U21 Robertson Cup Final
The first shot of the game in opening minutes by Rowan Moon of St Patricks blazed over goal. Wenty looked composed in defence, despite the fact that St Patricks were pressuring the player on the ball. Moon again shot from a distance with similar effect.
St Patricks were knocking the ball around nicely whilst not necessarily creating any genuine chances. The Sutherland Association side were dominating the match territorially but didn?t yet have anything to show for that dominance. Wenty keeper Blake Abela was doing a fine job for his side with some acrobatic work in goals.
Free kicks and corners were defended well by Wenty but they were struggling to break into attack.
Suddenly, totally against the run of play, Wenty counter attacked after clearing from their own penalty box. The ball was spread to Troy McNamara who burst down the left flank before cutting back inside. He then fired at goal, with the shot whistling past the keeper and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Wenty Waratahs had taken a 1-0 lead after 35 minutes.
St Patricks worked Paul Hyatt into the open after some good work by Rowan Moon but Hyatt?s shot hit the post and bounced away. The game was evening out now as Wenty had grown in confidence after their goal.
Half time 1-0 to Wenty.
St Patricks started the second half enthusiastically; once again dominating play. However, some errant shooting and fine goalkeeping was allowing Wenty Waratahs to maintain their lead. Despite St Patricks best intentions they couldn?t fashion a quality opportunity and the Waratahs were well marshalled defensively.
Again Wenty pushed forward and Troy McNamara was on the spot again to fire in his second goal to give Waratahs a 2-0 lead. It was hard to see a way back for St Pats now. The Sutherland side continued to play good football but it wasn?t happening for them in front of goal. Wenty had two of the better goal scoring opportunities of the half but weren?t able to take advantage of either.
Finally St Patricks were able to get some reward for their enterprise. A nice ball saw Shaun Brown break clear before centering to Rowan Moon who neatly tucked away his chance to make it 2-1 to Wenty Waratahs. St Pats now approached their work with renewed enthusiasm as they attempted to find an equaliser.
However, the St Patricks defence momentarily lost concentration allowing that man Troy McNamara to get in behind them again and finish clinically, restoring Wenty?s two goal buffer.
The full time whistle blew soon after giving Wenty Waratahs a fine 3-1 win.
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– Ross Anderson