Double-header wrap up
More frustration was endured for the Tigers over the last week as they went down 1-0 to Stanmore on Saturday night, then produced a stunning comeback to lead Fairfield 3-2 with 5 minutes to go only to concede an equaliser at the death for a 3-3 draw at Lambert Park last night.
The story of Saturday’s match at Arlington Oval was like summing up the season so far in 90 minutes. It was a scrappy game with chances at a premium, and Balmain failed to convert the three best opportunities of the match. Stanmore created nothing of note until a deflected shot from the corner of the box looped into the top corner with 15 minutes to play.
The under 20s also endured a forgettable night, being outplayed and overpowered, and going down 3-0 in the end.
That brings us to Wednesday night at Lambert park. The under 20s bounced back from defeat to Stanmore with a 1-0 win over Fairfield. Denny Noor bagged the winner shortly before full time, smacking the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area. With a game in hand and 5th place Inter Lions visiting Lambert Park on Saturday, the finals are still not out of the question for the 20s.
The first grade game against Fairfield was played at a frantic pace from the outset. The ball pinged end to end with both sides eager to attack at every opportunity. Two fantastic early saves from Dan Conway kept the Tigers in the match, first palming the ball onto the crossbar then another onto the post to deny Farifield. Late in the half Fairfield jagged a goal when a mis-hit shot rolled across the six yard box and the unlucky Tom Sowden deflected it past the stranded Conway for an own goal. Worse came within minutes though, as some slack defending allowed Fairfield to play a couple of one-twos around the edge of the area, leaving an unmarked striker with a simple finish from six yards.
What a different story the second half was. The Tigers threw everything at Fairfield from the whistle and had shortly pulled a goal back via a smart finish by Craig Andrews from the edge of the area. The equaliser was provided by Jake Flower who smashed his shot into the roof of the net through a crowd in the penalty area. With the game still flowing from end to end it looked like either side could snatch the points. And with 5 to go, Andrews hit another from outside the box and big Lozza Merlino popped up to deflect it in off his thigh. That wasn’t the end though. With Eamonn Byrne off the field concussed after being elbowed in the head off the ball, Fairfield took advantage and scored an equaliser to leave the Tigers once again spitting chips.
