seniors: Game of two halves

Reporter: Joe Drago

Seniors 1 lost to Peninsula 3

The division one premiers peninsula were hosting the newcomers to the league, mount lilydale. The game began with peninsula pressing the mount lilydale defence and after 10 minutes their first goal came with a close range strike going under the body of diving keeper Johnny Covino.

Peninsula didn't stop there with the midfield and strikers running riot all over the mount lilydale outfit and when a deep solo run was finished with a low hard shot into the bottom corner the score was 2-0 before Mt Lilydale knew what had hit them. The half ended 2-0.

The second half was a very different Mt Lilydale with Bruno making a few position changes and it was a telling tale as Cic tore up the midfield with Sette and Victor in support. It was a Mt Lilydale onslaught in the opening 20 minutes with several opportunities going close, but it wasn't until a brilliant run by Cic into the area who then layed off a precision ball for Victor who was tackled from behind and won Mt Lilydale a penalty.Victor Inglese stepped up and finished nicely.

The game was now set up for a dramatic finish with mount lilydale attacking constanly and pressing peninsula into their own half. It wasn't until the 80th minute when sette released Johnny Pignataro into the box with a delicate cross only for Johnny to attempt the chip shop who beat the keeper flat footed only to be denied by the crossbar and from that play the Peninsula team counter attacked and scored the match winning goal to seal the points.

reserves: pay the penalty

Reporter: Joe Drago

Reserves 1 lost to Peninsula 4

The opening half was a mount lilydale onslaught with drago junior exposing the peninsula weakness down the left wing and putting the ball into the danger zone constantly for Ernie and Pikey to be denied early by the peninsula keeper! Drago Jnr then went close himself when he unleashed a left footed shot from outside the box only to just clear the cross bar! The half continued in a very similar fashion only for Mt Lilydale to spray chance after chance! the half ended 0-0.

The second half was a complete disaster with Joe "Pep" Ripepi conceeding a penalty early for a silly foul. The spot kick was converted and Peninsula led 1-0. the home team grew in confidence from the goal and were awarded another penalty soon after when Joe Ripepi handled the ball in the area. The decision was borderline with the referee quick to the whistle. Pep argued the decision until their was no point of return but to be sent from the field with a straight red card! The spot kick was again coverted and the home side was up 2-0.

The Mt Lilydale team then fell to pieces with the sweeper out of the game and a few sideline disciplinary issues it was getting quickly out of control as Peninsula added a third goal to rub salt into the Mt Lilydale wounds. To the boys credit they stuck at it and were rewarded when Luis Dimanno scored to make the score 3-1, bu it wasn't meant to be with Peninsula adding another goal to blow the scoreline out to 4-1 and put the three points in the bag!