Summary: South’s short trip to J.L. Murphy reserve has ended in a 1-1 draw with their local rivals, Port Melbourne. Both teams possessed the attacking capabilities, but were unable to funnel their energy into anything productive.
After three matches, both Port and South found themselves in similar positions; nothing spectacular to report so far, but teams that could grind out scrappy results if need be. Both teams only have one win, both against Eastern Lions. A late goal for Francesco Stella against the Melbourne Knights in round 1 was the closest the home side had been to a loss this season, but with three draws, not necessarily exuding confidence. South’s unsettled start is far more frustrating to describe, but hardly as destructive as the starts to previous seasons.
From the beginning of the match, South’s confidence in attack did not counter their sloppy play. Runs up the middle were frequently stifled by poor touches, poor passes, and poor crosses. Within their questionable antics, one touch of brilliance was found in the 10th minute. Amadu Koroma’s throw in up the left flank finds its way to the feet of Gerrie Sylaidos, whose delectable run sees him skip past a few Port defenders before sending off a powerful shot that bends past the keeper. Goals within the NPL can look questionable at times, but this was a play of true quality, and maybe even a glimpse at Sylaidos’ true potential, when properly utilised.
Sylaidos’ skills temporarily blunted the sloppiness of our plays, and an increase in pressure did instil confidence that another goal may be on the way. Another through ball from Chris Irwin a few minutes later is inches away from a Sawyer tap in, but in the last second is redirected by the toe of a Port defender. Around this time the home team woke up, and displayed a buildup play far stronger in control than South’s. They looked a real threat when they got the ball into their attacking half, and the presence of ex-South talisman Milos Lujic seemed to unnerve the defence on multiple occasions.
Of our defence, Jake Marshall would have a hand to play in Port’s equaliser, clumsily clearing a ball into the hand of Lirim Elmazi. Yuta Konagaya sends Pierce Clark the wrong way, and the game shifts in tone. An onslaught of Port attacks ensue, many of which South escape with the skin of their teeth. A few wide tap-ins, an alleged handball, a header off the post and a point blank save from Clark all must be dealt with, or at least observed with the hope of a favourable outcome. The Port dominance coincided with the early substitution of Chris Irwin, who found himself bleeding from the head after a collision in the late stages of the first half. Like the substitution of Sylaidos last match, a premature ending to a pillar of the midfield stifled our upcoming plays, and, if not for his hold up play, starved Harrison Sawyer of possession.
The scrappiness of play continued in the second half, though end-to-end action at least provided some entertainment. Neither squad possessed the attacking quality to seal the game. The introduction of Zac Bates in the later stages did little to correct our crossing or passing abilities, while Port’s plays were slower, but looked more threatening. A dangerous ball that’s blasted over the defence is nearly lobbed over Clark by an oncoming Port attacker, but, for the most part, the introduction of Elmazi has provided the South defence with a newfound stability. Our uninspiring performance continued, with a gap between the two halves of the pitch only increasing until the final whistle was blown.
This game, for the most part, was a throwaway, or at least one where nothing particularly new was learnt. To “feed the bear”, as Chris Irwin wrote in response to Sawyer’s hat-trick against Eastern Lions, oncoming crosses must be concise and consistent. No other wingers provide the creativity and vision of Sylaidos and Irwin, and to take them off unnecessarily stifles creativity in the attacking half. Playing with Koroma and Norton higher up the pitch hasn’t been disastrous, with Folan, Marshall and Elmazi making a solid back three, but without accuracy their build-up plays lead to nothing. Hopefully a trip to the bottom of the table will bring with it another convincing win, as South face Altona Magic next round.
Notable players: Gerrie Sylaidos, Lirim Elmazi
South Melbourne FC: 1
Port Melbourne Sharks SC: 1
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