Match Report Vs West Preston

CCFC 3️⃣ Drew West Preston 3️⃣

Jordan Connerton – 44,80,88 min ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Beautiful sunny skies greeted us and the day started with our juniors walking out with the seniors and setting the tone for a great footballing day.

We feel proud to have put on a an occasion and West Preston were also a big part of that. On reflection we should of had the game sewn up at half time but then coming back twice in the 2nd half is a point gained.

We handed a debut to Merks who after a frustrating pre season was finally fit after hamstring issues. Youngster Daniel also came into the starting 11 after we lost our captain to suspension and Ali to overseas.

We started the brighter and with Sean pulling the strings in the middle ably assisted by Merks, we had the momentum. Taner had our first great chance when a ball bouncing in the 6 yard box found him and with a goal at his mercy, found the keeper pulling off a miraculous save. Jordan then should of had our first after being set up beautifully and with the goalkeeper to face mishit his shot and again the keeper kept West Preston in it.

Cameron then pulled off s great save when a well taken shoot was parried beautifully and then as quick as a cat pouncing, he then made a double save to thwart the strikers opportunity.

Then in some comical officiating, Nick bearing down on goal was taken out by the keeper on the edge of the box with a tap in ensuring but to everyone’s amazement a free kick was awarded and no Red card shown. Sometimes it beggars belief what we witness but all you can do is hope you get the rub of the green later and just get on with it.

Another great move saw Nick played through by Loq ( who was having a great half) and his cut back found our skipper who took it first time from outside the box and it just went narrowly wide.

The 2nd half started poorly for us West Preston equalised. What we were saying earlier about getting the rub of the green again did not apply as the linesman failed to flag for off side which led to the goal. The defenders were not to blame but we cannot blame the officiating for a well taken 2nd goal when their striker turned our defence inside out and beautifully stroked it into the far corner.

Hard to believe we were 2-1 down, but full credit to the visitors who were dogged and kept on working.

Daniel then delivered a superb cross that found our main man but his volley just went over. It looked like being one of those days. With 10 minutes left we got the equaliser. Jordan placing it into the far post after being set up by Daniel. Game on and we had all the momentum from a tiring opposition.

But credit goes to our visitors as virtually from kick off they were awarded a penalty when our defence was caught sleeping in after a long ball was played. We have to defend better than that in this division as sides will make you pay. Up stepped the captain who scored and was not afraid to let our spectators know in some great banter between both clubs.

We cleared the benches and brought on Mike, Andrew and finally Serkan to see if we could get pinch a point. Merks was taken off after a sterling job in his first game in all of the pre season, Loq made way after playing an excellent first stanza for more attaching weapons and Nick who worked tirelessly getting a breather.

Sometimes you feel it won’t be your day and today the lads could of been forgiven to think that but Jordan does what he does best and blasted home to make it 3-3 and giving the keeper no chance.

He scores his first hat trick for the year from midfield and taken his tally to 5. He was not at his best today and with playing still requiring an operation as season end it’s a testament to the man that continues to amaze us all and glad he calls Australia and more importantly Craigieburn City home.

Today we had lots of emotions through the game coach Loche said. “West Preston are a good side who’ve been in these leagues for a while and it’s our first step up into State 4 but my players were magnificent today. I want to praise each member who put on the shirt today for the never die attitude. It was a great advertisement for local football and to see our juniors involved in the day shows the potential this club has in terms of community numbers and support. We are enjoying the challenges that confront us and with some more players back over the next 3 weeks, it gives me confidence that nobody is safe in the starting 11 and you have to perform to stay in the side and that makes for a strong club/culture”