YFC 1 – Westside Strikers 1

YFC drew over the weekend on a sunny day at Adanac Park against a strong, organized Westside Strikers side. The game started rather even, but eventually Westside were able to control most of the play and almost all the first half was spent on the YFC side of the field. There were few attacking forays for YFC, and when the ball did move forward it was a bit haphazard. However a great freekick from Antonio Rabelo met Dan Rankin’s head only to go agonizingly wide. YFC played a 4-4-2 for the duration of the match, sticking with the winning formula from last week but the boys couldn’t seem to get anything going. The half ended 0-0 with the possession tilted towards Westside and perhaps the better chances too.

Ten or so minutes into the second half saw Westside break through with a well taken goal when their forward got in one on one with our last man and beat Sherman Lai low to the right. This forced YFC to chase the game, which has led to some decent play in recent weeks. A gilt edged opportunity presented itself half-way through the second half where Nima Farahmand broke away down the left wing. He made his way into the box and a few passes too many eventually led to Martin Sosa faking out his mark only to shoot into the keeper’s arms from 8 yards.  This was by far the best chance of the match and given the work YFC had to put in just to get the few chances they’d had, it felt as though the game was going to end in defeat. A freekick late in the match changed that however, with Antonio Rabelo stepping up to lob a long ball just inside the far post and under the crossbar. Westside’s keeper crossed a few wires it seemed and flailed at the ball as it went through his arms, while perhaps worrying about who was coming flying in to meet the freekick. The match ended shortly after in a deserved draw.

Man of the match went to Jackson Castellanos whose tireless play in central midfield resulted in many balls won and efficient build up play.