Craig Lairds weekly write up 17-4-16

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Match of The Day
Elizabeth Downs 1 Brahma Lodge 3
BRAHMA Lodge made it two wins from two starts with a hard fought 3-1 win against Elizabeth Downs at Argana Park.
Both sides came into the game on the back of impressive 1st round wins but it was the visiting Brahma who struck on two minutes when a Freddy Aguis Free kick took a wicked deflection which left Downs’s keeper Ben Aldridge helpless as it rolled into the net.
The Downs settled and started to dominate possession with midfielder Scott Lindsay pulling the strings but on 17 minutes Lodge’s Chad Bugeja broke at speed before having his goal bound shot tipped against the post by Aldridge.
The Maroons best chance of the half fell to Matt Watson but his shot was saved down low by Lodge keeper Jimmy McKee.
A dynamic run and shot from Aleks Simic was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Aldridge as the visitors had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break.
The lead was doubled on 54 minutes when an Aguis corner was met superbly by Simic who fired his header home to the delight of a large travelling Brahma support.
On 82 minutes Brahma had a penalty claim denied and the home team went straight up the other end before substitute Shaun Clarke finished coolly to make it 2-1 and set up a tense finish.
The game was sealed on 87 minutes when the Downs failed to clear a corner and a Bugeja hammer blow deflected into the goal.
Brahma Coach Ryan Mogg “It was a tough game, a real battle against a really proud club. I thought the boys played well today and we deserved our win.”
Downs coach Alan Mottram “I thought we played well today but we need to improve in front of goal.”

REIGNING League Champion Ingle Farm have come from a goal down to defeat Salisbury Florina 3-2 at Walkleys Park.
The promoted Florina sent shock waves around the Farm home support when on two minutes Alex Djorem won the ball on half way before running through and sliding the ball past Farm keeper Tony Shaw.
Florina took the lead to the break but Farm showed the sort of character that helped claim the 2015 title with goals coming from Anthony Fedele, James Parker and Musti Ipekdal.
Jason Trimboli fired home his 3rd goal in two games for his new club on 75 minutes as Florina pushed for a point put it was too little too late as Farm secured their 1st points of the campaign.
Farm coach Paul Simpson “We need to kill games off when we get opportunities”.
Florian coach Jeff McCormack “Look we were happy with the way we played. We showed we can match it with anyone in the league.”

A Mark Burbridge goal in the last minute has helped Elizabeth Vale gain a point in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Salisbury Inter at Underdown Park.
The visiting Vale raced to a 3-1 lead with goals from captain James Greaves, coach Aaron Westerveldt and Mark Burbridge but Inter who gave up a three goal lead in round one hit back through a 2nd goal for Chris Fleming and a Alban Martini goal on 44 minutes as the teams went to the break locked at 3-3.
Martini turned provider in the 2nd half with a pin point cross that Marcus Marchioro headed home before giving up the lead for the 2nd week in a row when a long throw made its way into the six yard box where Burbridge was on hand to score a vital goal.
Inter coach Steve Cook “Very disappointed with the result but even more so that we have conceded seven goals in two games.”
Vale coach Aaron Westerveldt “Inter are a good side so we are pleased with a point, the boys just kept fighting.”

A Three goal 1st half blitz has helped Parafield Gardens to a 5-1 win over Tea Tree Gully at Bradman Oval.
Gardens failed to score in their opening day defeat to Salisbury Florina but had no such problem as they raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening half hour.
Gully recovered from being three goals down in round one and an early goal in the 2nd half gave them hope before a Callum Ebert screamer from long distance sealed the win for the home team before finishing in style with a fifth goal.
Salli Turson netted twice while Tyson Prescott and Lumi Adisa joined Ebert on the scoresheet. Gardens coach Louis Brain “I thought the boys played a little smarter today and importantly we took our opportunities.”

ELIZABETH Grove secured their first win of the season coming from a goal down to defeat West Beach 2-1 at Dauntsey Road.
Beach came into the game looking for a response after a 7-0 loss on the opening day while the Peckers were also disappointing in a 3-0 derby day loss to Elizabeth Vale.
The travelling Beach soaked up the early pressure and then struck on the half hour when a Roman McManus corner picked out Dan Yolland at the front post who headed home.
On 58 minutes the home team drew level when a fine Boree Kieng ball picked out Kahmen Grieg who slid his one on one effort past the Beach keeper.
The Peckers then saw efforts from Grieg and Kieng strike the cross bar before captain Jarred Bastable fired home the winner in the 89th minute to send the home fans wild.
Grove coach Shane Golder “Credit to the boys who worked really hard on the track this week. We made it hard work today but deserved the win.” Beach coach Bud Hilton “We set ourselves not to concede today and did well in the first half. I thought we deserved something from the game.”