Sunday Premier Division Round 4 Write Up

[Ossie]

BRAHMA LODGE vs ELIZABETH DOWNS
TWO Billy Allotey goals in the last 15 minutes helped Elizabeth Downs salvage a 3-3 draw with Brahma Lodge in the match of the day at Cockburn Green.

Both teams came into the game with identical 2 wins and 1 loss records and it was Lodge who opened brightly with striker Robbie McDonald hitting the crossbar in the 7th minute.
The Maroons worked their way into the game and took the lead on 24 minutes when a Sean Brennan cross was swept home by Scott Lindsay but five minutes later the teams were level through a Michael Mullen back post header.

Mullen scored a 2nd goal on 54 minutes when he rounded Downs keeper Ben Aldridge before sliding the ball home from a tight angle.
It appeared the game was over on 77 minutes when McDonald played the ball to Mullen who riffled a shot into the top corner to make it 3-1 and round off a quality hat trick.

The visiting Downs threw caution to the wind and when a Tommy Blackett shot was blocked the rebound fell to Billy Allotey who slotted the goal on 80 minutes.
Two minutes later it was 3-3 when Allotey was again on hand to pick up a deflection at the back post before composing himself and ramming it home to the roar of the travelling Downs fans.

Both sides pushed for a winner but in the end a great advert for Sunday Amateur Soccer finished 3-3.

Downs coach Steve Hughes “To take a point away from home having been 3-1 down with 15 to go was a good effort from the boys.”

INGLE Farm remain three points clear at the top of the table after a 1-0 win over Para Hills East at Walkleys Park.

Farm came into the game looking to make it four wins from four games while Easties travelled looking to add to a round 3 win over Elizabeth Vale.

After an even affair it looked like it would end in a stalemate before up stepped Musti Ipekdal with a brilliant overhead scissor kick which found the bottom corner on 82 minutes to send the home fans home happy.

East coach Alan O’Donell “It took a fantastic strike to beat us. We will take away a lot of positives from the game to build on.”

SALISBURY Inter has moved to 2nd on the table after a 3-1 win over neighbour Salisbury Florina at Underdown Park.

Buoyed by a 2-1 win over Brahma Lodge in round 3, Inter opened the game well moving to a 2-0 half time lead with goals from Dan Luciano and a Michael Centrone free kick.

Florina were reduced to 10 men on 70 minutes but despite that they continued to fight and on 79 minutes were awarded a penalty that Christos Kafkikas converted.

The sealer for Inter came in the 90th minute through Chris Fleming as Inter made it three wins from four games to start the season.

Steve Cook Inter Coach “The boys played well today and we are happy with the result.”
Jeff McCormack Florina Coach “We are playing well but just making some basic errors which are being punished. Credit to Inter they deserved their win.”

TWO injury time goals helped Para Hills West rescue a point in a 3-3 draw with Elizabeth Vale at Moflin Road.

The teams went to the break locked at 1-1 after a fine drilled Greg Jerome freekick gave Westies the lead before Michael Francis converted from the penalty spot for the home team.

Elizabeth Vale, looking to halt a two-game losing streak, went ahead when Bryn Fairman pounced on a defensive mistake before slotting his chance.
When Francis scored his 2nd penalty of the day the Vale appeared to be heading to their 1st home win of the season as the game entered stoppage time.

Westies have shown they have the ability to comeback this season and in stoppage time they grabbed a lifeline when a Tom Foglia shot was parried into the path of Matthew Pilcher who netted from close range.

In a dramatic finale, 18-year-old substitute Jackson Otoli got on the end of a through ball before composing himself and finishing coolly for his 1st goal for the club.

Westies Coach Michael Iacovino “The Vale were really up for the contest today but the boys showed great character to comeback and salvage a point.”
Vale Coach Tim Crawford “it was our best 90 minute performance of the season which is positive but it feels like a loss at the moment.”

PARAFIELD Gardens returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Tea Tree Gully at Bradman Oval.

Gardens were looking for a response from a dismal 7-0 loss to Elizabeth Downs in round 3 and they opened strongly.

The experienced Scott Wiedenbach opened the scoring after a goal mouth scramble and then soon after made it 2-0 from the penalty spot but what was a dream start for Wiedenbach turned sour on 20 minutes when he saw red to leave Gardens with 10 men.

Gardens took a 3-0 lead to the break when Paul Whitney was put through and despite his attempt being saved he was on hand to slot the rebound.
After the break Gully defender Wilson Taylor rose high to head the ball home which sparked the visitors who were pressing hard for a 2nd but when Wilson saw red on 75 minutes the game petered out.

Gardens coach John McCormack “We asked for a response and a solid work ethic today and we go that. The boys played well today against a team that really pushed hard.”
Gully coach Mat Flounders “The boys are working really hard without reward. If we keep doing what we are doing the results will come.”