Ooh so close!!!
In the wash up, the new look Hornets under coach John Blair might have just given themselves and the rest of the competition a taste of what is to come as although the lads finally went down by just five points, many at the ground felt that the boys should have left with four points. With 7 new players making their debut in Round 1 and a new game plan, the early signs for Aspley were very positive
The first half was a real arm wrestle, with both teams playing a high standard brand of football. Both clubs went coast to coast on a number of occasions using quality foot skills and hard running to put their opponent on the back foot. The Hornets went into the main break trailing by 15 points and it was going to take a big effort to control the marking power of the Sharks forward line.
After half time the Sharks kicked the first goal of the term and threatened to break the game open. That was until the young Hornets banged on the next 7 goals to grab a 12 point lead late in the third quarter. Two goals to James Ives and a goal of the day from recruit Daniel Smith were the highlights. These 7 goals were kicked into a slight breeze and at one stage it looked as though the Sharks were gone.
Unfortunately, we allowed the Sharks to kick the last three of the term and in doing so, let a 12 point lead turn into a 6 point deficit at the last break. Both teams were clearly feeling the strains of not only the Round 1 expectations, but the heat was a telling factor as both clubs struggled to cope in tough conditions.
The last term started badly for our boys as the Sharks skipped away to a handy 3 goal lead and with players struggling in the heat, it seemed that the game may have fizzled out and the sharks would have finally put the Young Hornets away. However this new look outfit were determined to give it all to the last siren and goals to Reece Toye and Nathan Clarke reduced the deficit to just 5 points with 2 minutes left on the clock.
It was a nail biting finish as the Hornets threatened to score on 2 occasions. However it was the solid defense of Southport that held on and repelled the last few forward thrusts and when the siren blew, it was devastated Hornets players and supporters that were left pondering what could have been.
Although we now look to next week, there many great signs to come out of the first round loss. There was not a passenger for the Hornets with all players contributing and many players showing improvement on last year.
19 year olds James Ives and Josh Wagner had very good games whilst James Nelis showed signs that we may have found another key forward. New recruits Daniel Smith, Ryan Matthews and Eddie Sansbury were all influential at different times as well as Brendan Forbes who return to State League for the first time in a number of years.
A big thank you to the players who helped out our undermanned Reserve grade on Saturday. We ha 24 players unavailable because of the 12 within the U18s lions academy and 12 either injured or overseas.
Aspley 16.10; 106
Southport 17.9; 111
Aspley
Goal Kickers: J. Ives 3, D. Smith 2, R. Toye 2, J. Nelis 2, N. Clarke 2, C. Stiller , J. Satchell , A. Hughes , J. Stanley , A. Lucy
Best Players: D. Smith, R. Matthews, R. Copeland, M. Hutchinson, J. Satchell, E. Sansbury
Next weeks games at Graham Rd
Seniors; Aspley V NT 1.30
Reserves ; Aspley v Morningside @ Esplan Oval 10.45am
Under U18s; Aspley v Morningside @ Esplan Oval4.45pm
Last Modified on 25/03/2013 11:09