Footscray’s experience proved the difference in the second half against Frankston on Saturday, taking the advantage in the final term to record a close 14-point win.
In what has become a common occurrence in 2014, Frankston once again held the lead in the third term, only to see it snatched from their grasp in the final quarter, still yet to record their first win of the season.
On the flipside, Footscray has won three in a row to be sitting in 5th spot after nine rounds, setting them up for a big second half of the year, as Dale Fenney and Anthony Stanguts report.
After a goal for goal start to the game, Frankston started to dominate with Luke Potts, Ben Cavarra and Michael Lourey adding three in a row to push the home side out to an 18-point lead midway through the first term. Ayce Cordy kicked two late goals to bring the visitors within two points at quarter time.
Footscray regained the lead early in the second term, kicking the first two goals, but Jackson Coleman settled the nerves bringing the home team back within five points. After a fifty metre penalty gifted Footscray’s Lin Jong his first for the game, Ziggie Alwan dragged Frankston back with two quick goals to put the home side back in the game, leading by a point at half time.
The second half started slowly before Tim Harper put the first on the board for Frankston. Footscray big man Jones kicked his second, and he was influential down forward for the Buldogs. Alwan was busy around the ground and kicked his third goal midway through the quarter, but again the home side allowed late goals to their opponents. Alex Greenwood kicked his first and Jack Redpath got his third which put the visitors in front by four points at the three quarter time break.
Jason Johannisen and Brett Goodes added two goals in five minutes for Footscray, and suddenly the Bulldogs had control of the game. When Cordy kicked his third, the game was out of reach for the Dolphins. Harper kicked a late goal for the home side, but it was Footscray prevailing by 14 points.
Footscray coach Chris Maple thought his team struggled early but was relieved they fought hard and got the win.
“We struggled a little bit early, obviously the conditions were wet slippery and made it quite difficult for both sides and kept it a fairly even contest.”
He was full of praise for the taller players holding there own and having a huge influence on them winning the game.
“They don’t get any shorter, put it that way, so when it got late in the game they were quite influential. Jack Redpath kicked three goals and Liam Jones two and I thought Ayce Cordy played one of his best games of the year as well kicking a couple of goals and Tom Campbell dominated the ruck.”
Simon Goosey was happy that his team fought hard all match but was disappointed that they keep losing close games.
“That’s our sixth game now where we drew one and lost the other five where we’ve been in the game.
“I can’t question the boys today, (for) their effort and commitment they showed.
“We’ve just got to have a little bit more polish, during the third quarter when we had a bit of momentum we kicked four behinds when we should have kicked goals and that time in the last quarter we had one more scoring shot than them and also kicked a couple on the full. It is disappointing but I know we are not far away.”
Next week Footscray plays in the ABC TV game against Port Melbourne at North Port Oval whilst Frankston are left still searching for their first win are at home against Bendigo Gold.
Last Modified on 09/06/2014 23:28