Match Day Six
Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Gordy Dudley 2 – Steve Dettre 3

The night’s opening game saw one of the competition’s most experienced players up against one of its least experienced. But the improving overall quality meant that this was to be no blowout. The opening stages weren’t positive for Gordy and by the 10 minute mark, Steve had buried two well worked chances and was looking very comfortable. Gordy, however, refused to be overwhelmed and, on a foray forward, found a little bit of space on the left of Steve’s defense. His shot from a fair range was perfect, meaning it was game on by the half time break. Steve continued to control much of the play in the second half, but Gordy’s confidence had grown and so things were a little more even. Midway through the half, Steve restored the 2 goal buffer that his possession deserved. With a couple of minutes remaining, though, Gordy again found a small hole to expose and finished well, giving him a glimmer of hope. Steve, however, was able to use his experience to boss possession and crowd the ball when in defense for the final stages, holding on to his lead. An exciting game which should give Gordy much hope for the future.

Eliot Kennedy 2 – Adrian Elmer 0

Two players who were desperate for the win to give them a chance of taking out the league went at each other in the second game. Things started calmly enough but Eliot took the lead a few minutes in after some lax defending by Adrian, conceding his first goal of the league. From here, Eliot completely dominated possession and never let up his attack. However, Adrian had learned from his earlier mistake and defended calmly, not offering any real clear cut chances. This was not enough to stop Eliot peppering his goals, of course, and a string of corners was testament to Eliot’s continued attempts and Adrian’s ability to get a defender between the ball and goal. In one of his few runs forward, on the stroke of half time, Adrian was unlucky to push his shot on a moving ball just wide in his best chance of the game. The second half continued much as the first, with Eliot completely dominating possession without carving out any clear cut chances. More corners and goalkeeping saves ensued, Adrian seeming comfortable in holding out. With five to go, however, Eliot finally broke through again, ironically with one of his more innocuous attempts on goal, which Adrian’s ‘keeper touched twice in an attempt to keep out before the spin on the ball took it into the back of the net. Eliot was able to settle on his lead, then, and had little trouble keeping Adrian out as Adrian pushed forward for the final few minutes.

Steve Dettre 1 – Eliot Kennedy 3

With Eliot’s earlier result putting him in prime position, both players knew the result of this game could go a long way to deciding the league winner and so the game was played with appropriate intensity. Much of the game took place in the middle two quarters of the pitch with neither able to wrestle control of the match from the other. And by half time, the scoreline reflected this evenness with each player having scored a goal from the relatively few chances they each had. A highlight was the half chances that each player was able to turn into actual shots on goal through their precise flicking skills. The second half remained a tense affair, though Eliot began to exert a small level of dominance. 5 minutes in and he regained the lead he had established earlier with a well taken finish. As Steve pressed, the game opened up and both players were able to carve out some more chances. It was Eliot who was able to make these count more and he scored his 3rd with a few minutes remaining. Steve continued to push and the tension never really left the game until the final whistle.

With the league really taking shape now, Eliot is in prime position with just two games to play on the final day and his destiny in his own hands. Adrian, Steve Dettre and Raffaele will need him to slip up, as well as take good results in their games against each other if they are to have any chance. Gordy will head into his final few matches keen to capitalise on his swiftly improving game to take more points. Steve Dettre will play out his allotted games in a marathon next week while Rob and Steve Retalic will begin to make up their games in the next couple of weeks to try and close the gap on those ahead.