Altona East Phoenix v Fawkner Blues, Paisley Park

Off to Altona East today for the game against Fawkner. Will blog from about 2.30. Fawkner is top of the table and Phoenix needs to rise.

Altona crest

Arrived in time to see Altona reserves equalize 3-3. Coach Jim Georgakakis made the point that the shortest man on the field scored with his head. 

Reserves coach, Jim Georgakakis, looking pensive with the score at 3-3.

15 mins to go. Game could go either way.

4-3 fawkner after good save by keeper one on one. Follow up slammed into net.

Another good save by Altona keeper.

Deflection for Altona corner.

All over. Two minutes early according to unhappy Altona coach.

Popped into the clubrooms before the main game for a memorabilia check. A number of things of interest but this has to take the cake!

2003 Least Worst Cup Finalists!! Still scratching my head over this one.

Main game about to start.

The first time I've seen a female referee at a senior men's game.

3.01. Game underway. Altona into the wind.

Altona pushing well. Some discussion as to whether Fawkner is playing in cyan. I think they are. Azure is the counter claim.

You be the judge: cyan or azure?

3.09. Good period of pressing for the cyanazzuris.

3.15.  Fawkner corner. Put behind for another. Too long. Goalkick.

3.21. Altona corner. Bad fawkner tackle outside area. Freekick and yellow. Another yellow for dissent. Good refereeing.

3.22. Good kick dipping onto roof of net.

3.23. Altona long ball. Fawkner long ball. Hmmm.

3.26. Injury. Bourakis off. Replaced by Burnett.

3.28.  Dangerous Fawkner long ball put behind for corner. Headed off the post.

3.30. Another Fawkner corner. headed clear.

3.31. Heavy clash in midfield. Free kick to fawkner. Period of dominance for Fawkner .

3.34. Counter attack by Altona easily defused.

3.35. Altona yellow. Ref stands up to coach and assistant. Good on her.

3.36. Good work by Fawkner forward. Awful shot.

Fawkner dominating but no sense of penetration and too much long ball.

3.38. Fawkner Corner. Goalmouth scramble. Well gathered by keeper in the end.

3.39. Altona counter. Defused.

3.40. Poor decision by by Altona forward after good lead up work on left. Fawkner counter attack looking dangerous.

3.43. Fawkner free kick near left corner. Cleared.

3.44. Fawkner left back has it over Altona winger meletis. He needs to lift because he looks the player most likely to have an impact up front.

3.46. Half time. 0-0.

Fawkner dominated but lacked penetration. Altona has something to give this game but needs to lift. Reminds me of the Clifton hill game.

4.00. 2nd half underway.

4.02. Good attack by Altona. Goal kick given but crowd unhappy.

Game seems to be opening up with both teams looking more threatening.

4.06 Fawkner free kick on right. Headed over.

4.09. Gwyther for Altona. Strong run under pressure from centre back. Gets off good shot.

4.10. Fawkner shot wide to right.

4.11. Good period of pressure from Altona.

4.12. Fawkner attack down right. Shot over and to the right. Feels like a goal is coming.

4.14. Another disputed free kick to Fawkner 30 out. Cleared.

4.19. Interception by Fawkner #14. Fouled outside area. Kick booted clear.

4.21. Yellow to Altona. Another foul on #14.

4.22. No 14 in thick of things. Getting fouled and fouling in equal measure. Goes in hard for a small player.

Fawkner's #14. Definitely working his way into man of the match calculations.

4.29. Altona Crowd furious at failure to give yellow.

No. 14 replaced! So much for my judgement. Must have run out of puff.

4.30. End to end stuff now. Fawkner cross. Keeper fouled.

4.33. Good attack by Altona. Keeper holds cross well.

4.34. Good shot by Fawkner forward off outside of boot. Good save.

4.35. Good period for Fawkner.

4.37. Bizarre moment! Referee indisposed and leaves field. Assistant takes over. Referee ran out of breath. A shame because she was having a good game (occasional over-officiousness aside) and to leave the field with 8 mintes remaining is not a good look. Will try to follow up.

4.38. Good counter by Altona. Forced for corner.

4.39. Foul outside of area. Altona free kick. Banged into wall and cleared.

4.41. Good pressure by Altona. Crowd erupting!

4.43. Two to go. Looks unlikely but game deserves a goal.

4.44. Fawkner player lucky not to go. Hands to face. Replacement ref probably makes right decision.

4.46. Brave keeping from fawkner at feet of Altona striker Franck la Bakohler.

4.47. Fawkner nearly score.

4.48. Altona attacking in left corner.

4.49. Miracle goal!! 94th minute. Gwyther on left blasts in from very tight angle. Celebrations intense. Altona 1-0.

4.50. Full time crowd erupts again.

Good second half. Either side could have won it. Frantic ending very enjoyable. Feel a bit for the Fawkner players who probably deserved to leave with something today.

A devastated Fawkner keeper trudges from the field at the end of the match. He had a good game and can't be blamed for the goal. Someone should tell him though that a hot pink strip and red hair don't work together!

Ladder After Round 4

POS		TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1		Moreland City SC	4	3	1	0	11	3	8	10
2		Fawkner Blues FC	4	3	0	1	7	3	4	9
3		Brunswick City SC	4	2	1	1	9	6	3	7
4		Altona East Phoenix SC	4	2	1	1	4	6	-2	7
5		FC Clifton Hill	4	1	2	1	7	7	0	5
6		La Trobe University SC	4	1	2	1	4	5	-1	5
7		Preston Lions FC	4	1	2	1	6	8	-2	5
8		Keilor Park SC	4	1	1	2	8	6	2	4
9		Westgate FC	3	1	1	1	6	6	0	4
10		Banyule City SC	3	1	1	1	4	6	-2	4
11		Altona City SC	4	1	1	2	2	9	-7	4
12		Ballarat Red Devils SC	4	0	1	3	5	8	-3	1