Firsts Match Reports

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Sep 7 - Firsts battle bravely against top-placed Fremantle

With numerous regulars out to injury, it was always going to be a mighty challenge for the Firsts to steal a victory against top-placed Fremantle United and keep their chances of staying in the top flight next year alive. To their credit, in spite of considerable offensive pressure from the visitors, the boys defended brilliantly in the first half and kept a clean sheet.

In the second half, through bad luck the firsts’ brave stand was finally foiled. When a Maccabi player and his marker collided, the ball went loose and a Fremantle player was able to play through another for a one-on-one with keeper Luke Melia, which resulted in the opening goal. Then the boys fell victim to a venomous strike from 25 yards out that dipped just under the cross bar and made it 2-0. From a corner, Sevan Gore beat his marker to the ball and directed the ball into the net and it was 2-1. Last minute hopes of salvaging a point were sadly extinguished when some good passing from the opposition culminated in a player cutting through the line of defenders and shooting to make it 3-1, which was the final result.

Aug 31 - Sloppy defending by all costs the Firsts the game

With the season imminently drawing to a close, the firsts were in great need of a win against Murdoch to keep their hopes of surpassing third-bottom Lynwood and avoiding relegation. Ten minutes in, Stewie Broom whipped in a low corner that Warren Dworcan cleverly flicked goal-ward from the front post. On its way to the keeper, the ball brushed past the hand of a Murdoch player and a penalty was awarded. Bruzesse stepped up but shot meekly at the keeper. Soon after the boys were rueing their missed opportunity because a Murdoch player flicked on a header for a striker to round keeper Luke Melia and take the lead. The Firsts were caught napping again when a Murdoch defender went on a careering run from the half-way line weaving through Maccabi players and into the box for an easy side-foot finish to make it 2-0. Finally, an answer came from Maccabi; Angelo Contolessa played a long ball from the halfway line to Bruzesse, who found himself one-on-one with the keeper and this time found his mark with a strike into the bottom left corner.

In the second half Maccabi created a few half-chances but Murdoch ultimately ran away with the game. Through poor defending a Murdoch player was allowed to sneak inside to the by-line and cut the ball across the face of goal for the most simple of finishes for his team-mate. Not longer after, it was 4-1 and the result was beyond doubt; indeed that became the final scoreline.

Aug 27 - CUP SEMI FINALS - Firsts’ luck finally runs dry in another epic Cup game

E&D Litis Stadium, with its large grandstand, towering glaring floodlights and its well-tended pitch with a classy chequered mowing pattern, was a very fitting venue for The Firsts’ auspicious semi-final Cup clash against Olympic Kingsway. The Firsts took to the field in their usual well-balanced 4-4-2 formation, and began the game solidly. Fifteen minutes in, Tino Bruzzese played an uncharacteristic but effective pass from a free-kick beside the wall to Tal Lahav, whose shot was blocked by an advancing defender. Soon after, Bruzzese delivered a cheeky back-heel by to Grieve, but his shot scuttled wide of the post. By half-time the game was still scoreless.

In the second half, Lahav showed some wizardry, with his first touch dragging the ball behind his back to the by-line, but the tight-angled shot was saved by the Olympic keeper. Towards the end of the regulation 90 minutes, Kingsway began to make their move. A dipping, darting half-volley bounded off the underside of the cross-bar and back into play and soon after some desperate scrummaging in the box by Maccabi denied Kingsway a killer blow before the full time whistle.

Fatigued and having lost some key players to injury, the Firsts soldiered on into extra time. When Kingsway won a free kick near the corner flag, Maccabi players and supporters’ hairs stood on end. Somehow, two Olympic players ran unmarked to the back post and one of them knocked a clean uncontested header hard into the net. Maccabi tried desperately to equalise and nearly did when Pat Warr played an intelligent arcing cross to the back post for Grieve who attempted a sliding volley but alas the ball was just out of reach. Kingsway held on and claimed the victory.

Aug 24 - Shamrock lucky to steal a point from the impressive Firsts

The Firsts were hoping that their third coach of the season, existing Reserves coach Steve Selwyn might have a different approach that could effect a much needed good result in their away game against Shamrock Rovers. Unfortunately after fifteen minutes, a Shamrock player chested and volleyed from a corner into the top of the net to put his team in front. Maccabi nearly replied immediately when Warren Grieve made a good pass to Tal Lahav who cleverly chipped the ball over his marker but unfortunately couldn’t find the net with his strike. Soon after Lahav more than earned redemption for his miss by following up on a great strike from Grieve and tapping the ball in to make it 1-1. Tino Bruzzese nearly nosed the boys ahead with a free-kick that flew just wide, and then with a pile-driver from outside box that bounded off the cross bar.

The second half started slowly with both teams cautious not make a mistake that could grant the opposition the lead. That lead was nearly seized by Maccabi when Bruzzese put a ball over the defenders through to Lahav who couldn’t keep his shot under the bar. Shamrock made the most of their next chance on goal and edged 2-1 in front. Up-and-coming defender Mark Masel sent a long ball over the top, and Lahav pounced onto it and chipped the keeper to equalise. Masel supplied another good ball, this time from a free kick near the halfway line to Grieve who finished with composure in the bottom right corner and for the first time Maccabi were in front. Sadly Shamrock had to spoil a superb victory by sneaking in a 3-3 equaliser with only five minutes to play. Nevertheless the boys and newly appointed Steve Selwyn had much to celebrate when the final whistle was blown.

Aug 10 - Bruzzese double put a big upset in reach for Firsts

If coach Warren Grieve had written a script for the firsts’ game against Hamersley, it definitely wouldn’t have started the way the game began. Not long in, an incisive pass split the defence and put through a Rovers forward that struck the ball clinically into the net. Soon after, a Rovers player controlled the ball, was able to turn to towards goal and unleashed a rocket that keeper Luke Melia could do nothing about, and it was 2-0. At the other end, young gun Neil Borosh beat a couple of defenders and pinged a shot from a very acute angle that nearly snuck in - it skimmed the post.

In the second half, the Firsts’ luck turned – a woeful back-pass by a Hamersley defender missed the keeper entirely and Bruzzese went through to make it 2-1. Just when a major upset looked possible, a cross from the right fell to a Rovers’ player, who made it 3-1. When Hamersley made it 4-1, the game was all but over. Nevertheless, an unsuccessful clearance was intercepted by Bruzzese, who clinched a late consolation goal to make it 4-2, a respectable final score against second placed Hamersley.

Aug 3 - Another loss mounts more pressure on the Firsts

With the possibility of relegation beginning to loom on the horizon, the Firsts were in great need of a win against UWA on Sunday. Unfortunately twenty minutes in, the Firsts were ravaged by a spectacular run by a striker who darted past four men and finished to make it 1-0. Ten minutes later Neil Borosh had a chance to equalise but rushed his shot and spooned it over the bar. Richard Selwyn provided a great cross to Tal Lahav but Tal mis-timed his shot and a defender was able to clear.

Not long into the second half, a UWA player won possession, ran into the box and slotted the ball inside the near post to make it 2-0. Any hopes of a Maccabi revival were soon dashed when coach Warren Grieve quite flagrantly pushed his marker and gave away a penalty, which was converted. UWA managed one more before full time, and the game ended 4-0.

Jul 24 - Come-back with a Vengeance

The first team stated their quarter finals match against CN Canning International with a very attacking formation of 3-4-3 under lights at E&D Litis Stadium.  The boys were very nervous from the offset and an early mistake by the defence gave Canning the lead just inside 15 minutes. The first half saw some good opportunities but nothing concrete.

Some strong words from Coach Warren Grieve at half time gave the firsts some inspiration as they controlled play during the majority of the second half. Unfortunately nothing came for all their effort and determination as the Canning keeper made some spectacular saves from close range attempts. Luke Melia kept the boys in the game with two unbelievable saves from strong shots inside the area. In the 88th minute a superb strike by Stewie Broom came off the post for Tal Lahav to calmly slot in the equalizer and take the boys to extra time.

With their momentum and spirits running high the firsts dominated extra time and early on a fierce strike by Tal Lahav was saved by the keeper but stoped on the line for Warren Grieve to tap in the winner and make it 2-1. Maccabi continued dominating and shortly after a magnificent run buy Warran Dworcan was superbly finished with a curling shot to the bottom left corner.

In the second half of injury time Pat Warr scored a sublime goal just inside the area and put the game beyond doubt. The boys didn't stop there and continued their annihilation with another well taken goal from Warren Dworcan to make it 5-1 and  take the boys to the Semi Finals.

Jul 20 - Momentary lapses in concentration cost Firsts their game

The firsts had plenty of chances in the first half of their clash with Spearwood, but sadly none were taken. Tino Bruzzese almost jumped onto the score card with a shot in the box that sailed over the cross bar, Tal Lahav could have made more of a one-on-one with the keeper and Yoni Steingiesser came ever so close with a strong header that was denied by  the crossbar. The Maccabi defence remained solid throughout the half, which ended 0-0.

In the second half the Firsts suffered a painful case of déjà vu, when similar to last week an opposition striker broke the offside trap, rounded the oncoming Luke Melia and put it away. A cracking shot from regular rocket-launcher Stewie Broom just missed the top corner. Then a lapse of concentration allowed an opposition player to receive a ball unmarked at the edge of the box, and he cooly finished to double Spearwood’s lead. A late chance arose to peg a goal back via a shot from Lahav inside the 6-yard box, but it wasn’t to be and the game ended 2-0 to Spearwood.

Jul 13 - Lahav orchestrates a remarkable comeback

The Firsts’ game against Joondalup panned out to be a nearly complete reversal of the Ressies’ game. The Firsts went 1-0 down after a Joondalup forward beat the offside trap, running unmarked onto a cross into the box, beating the keeper to ball and putting it into the back of the net. The boys had their chances to equalise, but their efforts were off target and they went into the half time break still a goal down.

The home team scored a second goal in a similar manner to their first, via a cross over the defence to a striker who finished with ease. A corner was played into the box and fell to the feet of Tal Lahav who made no mistake and made it 2-1.  Soon after, Lahav beat the keeper to a cross from Patt Warr and the game was wide open at 2 goals apiece. Riding on their buliding momentum, the boys completed their astounding comeback through a hatrick header from Lahav from a ball from Tino Bruzzese.  The firsts could have extended their lead, but nevertheless managed to hold out for a 3-2 victory. Despite getting a second yellow and being sent off, coach Warren Grieve must have been delighted with the outcome.

Jun 29 - Firsts end their win drought in emphatic fashion

Coach Warren Grieve’s unprecedented ploy to play on the far field paid off handsomely for the firsts in their home fixture against Perth Azzuri. The boys made good use of the more even surface with excellent passing around the park.  Mitch Partridge guided a fine header into the net from a Bruzesse corner, but the goal was disallowed, much to the dismay of the jeering crowd. Then Bruzesse conjured up some magic, beating two and slipping a peachy ball for Stewie Broom to slide onto and steer into the goals.

Bruzesse soon after masterminded another goal, crossing a great ball which Tal Lahav steered elegantly into the net to make it 2-0. Then it was Neil Borosh’s turn, latching onto a ball from Bruzesse, taking a touch and slotting it past the keeper. Angelo Cotolessa supplied an incisive cross from the left wing into the box for Borosh, who did the business again. Lahav notched up another goal when he ran onto a dangerous through-ball and it was 5-0. To hammer the final nail into Azzuri’s coffin, nearing full time Yoni “Steiney” Steingiesser lobbed a precise ball for Borosh, who skinned three players and put the ball away to complete his hat-trick. And so the game ended a whopping 6-0 to Maccabi!

Jun 22 - Firsts hold on to secure a Cup Quarters berth

Determined not to let their third round Cup game be as close and nerve-wracking as their previous Cup game, the Firsts started very strongly against Suburbs United on Sunday. Not long into the game, Tal Lahav supplied a ball in the box to Tino Bruzzese, who let loose a pile-driver into the top left corner to give the Firsts a 1-0 lead. Later, an impressive display of one-touch passing by the midfield culminated in a delivery to Lahav, who doubled the lead with a strike into the top right corner.

In the second half Maccabi took their collective foot off the pedal and seemed happy to sit back and defend. Suburbs churned out several shots from outside the box, none of which really tested the keeper. Nearing full time, the visitors finally pegged one back when one their players ran into the box, evaded a tackle and struck the ball into the net. Invigorated by their goal and the prospect of an equaliser, Suburbs desperately attacked the goal for the remaining minutes, but Maccabi held on well to seal a 2-1 victory and advance to the quarters of the Cup.

Jun 15 - Firsts battle bravely against league leaders

Warren Grieve did not get an easy initiation into his new role as First team coach; in his first full game at the helm, the Firsts were up against league leaders Fremantle FC.

However, the game started promisingly for Maccabi. After a goalmouth scramble, an error by the Fremantle keeper suddenly put Tino Bruzzese into a direct 1-on-1 with keeper, but his shot glanced the outside of the post.

In the first half, neither team was able to control the midfield and the game was generally very scrappy. When a Fremantle player latched onto a free-kick delivery into the box keeper Luke Melia made a great save but tragically the ball was pushed directly onto the head of an opposition player who had little difficulty putting the ball into the net. Soon after but just before half time, Fremantle doubled their lead after the Maccabi defence was prised open by a cunning through-ball.

Maccabi came out firing in the second half, dominating possession and looking dangerous. Warren Dworcan laid a through-ball to returning striker Tal Lahav, but Lahav’s shot was denied by a brilliant save. Then a superb lofted through-ball from defender Mark Masel found Bruzzese at the penalty spot, who put a delightful header into the bottom corner to make it 2-1. In spite of continued domination and admirable determination, Maccabi unluckily conceded for a third time when an inch-perfect through ball gifted a Fremantle striker a goal. The final 3-1 score-line sadly did not reflect the closeness of the contest.

This Sunday, the boys are at home for third round Cup games. The reserves kick off at 12:30 against third division side Heathridge SC and The Firsts kick off at 2:30pm against first division side Suburbs United. Come down and support!

Jun 8 - Firsts left to rue missed opportunities

The firsts seemed switched on from the outset in their encounter with Murdoch. They came painfully close to seizing an early lead when a follow up to a shot across the face of goals that should have been put away was dollied over the crossbar. Neil Borosh came close too with a dangerous shot that was palmed away by the keeper and his striking partner Tino Bruzesse came even closer with a piledriver that grazed the keeper’s fingers and was then denied by the post.

Early in the second half, a poor clearance from Maccabi was intercepted by an opposition striker whose shot was parried onto the post by goalie Luke Melia but unfortunately the rebound fell to another Murdoch striker who blasted the ball into the net. The boys got some respite from the goal - in an ensuing fight, the boys kept their cool but a Murdoch player was given his marching orders. Though Murdoch were reduced to ten men and Firsts had several opportunities to equalise, they didn’t manage to peg one back and to their frustration the game ended 1-0.

The Reserves and Firsts are away next Sunday to Fremantle United, with games kicking off at 12:45 and 3pm respectively at Hilton Park in Beaconsfield.

 

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