SAASL Round 1 Write Up - Craig Laird

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Gabon
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SAASL Round 1 Write Up - Craig Laird

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Match of the Day
A Jason Trimboli first half double has helped Salisbury Florina to a shock 3-2 win over reigning Premier Division champion Brahma Lodge at Underdown Park.
Brahma Lodge are again expected to be challenging for the title but after an even opening they found themselves behind on 20 minutes when a long ball was headed on by Luke Singlewood into the path of predator Jason Trimboli who took a touch before finishing in style.
Florina gained confidence from the goal and on 25 minutes their lead was doubled when a free was awarded and from an acute angle Trimboli rifled his left footed shot into the roof of the net.
Lodge, who lost only one game in 2016, reduced the deficit on 40 minutes when after a goalmouth scramble Anthony Hartnell pounced to fire the ball home.
After the break Brahma started well and on 54 minutes Jay Crescenzi had a good opportunity but shot across the face of the goal.
On 78 minutes striker Michael Mullen picked up the ball did brilliantly to lose his defender but couldn’t hit the target with a well hit shot.
Moments later Mullen scored the equalizer when a free kick was parried onto the bar by Florina keeper Jamie Hart before the ball fell at the feet of Mullen who fired home.
Lodge had all the momentum and there looked only one winner at that stage but two minutes later a fine bit of Florina interplay finished with Matt Stokes who steadied before coolly sliding it passed the out coming keeper to secure a spirited victory.
Florina coach Jeff McCormack “It was a great three points for us. We changed things up a little and the boys executed really well. You know Brahma are going to keep coming but the boys really dug and soaked up the pressure.”
Brahma coach Ryan Mogg “It was disappointing to have worked so hard to get level and then give the lead away so soon after. Seasons aren’t decided after round one so we now focus on next week.”

SALISBURY Inter got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 away win over Para Hills East at Para Hills Oval.
Inter have been slow starters in recent seasons but they got off to a good start when on 15 minutes a goalmouth scramble was finally bundled into the net by Michael Marchioro to the delight of the visiting Inter support.
While Inter had the better of the opening half Easties came into the game in the 2nd but on 85 minutes Inter secured the points when a counter break saw Chris Fleming playing in Jackson Bell who showed great quality chipping the keeper to make it 2-0.
Inter Coach Steve Cook “It’s a really positive start for us, the boys were really hungry and disciplined today.”
East coach Ryan Bastable “I thought we played well, we just need to be a little more clinical in the final 3rd.”

ELIZABETH Downs came from behind to score a 3-2 win over Southern Knights in their season opener at Argana Park.
The Maroons start the season as favourites for the title and they took the lead on two minutes when a Billy Allottie cross was headed home by Matt Watson.
Knight’s striker Tom Foglia pounced on an errant Downs pack pass before sliding the ball home on seven minutes. An upset looked on the cards when after an hour another poor back pass was this time picked up by Matt Daughtry who made no mistake for the visitors.
The Downs lifted and Allottie scored his first goal for his new club when he scored after a goal mouth scramble and it was the Maroons key play maker Scott Lindsay who crafted the winner firing home a classic half volley.
Downs coach Alan Mottram “Knights made us work extremely hard for the win.”
Knights chairman Nick Swann “I think fitness told in the end but I was proud of our boys.”

A Robbie Williams goal 15 minutes from time help Modbury Vista to a 2-2 draw with Ingle Farm at Richardson Oval.
Farm got off to a dream start when striker Musti Ipekdal fired the visitors into the lead on two minutes but a Russell Clayton header on 33 minutes ensured a 1-1 score line at the break.
Ingle Farm regained the lead on 55 minutes through Matt Cocks but Vista showed great character to fight back with Williams slotting his goal on 75 minutes.
Vista coach Steve Melling “It was a hard fought battle that could have gone either way”
Farm coach Paul Simpson “I thought we played good football on a tough pitch.”

ELIZABETH Vale and Parafield Gardens had to settle for a point each after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Moflin Road.
Gardens took a deserved 1-0 lead to the half time break thanks to a Paul Whitney header.
The Vale lifted after the break and drew level on 55 minutes through a Jarred Ebert header and on 75 minutes a classy Mark Burbridge goal saw the home team take a 2-1 lead.
Gardens refused to lay down and on 85 minutes Whitney bustled his way into the box before firing home the equalizer.
Vale coach Tim Crawford “We were poor in the 1st half but the boys responded well after the break. We take the point and will look to build on that next week.”

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