POSTAL ALC 1 - STONEYWOOD PARKVALE 3 - AAFA Div2 - WEBSTER PARK - WED 6th AUG

Second game of the season saw Stoneywood visit Webster Park on a cracking evening, perfect for football. After an opening day victory cementing a good preseason, Postal were in good spirits and named the same starting eleven that got the points on Saturday

1 Grant

2 Riddell

3 Bruce

4 Adam

5 Alli

16 Luca

7 Abel

8 Alex

9 Harry

10 Phil

11 Sultan

12 Marty

14 Duncan

15 Doug

6 Vinnie

17 Fraser

18 Marko

21 Shaun

We started the game really flat but neither team was really getting a foot on the ball however it was Stoneywood doing all the pressing. Inside the first 5 minute we got bitten and Stoneywood took the lead. Some pinball build up found a runner from midfield who showed lovely feet to get through the defence and slotted the ball home in style. 0-1. Sometimes losing a goal knocks some sense into you but that wasn't the case tonight and the sloppy play continued. We could hardly string 3 passes together and the stronger opposition were giving us no time on the ball.

On 10 minutes we finally got some football going and forced a corner down the left. Phil swung the ball across, evaded everyone and was unlucky to see his attempt come back off the post. From the rebound a powerful header seemed to be heading in before the goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save to tip the ball over the top. A bit of life was now in the Postal play but Stoneywood still looked dangerous with both wide players putting in good crosses and showing lots of quality. After 20 minutes Phil, who was looking better and better on the ball ran direct at the Stoneywood defence before cutting inside and being clipped by the defender. Looked like he played for it a wee bit but also looked clear cut that he was caught. Referee decided to look the other way.

The game was more end to end now with Stoneywood still looking good but Postal coming much more into it and playing in the opposition half much more. After a free kick at the edge of the Postal box broke down a lovely sweeping move forward resulted in quick passing and moving between Sultan and Bruce down the left but again no final ball. This was a theme for the next 15-20 minutes with Postal were coming more and more into the game and getting control but not hurting Stoneywood.

Postal were now coping with the strong, tall and physical Stoneywood side better and coming to grips with what needed to be done. As often is the case just when you think you have it under control a sucker punch hits you. In the first Stoneywood attack for a while a cross from the right caused problems and miscommunication between Riddell and Alli left the Stoneywood sticker standing all alone inside the box. He didn't need to be asked twice and cooly slotted the ball home. Poor defending. 0-2.

Stoneywood sensed blood now and the left winger skipped passed a couple of defenders and got the ball passed Grant but Adam managed to get back and clear off the line. Another attack down the left hand side resulted in a silly foul and a free kick 6 yards from the byline. Dangerous deep cross from the free kick and some cleaver movement from the Stoneywood attack resulted in three of the tallest players being free at the back post. One of them climbed the highest and headed home. Poor defending again. 0-3.

Fears of a cricket score due to the lack of urgency and aptitude from the players was discussed at half time and the players responded by at least upping the effort slightly at the start of the second half. Still the quality in possession of the ball was lacking. 10 minutes in and Duncan was introduced for Riddell resulting in a change of shape in an attempt to get back into the game. Sultan was booked on 55 minutes. Duncan was busy but Stoneywood defence still stood strong. He did manage to get a couple of shots away, one resulting in another good save from the goalkeeper. 

On the hour mark Doug was introduced for Sultan with an instruction to inject more energy into our play. This had the desired effect and we were causing more problems for the Stoneywood defence. Doug forced a cross in which was blocked by the hand of a Stoneywood defender. Penalty. Phil stepped up looking confident and with a hop, skip and jump slotted the ball past the goalkeeper and brought Postal back into the game. 1-3.

Was this to be the catalyst for a big grandstand comeback with 20 minutes to go. We forced a free kick 2-3 minutes after the penalty which Phil got up and over the wall perfectly but the goalkeeper produced another fine save. Marko was introduced for Harry with 10 minutes to go to change things up and try and get the second goal we craved. To be honest there was a lethargy creeping to the play again though with the team very flat and seemingly accepting of the result. Fair play to Stoneywood they were not giving us any time on the ball, defending strongly and still breaking forward.

With 8 minutes remaining Phil drove forward again from midfield and again went down in the box under a clumsy looking challenge. Same as the first half ref looked the other way and awarded nothing. Then in the last five minutes strong running down the right hand side resulted in the ball falling to Marko 8 yards from goal. A swing and a miss later from the centre forward and the last chance of the game came and went and the game petered out to a conclusion. Not a good game for Postal. Everything seemed flat in the team. Too much acceptance with what was unfolding and no real quality on the ball. Nothing went our way but these things happen and we just need to learn from it next time we come up against a physically imposing team like Stoneywood. To be fair, the best team won on the day.