CITY RESSIES FALL SHORT OF FIRST TEAM INTO 2011 RESERVE GRADE GRAND FINAL
The NCAFC Ressies proved they can match pace setters Cardiff, but just fell short in their see-sawing Major Semi at No.1 27/8/11, going down 16-8 104 to 12-10 82. See more....
City let themselves down in the closing 10 minutes of the last term allowing Cardiff the easy path to the GF, despite leading by 2 goals early in that critical last quarter. Before that however, The Blues proved they can match everything thrown at them.
Cardiff jumped City in the first term skipping out to a 4-2 to 1-0 score at the first break. City’s single goal to Dinneen. With some positional changes together with a refocus at the break, City fought back displaying a strong and direct quarter of football, whacking in 6-4 to their 2-2 to go to the long break with a 1 goal lead 7-4 to 6-4. Lonnon was proving a handful with Calman dominating the rucks. Goals to Annesbury (2), Deed, Konetschnik, Lonnon and Price.
The third term was a dour affair, no side given much away with goals traded one way then the other. City goals to Baster, Dawes and Lonnon. Scores at the last break Cardiff 10-7 to City 10-6 setting up for an exciting finish.
With some well earned confidence, City bounced into the last term with 2 goals (Dinneen and Konetschnik) plus a rushed point to get out to a 2 goal lead with 10 minutes to go. Then the wheels fell off. Lack of talk saw two City players collide in the middle of the ground, Cardiff sweeping through to boot a rousing goal. That was followed up by a couple of brain snaps resulting in Cardiff being awarded a 50 metre penalty to get a goal followed up by 2 x 50 metre penalties in a row to be gifted another goal. All that in 3 minutes! That seemed to take the wind right out of the Blues sails as they struggled to compose themselves against a rampaging Cardiff. Watching the opposition swallow up a 2 goal deficit and bang on a further 4-1 rattled the Blues beyond imagination, wobbling through a further 4 behinds. When the siren sounded, City were devestated with what happened in 12 minutes of footy to see the first GF berth snatched from their clutches.
Discipline was the single biggest factor that cost the game – simple as that.
At least City showed they can match it as long as they keep their heads pulled in. City was best served by Lonnon, Calman, Deed, Crace, Barry and Konetschnik.
The loss means that City will host the Preliminary Final next Saturday 3/9/11 against the winner of the other semi being played today (Sunday 3/9/11) between Nelson Bay and Terrigal down at Bateau Bay.
True Blue.
Last Modified on 27/08/2012 21:03