United Lose to Undefeated One Tree Hill

On Saturday 3rd August Murray Bridge United travelled away to face One Tree Hill on a day with freezing conditions. The weather included wind diagonally across the pitch and patches of rain and drizzle, to make sure each player involved had to work hard to keep warm. United have been in great form throughout the year whenever they have played in wet conditions, and started confidently. The pitch was very small and One Tree Hill were used to playing to their conditions to use the pitch to their advantage. United started the first half against the breeze which made it hard to keep the ball out of their defence for the first half. The first 15 mins had both teams trying to control proceedings, with OTH looking the most dangerous by earning a few corners which United defended well. United were however holding their own and were looking good, but unable to string together a final pass for a good chance on goal until on 20 mins when Scott Graham picked up the ball just forward of the centre. He took a touch before playing a well weighted pass to Dylan August's feet, who took one touch as he turned and the next touch was a well hit shot from the edge of the box which flew into the bottom left side of the net. 0-1 and United celebrated as this lead meant a lot. After the goal though, OTH were able to lift and didn't take long to equalize. This came from a run down the right hand wing, which Alex Albanesi was unlucky not to be able to cut off, the attacker put a perfect low cross in which was finished well in the centre leaving Andrew Beaven no chance in goals. 1-1. United did not drop their heads as they hoped the breeze would also assist them in the 2nd half. The job became a lot harder when on 35 mins, another attack down the right by OTH had a low cross come in, which Harley McFee met on the half volley to clear, but the deflection flew passed Beaven and in the goals off the post. 2-1. Uniteds wingers, Stuart Bradshaw and Kane Oppelaar were made to work hard to have a huge influence in the game due to the small pitch squeezing them for space out wide. But OTH continued to use the breeze to their advantage and in the dying mins of the first half found themselves with 4 corners in a row. United kept out the first 3 but the 4th found a OTH head in the box which was finished well to make it 1-3 at the half time break.

United still were confident they had the ability to pull themselves back into the contest in the second half and began very well with the wind assisting them going forward. But as was the case in the first half, final third composure was lacking to execute the final pass. In the following 15 minutes after half time both teams had chances, with majority coming from from corners or wide free kicks, but all were defended well. Thompson Brinkworth was very solid throughout the contest at right and left back and did not let OTH create any chances down his side. The wind actually stopped at this stage and the fog rolled in, to make vision for all players and officials hard to see. On 65 mins, United won an attacking free kick on an angle, which Scott Graham stepped up to take with other players ready to rush the keeper hoping for an error. The free kick was hit well and was low, with the keeper only being able to deflect the ball to the on rushing August, Lucas Ragazzo and Kane Oppelaar, August got the first touch towards goal which the keeper also got a touch to, with the ball deflecting and rolling over the goal line. The ball appeared to touch Ragazzo last with him being awarded the goal. 3-2 and United were coming. After this United continued to press and OTH began to be more defensive trying to keep United out. With McFee and Lloyd Oppelaar becoming more attacking from centre back to assist the attackers to break the deadlock and McFee was closest to doing so when he rose alone to a K Oppelaar corner. But his header flew a foot over the crossbar, however he also found himself another headed chance, which also just missed the target. On 75 mins Ragazzo kept the ball through challenges from 2 defenders and blazed a low shot wide. United were up and about with OTHs backs against the wall, but United could not find the goal they needed. Then the result was sealed when on 82 mins the OTH attacker received the ball to feet wide in the box, before turning his marker and hitting the perfect shot into the bottom corner. 4-2. From this point in time, OTH stopped attacking and just sat back and defended everything United had. The match ended and audited can be happy with their efforts against the team that is likely to win the league. Best for a united were Bradshaw, Brinkworth, McFee, with Graham, August and Ragazzo also playing well.

United Reserves Are Tought A Lesson

The game began very one sided with OTH starting a strong side which blended together well in attack and they were running the United players around tirelessly. It did not take long for OTH to take the lead and they didn't stop there. They were relentless wanting every goal they could get and they were up 3-0 after 30 mins against a United side with no answers. Until Naimat Nasiry was able to find space to combine up front and he played a nice through ball for Matt Penta who used his pace to get to the ball first, take one touch and finish passed the helpless keeper. 3-1. But this sparked OTH into more action and the half time break came with the scores at 6-1. Fintan Heaney was called upon many times in the first and and played on with an injured finger.

Uniteds main aim in the second half was to concede a minimum and attempt to get on the score sheet again, they were able to get on the scoresheet again, but couldn't slow the flow of goals against. OTH started the second half where they left off and scored the first 2 goals of the second half to make the scores 8-1. Until on 75 mins when Matt Penta was again able to find a chance and made no mistake, with his second goal making the scores 8-2. OTH, continued, what was turning into a rushing and scored another 3 goals to make the final score 11-2. The game ended sourly when Heaney was able to dive on a ball to halt an attack, only for the attacker to proceed to kick him with the ball under him. There were a few words exchanged and the final whistle was blown. United have 7 days to improve their efforts and attempt to get back into the rhythm before the forced 4 week break at the worst time. Best for United was Penta with Nasiry, Daniel Irvine and Nathan Whitehead all working hard.