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Hawks And Power Share Spoils

Report & Photos: Ian Judd
Jun 19, 2016
5 min read

Holland Park Hawks 2 (Smith 17' pen; Madle 59')

Peninsula Power 2 (Strickland 11'; Aoci 28') HT 1-2

Played at Whites Hill Reserve

A sublime finish from Holland Park Hawks Marek Madle earned a point for his side as they played out a 2-2 draw at home to Peninsula Power on Saturday evening.,

Hawks revealed a surprise debutant in Matt Ham, the former Brisbane Roar and North Queensland Fury keeper, drafted in for just one game to deputise for the absent Matt Carr who's currently overseas. But Ham's first notable contribution was picking the ball out from the back of the net on 11 minutes after Peninsula's Thomas Strickland fired his side ahead with a well placed shot from the edge of the box, after good up build up play from Charles Mendy, playing in a neat pass to Strickland who finished well. Power went close to doubling their lead two minutes later. Another clever ball into the box from Mendy saw Kado Aoci head narrowly over. The hosts themselves threatened to pull one back soon after but Jake Reesby was quick to act and prevent Manabu Ishimoto from sliding the ball in at his near post. Reesby was almost left red faced midway through the half though though when he spilled the ball from a what appeared a regulation save, with Madle lurking close by, but the Hawks striker wildly slashed his shot across goal and out for a throw. Holland Park did get back on level terms though, shortly before the half hour. Andrew MacAskill getting tripped as he got a leg in front of Jared Austin as the two battled for the ball. Dan Smith stepping up for the spot kick and despite Reesby guessing right and getting a hand to the ball, the Power keeper was unable to prevent it from finding the back of the net, giving Smith his fifth goal of the season. It only took the visitors two minutes though to get back in front. Josh Ahern, back at Power after his stint at Lions FC, turning provider with a lofted ball to the edge of the six yard box which Aoci raced on to. Despite Ham blocking Aoci's initial effort, the ball fell back to Aoci and his momentum was enough to bundle the ball past Ham for Power's second and his 8th Flight Centre Premier League goal. With the first half belonging to Power, Ben Ryan's side needed to improve and for the second half they did just that as they came out more determined. They should have levelled just minutes after the restart when Dean Briggs fed a ball through to Ishimoto but the Japanese front man blasted over when he should have found the target. Just before the hour mark, the hosts did get back on level terms. It came from a Power mistake in the middle of the park. Austin and Mitch Buhmann getting in a muddle, gifting Hawks possession which Gary Anderson pounced on, playing a probing ball to the far edge of the box where Madle held it up well, made room for himself with a neat turn past his opponent before curling in a superb strike in at the top right corner for the goal of the game. With both sides on level terms, the game became messy. Both sides guilty of giving the ball away cheaply but it was the home side that looked more likely to find a winner.

Peninsula's Eric Matheus Spiandorello and Holland Park's Manabu Ishimoto. Ishimoto was guilty of wasting two golden opportunities for the Hawks. With ten minutes remaining, Briggs forced a good save from Reesby with a low goal bound effort. Ishimoto was again guilty of not finding the target as the game headed into added time. A free kick in a dangerous area saw the ball played to the Hawks striker just inside the box but his radar was well off on the night as the ball sailed harmlessly over. One final attack had Hawks with yet another dangerous free kick. This time Reesby was called upon to deal with Jeff Woodward's shot and with that moment passing, Referee David Walsh called time and both sides had to settle for s share of the points. It's a result that ultimately does neither side any real favours, but on the night, it was a fair outcome for two sides that were well matched across the park. The stats too proving pretty even but with a highly congested league table that sees any side from second down to eighth in contention of making the top four, it wins that are now needed. One thing does however look certain now and that is the Flight Centre Premier League title is much further from both side's grasp. Power slip to third on the ladder after Mitchelton's Friday night success over Ipswich Knights, but just above Holland Park on goal difference, whilst the Hawks remain in fourth spot on goals scored over Rochedale. Next round sees Power face title favourites Lions FC at AJ Kelly Park. A win for Lions in that contest ought to all but see them claim the title. Holland Park face a tricky trip Albany Creek who, on their day, can match it with anyone. Ben Ryan's side will need to be at their best to maintain their push for a top four finish. FB Media Player Of The Match: #1 Jake Reesby - Peninsula Power

In a tight encounter such as this it's often tricky to pick out someone but you can often look at a defensive figure that made a difference and were it not for Reesby's efforts, including two good saves late on, Holland Park would have walked away with the points. Not only that, but he came desperately close to saving Smith's penalty, something few keepers will achieve against one of the league's dead ball specialists.

Praise must also be given to Holland Park's Mark Rasmussen who worked tirelessly throughout and did a good job on containing Aoci for most of the game. Charles Mendy also looked impressive, particularly in the first half but seemed to drift out of the game in the second term. Team line-ups Holland Park Hawks: Ham (gk), Anderson, Boyle, Briggs, Ishimoto, Kallis, MacCaskill, Madle, Rasmussen, Smith, Woodward. Subs: Owens (rgk), Aviles, Cabassi, Ntumba, James, Swithenbank.

Peninsula Power: Reesby (gk), Buhmann (yc), Ahern, Aoci, Austin, Bonotto, Fairgrieve, Mendy, Salin, Spaindorello (yc), Strickland. Subs: McKinnon (rgk), Feuerriegel, Kawakami (yc), Sauer, Porter. FB Media Match Stats. Possession: 1st Half 49% - 51% / 2nd Half 47% - 53% Overall Possession: 48% - 52% Shots on target: 4 - 2 Shots off target: 5 - 5