Bobcats edge out United

05 May, 2010 04:00 AM
NNSWF Solo Cup

Maclean 2

Port United 1

THE Settlers Inn Port United Premier League squad’s Solo Cup campaign ended at the hands of the Maclean Bobcats on Saturday.

Maclean was the reigning North Coast premiers and undefeated in 2010, so United had no doubt it would be a tough game, especially after the late withdrawal of Adam Breust to join four others already unavailable from the team.

Matt Denham was brought in for his first fixture since suffering a broken wrist, along with Brodie Collins who returned from injury, youngster Gerard Howard, new signing Ewan Fraser and the experienced Matt Lacey, Neil Bruns, Simon Filipek and Peter Goonan to fill the void.

Despite a valiant effort, United was beaten 2-1 and so bows out of the $10,000 state-wide competition.

United almost got off to the perfect start when, after only three minutes, Ryan Moon broke free to put a shot on goal that forced a diving save from the Maclean keeper, who knocked the ball just wide of the post.

But, almost immediately, some lazy marking by United saw a ball slipped between defenders for the home side striker to run through and slide it past Symons for a 1-0 lead.

Just a few minutes later, United scored a bizarre goal when a long kick from Symons was allowed to bounce on the hard surface.

A mix-up between the Maclean defender and keeper saw the ball bounce over the keeper’s head, leaving Moon a simple tap in to level up at 1-all.

Maclean had the better of possession and field position for the half but neither keeper was too troubled and the teams went to the break locked together.

Denham was replaced at the break by Fraser, with Collins stepping in for Goonan and Bruns moving into Howard’s position.

But, it was Maclean that was hungrier for the result and, when United allowed another bouncing ball on the rock hard surface, they were punished.

The Bobcats’ attacker ran on to the free ball and placed it across goal for a far post tap in – and a 2-1 advantage.

United was their own worst enemy as the final pass from their build-up broke down and they turned possession over too easily.

In an effort to look for the equaliser, the Port side pushed players forward sacrificing safety at the back.

Maclean exploited this and played long balls to their quick strikers at every chance and only good keeping from Symons kept United in the game.

With 10 minutes remaining, United was down to 10 men when Moon had to be carried off with a serious ankle injury.

However, in this period, Maclean sat deep in their half and allowed the visitors several near chances.

With a couple of minutes on the clock, Brodie Collins lined up a free kick from 25m out that beat the wall and keeper but sailed over the crossbar by a whisker.

In the end, the better team on the day won but the effort from all the squad could not be questioned.

United now focuses its attention on this weekend’s derby, in the Football Mid-North Coast Premier League, against Port FC at Dixie Park.http://www.portnews.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/bobcats-edge-out-united/1820562.aspx?storypage=0