is a rematch of the local derby and one we want to win.
Full time result Blackstone 3 defeated North Lakes Mustangs 2.
