Archives

« Previous Post | Next Post »

Gladesville's visit to the magnificent Birchgrove Oval was the first local derby match for the Tigers this season, and all expected a tight encounter. All were proved right as the match quickly turned into a midfield battle for possession with Balmain's central pairing of Jackson Gothe-Snape and Matt Jaffrey featuring prominently. A five minute blitz midway through the first half ultimately turned out to be the match-winning period of the game. Dave Hardwick opened the scoring, sending an angled volley just inside the far post from the edge of the box. Then Julian Bracewell doubled the lead within minutes, flicking the ball into the goal from a goalmouth scramble after Gladesville failed to clear a Balmain corner.

The second half continued the tight, scrappy nature of the contest and the Tigers looked to have the points in the bag with ten minutes to go. Gladesville made it an exciting finish though as they curled home a beautiful free kick around the wall. Fortunately for the jubilant Balmain supporters, Dan Ault had the final say with 5 minutes remaining as he latched onto a shallow clearance and unleashed an unstoppable low flying missile from all of 40 yards to make the final score 3-1 to the Tigers. Balmain's man of the match for the second week running was Jackson Gothe-Snape. Jackson also picked up the Gillespies Cranes Man of the Month award and at his acceptance speech he dedicated the achievement to his good mate Leo in Ireland.

The reserve team gave away their first points of the season in a 2-2 draw with an extremely relieved Gladesville side. Balmain dominated from the outset without being able to put away several decent chances and, as often happens, found themselves behind to a penalty goal after Gladesville's first decent attack of the first half. Balmain hit back shortly after, with Honza Capek beating a couple of would be tackles and burying his shot into the corner of the net. Balmain then found themselves denied time and again by some superb last ditch goalkeeping as the scores stayed level at half time.

The second half served up more of the same as Balmain dominated posession and territory, only to be hit on the break by a superb run and finish down the left flank. This time Balmain hit back immediately from the kick off, literally passing their way through the Gladesville defence, with Jem Richardson knocking in a deflected shot from Tony Merceides. Try as they might, and despite giving the Gladesville keeper and the woodwork a vigorous workout, the Tigers could not score again and the scores ended 2-2, with Jem Richardson picking up the man of the match.