Link to all West Beach v Southern Knights photographs.
West Beach were looking to firm their grip on one of the two promotion places in Sunday Division 2.
They hosted fellow beach dwellers Southern Knights who were somewhat undermanned and still hurting from the Quarter Finals exit the previous Sunday.
Knights were minus goalkeeper Mark Kay (employment), Matty Harrison (family) and Steve MacGuire (suspension). David Mooney returned from injury for the Knights.
With the wind and sun at their backs West Beach started well and looked very organised whereas Knights were taking a while to becoming accustomed to positional shuffles.
Forwards Matt Daughtry and Scott Bradley looked to be adjusting quite well to their defensive roles.
Beach broke through from a corner that Knights struggled to clear despite several opportunities.
Later in the half Knights missed an easy goalscoring opportunity and Tony Micallef had a chip past the keeper cleared off the line.
West Beach opened the second half with a flurry of attacks and were well on top of Knights culminating in a early second half goal stretching their lead to 2-0.
A third goal for Beach came at about the 60th minute and it seemed a big win (or loss depending on your team of choice) was on the cards.
Knights began to pick up and were able to pull a goal back with about 15 minutes to go. Beach had several close calls putting shots over the crossbar from close range.
Somewhat against the run of play Knights drew closer with a second goal.
West Beach were able to finish the day on top 3-2 and close the gap on league leaders Adelaide Vikings.
In the opening stages Beach seemed to be quicker to the ball and pushed Knights onto the back foot.
Matt Daughtry and Scott Bradley applied themselves well to their defensive roles.
True to current form Tony Micallef was a concern for and watched very closely by West Beach.
Sandy Neary looked in good touch but found the tight Beach defense difficult to penetrate.
The incoming corner falls loose.
Knights find themselves trailing early 1-0 dow.
West Beach celebrate as Knights raise questions!
With the keeper off his line Tony Micallef chips goalward with a defender in pursuit who eventually clears off the line.
Tony Micallef clutches his face after being struck chasing down a goal opportunity.
Some early second half pressure from Knights.
another corner to Knights and Beach soak up more pressure.
The series of corners continues but fails to make an impact.
The ball moved from end to end for long periods of time.
Beach race forward to receive a well timed pass.
Beach's number 9 celebrates a well taken goal.
Beach clear their lines.
Knights substitute hard working Steve Hawkins and Beach bring on Johnny Manca (no it's not rhyming slang !).
Despite the outstretched keeper and defenders on the line, Knights squeeze the ball home to make it 3-1.
Johnny Manca was very busy and covered a lot of ground.
Knights edge closer to West Beach with a second goal to make it 3-2.
The referee, not long out from the UK, controlled the game well throughout.
West Beach ( 5 ) Southern Knights ( 1)
West Beach blitzed Southern Knights (including myself in between the posts) in the opening half of their Reserve team encounter.
Dan McCombie was at the centre of many of Beach’s attacking moves and deftly slotted home their first goal
( Dave McCombie – Dan’s father, was a team mate of mine ~31 years [and probably 31 less kilograms] ago in 1978 and also coach in 1980 at Elizabeth Downs.).
Beaches second goal came from an “assist” from Dan again when pushed the ball across the face of the goal for team mate “Grouse” to tuck away.
Their 3rd. goal came from a forceful header from their central defender at a corner. A fourth goal resulted when Beach ran through the shell-shocked Knights defence.
Knights were able to pull a goal back through Paul Thompson and went to the break 4-1 down.
West opened the half more alert and soon posted their 4th. when a 25 metre drive caught Knights keeper (me) flat footed.
The introduction of Justin Moule, Luke Gustini and Sean “Scotch” McNeill for Knights gave the visitors a bit more spark but the score remained as a 5-1 win for West Beach.
Richard Finlayson gathers the ball as Knights fall back in numbers.
Andre Rickers clears an incoming cross.
Some classic expressions from keeper Nick Swann (how did I get off the ground ?) and Dan McCombie.
I think this is just seconds befor Beach notched their 3rd. goal with a forceful header from the corner kick.
Dan McCombie runs at the Knights defence.
West Beaches keeper takes a heavy knock but plays on.
Love the hand on face expression Dan !
Paul Uzzel had a running battle with his West Beach conterpart.
Knights did bring out some great saves from West Beach's keeper.
Sean "Scotch" McNeill enjoyed his introduction into the game.
Just like to thank Colin Macpherson for taking over my photographic duties whilst I was preoccupied letting in goals
Some of Colins other shots on the day ....interesting
As I mentioned, I played alongside Dan McCombie's father Dave way back in 1978...a great person who still looks pretty much the same these days.
Previous pictorial reports.
Round 15 - West Beach ( 3 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 14 - Southern Knights ( 0 ) ISC Raptors( 2 )
Round 13 - Munno Para ( 0 ) Southern Knights ( 4 )
Round 12 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) San Marco ( 0 )
Round 11 - Southern Knights ( 1 ) Tea Tree Gully ( 1 )
Round 10 - Adelaide Vikings ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 9 - Modbury Vista ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 8 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Para Hills East ( 2 )
Round 7 - Elizabeth Grove ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 3 )
Round 6 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) West Beach ( 4 )
Round 5 - ISC Raptors ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 4 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Munno Para ( 5 )
Round 3 - San Marco ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 0 )
Round 2 - Tea Tree Gully ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Adelaide Vikings ( 2 )
Cup Quarter Finals - Ingle Farm ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 3 )
Cup Round 4 - Southern Knights ( 7 ) Sturt Marion ( 0 )
Cup Round 3 - Adelaide Wanderers ( 0 ) Elizabeth Downs ( 1 )
Cup Round 2 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) San Marco ( 1 )
Cup Round 1 -Southern Knights ( 7 ) Adelaide Monarchs ( 0 )
