CANNONS1_65762_07.jpg: Sam Dobrich scored to help the Casey Cannons women to a 2-1 win to claim the Amanda Ellett Memorial Trophy. 65762 Picture: Jarrod Potter
CASEY Cannons women’s State League 3 side defeated PEGS 2-1 to take home the Amanda Ellett Memorial Trophy.
It was the Cannons in a nail-biter who won the trophy, struck in honour of Amanda Ellett, who had served for both clubs before passing away.
The Cannons dominated from start to finish, but struggled to find a capable finisher.
PEGS had one forward thrust for the entire first half that resulted in a goal to put them ahead 1-0, but Sam Dobrich provided the square-up after a series of short corners.
The second half could have been an avalanche, but the Cannons couldn’t find the back of the net until a set up from Fiona Young found April Picton at the post to seal the 2-1 win, moments from the final whistle.
The men’s firsts got a wake-up call against a superbly drilled and fleet-footed Old Xaverians, dropping their first State League 3 game of the season, 4-1.
The Cannons were shell-shocked by some irresistible play from the Xavs and found themselves down 3-0 in quick time.
The second half saw a more even affair in the top-of-the-table clash. The Cannons, through coach Matt Guastella, Mark Dowell and Robbie Third, worked their way into the match and at times dominated the second half.
The Cannons struggled to put the ball in the back of the net, save for a crushing blow by Dave Shelton from a penalty corner.
The towering Xavs goalkeeper was the best player on the pitch, making several magnificent saves off both penalty corners and shots from general play.
The seconds escaped with a draw against the Old Xavs, thanks to a penalty corner blast from Heath Patterson to give them a share of the points, one minute from time.
In a game marred by six yellow cards – which at one point had the Xavs down to eight men on the pitch – the Cannons struggled to impact the score sheet. Xavs struck first, but the Cannons countered with one to Daniel Godfrey. Xavs scored a second time and if it wasn’t for the sturdy defence of hard nut Scott Daly it could have been more.
Eager to pinch a share of the points, the Cannons flocked forward and managed to secure a corner, with Patterson making no mistake to record a 2-2 draw.
Metro 3 South fielded its most potent side of the season and ran rings around second place St Bede’s, scooting off with a 3-0 win.
Several chances went begging in the first half, but the speedy Tommy Howard capitalised early in the second to make it 1-0.
One then became two as Steve Randall slotted a tomahawk past the keeper.
Going in for the kill, Josh Hondow, who was involved in much of the Cannons’ forward play, blazed a bullet past the keeper that somehow found its way through the back netting.
Pete Turner played a tagging role on Bede’s most dangerous player, limiting their ability to move forward with any purpose. The win solidified the Cannons place in the top four.
The fourths remain unbeaten, knocking off Old East Malvern 3-2. Jeff Gillespie and Nathan Broeren, were among the goals, but it was Dylan Triffitt who provided the highlight, scoring inside 16 seconds of the game.
The women’s Metro 1 South side couldn’t make it three in a row, falling to Hawthorn 2-1. Jo Shields was the scorer for a much improved seconds side. Merrilyn Kelly wound back the clock for the thirds, slotting a goal that – helped by a strike from youngster Monika Young – gave the Metro 4 South Side a 2-0 win over Old Collegians.
