Creek Tame Bulldogs With Strong Second Half Showing
Albany Creek 5 (Campbell 7', 90+1'; Arop 35', 70'; McEvoy 79')
Capalaba Bulldogs 1 (Watt 3') HT 2-1
Played at Wolter Park
A double each to Riley Campbell and Chom Arop gave Albany Creek a comfortable 5-1 victory over Capalaba at a soggy Wolter Park on Saturday night, and in the process providing them with a slim chance of still making the top four come finals time. Slippery conditions greeted the two sides as they both went in search of a victory that could see them play finals come September, and the conditions contributed to the opener when Sam Watt pounced on to the ball on the edge of the six yard box after Creek keeper Ariayee Ravesh misjudged it when it held up in the mud. Watt prodding the ball home on 3 minutes as Capalaba looked to continue where they left off from last week's success over Peninsula Power. The lead was short-lived though. Riley Campbell skipping past a challenge and cooly firing the ball high into the back of the net despite Bulldogs' keeper Sam Chandler getting fingers to the ball. Ariayee Ravesh did well to block Ahamad Azzawi from adding to his season's tally when the Japanese striker had a one on one chance on the quarter hour mark as the Bulldogs looked the more likely to score in the opening period.
Midway through the half the visitors had a good claim for a penalty when Watt appeared to be be brought down just outside the six yard box, but Referee Lara Lee was swift to wave any appeals and there was little in the way of appeal from Watt himself. With the half entering it's final stages, Creek took the lead. A free kick floated into the box saw the Bulldogs switch off momentarily, allowing lanky striker Chom Arop to head home unmarked.
Capalaba's Golden Boot striker Ahamad Azzawi failed to add to his season tally at Wolter Park.
The second half saw a more determined Creek as they dominated proceedings. Campbell forced a good save from Chandler shortly after the restart as pressure started to mount on the visitors and a short time later, Arop almost struck again from a free kick to the back post, but his effort struck the upright before the offside flag was raised to provide the Bulldogs a breathing space. Eventually Creek's pressure reaped reward with 20 minutes left and it was the towering presence of Arop that was again Capalaba's undoing when he managed to get his head to a cross that looked to deflect off Joseph Fields head before beating Chandler as the ball bobbled over the line. The visitors best chance of a reply in the half fell to David Roby who's powerful effort cannoned off the post. The hosts killed the game off with less than a quarter of an hour remaining, with the goal of the game coming from a defensive combination. Captain Adam Piddick picking the ball up near the Bulldogs goal line before laying it back to fellow centre back Michael McEvoy who hit a bullet of a strike from around 25 yards out that burst the back of the net for his first goal of the season, in just his second appearance for Creek since signing from North Pine. Arop went close to claiming his hat trick moments later, but this time Chandler was equal to the task, tipping the ball around the post. The icing on the cake came just inside added time. Josh Hall sliding the ball across into the path of Campbell who made no mistake from 10 yards out as Creek rounded out an impressive display. It was a deserved victory for the hosts, in particular with a second half performance that reduced their opponents to just a couple of chances in the entire half and nullifying the presence of golden boot leader Ahamad Azzawi, who looked a forlorn lone figure. The win sees Creek move on to 24 points on the Flight Centre Premier League ladder, although they remain in 9th spot in a highly congested race for the top four. Depsite the win, they will need the sides above them to capitulate as time is running out with just four rounds remaining and a 4 point gap to make up. They also face a tough challenge next week with Peninsula Power the visitors to Wolter Park and a tough run-in to follow. Wolter Park is proving to be an unhappy hunting ground for Capalaba but despite the heavy defeat, they still have a realistic chance of making the top four with a run-in that includes a crucial home game against Logan FC next week followed by a tough trip to Easts the following week. If they can pick up the required points in those two games, they should then go on with the job with Ipswich Knights and UQFC their final two games of the season.
FB Media Player Of The Match: #4 Riley Campbell - Albany Creek
The Creek striker looked comfortable on the ball whenever he received it and caused the Bulldogs constant problems throughout the night. He ought to have netted a hat trick had he converted a couple of golden opportunities but can be forgiven considering the conditions.
Team line-ups
Albany Creek: Ariayee Ravesh (gk), Arop (Ismail 84'), Campbell, Fujimoto, Hall, McEvoy, Morris, Piddick, Saito, Sorbello (Mehnat-Gir 46'), Thompson (Vesey 32'). Subs: Gwynne-Jones, Ismail, Mehnat-Gir, Millar, Vesey. Capalaba Bulldogs: Chandler (gk), Azzawi (Broomham 89'), Coulson, Dunn, Fields, Fisher, Roby, Smith, Thompson, Watt (Fellows 68'), Wemyss. Subs: Jones (rgk), Fellows, Broomham, Watson.
FB Media Match Stats.
Possession: 1st Half 46% - 54% / 2nd Half 59% - 41%
Overall Possession: 53% - 47%
Shots on target: 10 - 3
Shots off target: 8 - 3
Penalties 0 - 0
Free kicks: 11 - 11
Offside: 2 - 1
Corners: 4 - 6
Yellow Cards: 2 - 1
Red Cards: 0 - 0 Referee: Lara Lee
