A resilient Albert Park have ended the Northern Blues Amateurs six-game unbeaten run following a nail-biting one-point win at Ruthven Reserve on Saturday.
Ryan Hayes kicked the winning goal in the dying stages for the visitors, lifting his side to victory in captain Adrian Snowden’s 100th game for the club.
The 14. 15. (99) to 15. 10. (100) result extends the Falcon’s winning streak to five consecutive victories, putting them within an arms reach of the coveted top six.
Northern started the game strongly in windy conditions in Preston, with two first half goals from Ty Lehmann capping off fast flowing ball movement.
Tony Vuwai and Jay Phelan both enforced their presence at the contests to assist that play, winning the inside ball and feeding it to the run and carry outside the contests.
However, an inability to convert on scoring opportunities in the second half allowed the Falcon’s back in the match, kicking four goals and 11 behinds after half-time.
At the other end of the ground, key position forward Stuart Maunder (three goals) capatilised on his chances in front of goal in a best-on-ground performance for Albert Park.
The Blues had a chance to steal the victory in the final seconds of the match after Tony Vuwai sent the ball deep into the forward-line before Nathan Cattle spoiled to end the forward thrust.
The Falcon’s fans were in raptures as the final siren blew with the ball in their defensive fifty following the spirited comeback.
The match is the second time the two sides have played one-another this season, the first a 91-point Northern Blues victory in round one at Sportscover Arena.
Alex Campbell played his first senior game for the Northern Blues in the clash while Corey Paterson also played his first senior game of 2014.
The Blues have moved down to second on the ladder following the loss behind Emmaus St Leos on percentage.
Northern will now face the seventh-placed Power House away at Ross Gregory Oval on the 19th of July following a VAFA bye.
Northern Blues 3.3 10.4 13.7 14.15 (99)
Albert Park 3.4 4.6 11.9 15.10 (100)
Goal Kickers: T. Vuwai 2, T. Lehmann 2, J. King 2, N. Parkes 2, L. McRedmond , D. Marcon , J. Sortino , M. Cigagna , D. Calcedo , A. Farchione
Best Players: J. Phelan, T. Vuwai, J. King, D. Calcedo, N. Parkes, T. Lehmann
Last Modified on 23/07/2014 22:57
