FREMANTLE V WESLEY SOUTH PERTH

Men’s AHG League Round 12

In Round One Fremantle and WASPS fought out a thrilling three all draw with WASPS.  This time round it was the Magpies who had to dig deep and recover from a two goal deficit to force a draw.

In wintery conditions at Melville the game was a tough close fought encounter. Whilst it never reached great heights as a spectacle it was a game packed with interest, tension and possibilities. Both sides wanted the win and no quarter was asked nor given. This showed when two Kookaburras team mates now on opposing sides made their intentions clear to each other.

WASPS with a defence boasting the skills of Kookaburras Brent Dancer and Kiel Brown well supported by the not inconsiderable skills of Chris Munro and others were always going to be tough nut for the young Magpie forward line to crack.

For Fremantle they welcomed back Jesse Dowsing and Ian McHugh from injury whilst they were missing the services of Duncan Pearce and Chris Metcalf.

With Phil Marshall and Australian players Matthew Butturini and Simon Orchard in the mid field the Magpies would have expected to have the edge there and so it proved.

The scoring started in the fourth minute when WASPS attacking down their left managed to centre the ball. Fremantle defenders did not handle the situation well. Paul Robertson was on hand to take advantage of this and scored from close range to give his side the lead.

The game then settled down to be a battle of attrition with Fremantle holding a slight edge in possession and territory but never being particularly likely to score. WASPS on the other hand seemed quite capable of absorbing the pressure and from fewer opportunities looked the more dangerous in front of goal.

WASPS second goal came in the 19th minute. Butturini was dispossessed high in his own half. Paul Robertson was able to gain possession and from the right  WASPS were able to fire in a cross. Trent Mitton was on hand to deflect in for WASPS second goal for the game and his second for the season.

Fremantle continued to press and won the penalty corner count four to one but were unable to convert these opportunities.

Half time came with WASPS holding the two goal advantage.

The second half started well for the Magpies. In the 37th minute a free hit taken just inside the attacking “25” was smashed in. The ball rebounded off WASPS keeper Chris Munro to Phil Marshall who shot quickly and effectively. Fremantle had their first goal and it was game on.

As before Fremantle’s midfield gave them a slight edge but WASPS defence looked rock solid and with Murray McIntyre and Trent Mitton up front supported by Neil Rose and Rob Duguid were always a chance to score.

Finally Fremantle’s pressure told. Orchard and Butturini had been influential and held sway. An incorrect tackle on Butturini outside the “D” but inside the “25” was deemed worthy of a more severe penalty and a Penalty Corner was awarded.

This time Fremantle scored. The initial shot was saved but the ball Munro was unable to clear the ball. A scrimmage developed as both sides desperately competed for the ball but the winner was Paul Nicholls who was able to force the ball over for a Fremantle goal to make it two all.

The game continued to be a tight tussle with chances at both ends but ultimately there was no change to the score. Probably this was a fair result. WASPS some great field goal attempts on the back of quick, crisp and accurate ball movement that were only denied by some gallant defending. Whereas Fremantle will think that one goal from the number of corners they had is a poor result.

All in all the game was a highly interesting and absorbing struggle between two teams with significantly varying strengths.

Match Statistics
Wasps                    2
Paul Roberston    1     (FG 4)
Trent Mitton         1     (FG 19m)
Fremantle            2
Phil Marshall       1   (FG 37m)
Paul Nicholls     1    (PC 43m)