SHOALHAVEN Heads just held out against St Georges Basin to claim the two points with a 2-nil win on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Despite the win, Heads coach Ross Tasker was not 100 per cent happy with his team’s performance.
“We played alright in the back two-thirds of the park, but our front third was ordinary,” Tasker said.
Basin nearly caused a first half upset at Vic Zealand Oval when the teams were scoreless in the 43rd minute.
Basin’s reliable Tim Shields had a golden chance to put his team in front, but despite having plenty of time, he lifted his head and watched his shot go over the bar.
Then in the 44th minute mark the Basin keeper picked up a back pass, resulting in a free kick inside the box for Heads.
Heads’ Tim White took the kick and Brandon Perosh pulled of a great save, but the ball fell to Dane Tasker, who tapped the goal in to take the game to 1-nil at half-time.
“It was a good first half from the Basin boys as they matched the more fancied Heads team, keeping better possession of the ball and all recovering well in defence,” Basin coach Scott Aldridge said.
“It was a hard way to go into the break. But the main thing was the boys didn't drop their heads.”
Tasker said he had a simple yet clear message for his team.
“Be patient and don’t take them lightly,” he said.
Both teams started strongly in the second half, with Heads just unable to convert their chances.
Late in the game after a few corners to Heads, Hayden Lavender got his head to one, shooting the ball towards goal.
The ball ricocheted off a Basin player and into the net to take the score to 2-nil, where it remained until the full-time whistle.
Best on field for Heads were Alex Stokes, Ben Rawlinson and Rafael “Del Piero” Lomabard.
Tim shields, Jack Nile and Adam Brown worked hard all game for Basin.
“It was a good game from the whole team as they never go down without putting up a fight,” Aldridge said.
Next week Heads will face United whereas Basin will come up against Manyana.
Tasker said United will test his team, but was happy they managed a draw with Culburra on Saturday.
“It was good because it brings them back to the rest of the pack a bit. But it doesn’t surprise me. Any side can do anything to any side on their day,” he said.