Snakes Bite Back To Keep Title Hopes Alive
Caboolture 4 (Bargh 29'; Sheumack 59'; Heaney 67'pen; McEvoy 73') St George Willawong 1 (Grecl 11') HT 1-1 Played at: Grants Road Sporting Complex
A dominant second half display from Caboolture saw them reap revenge on title rivals St George Willawong's early season decisive win over them as well as close the gap to keep them in the hunt for the Capital League 3 title and promotion. David Grecl's 11th minute opener for the visitors silenced the large home crowd as St George looked the better side in the opening period of this top of the table clash. The ever impressive Anthony Sarramea putting his body on the line to turn provider for Grecl who fired past Caboolture keeper Jarad Brownlie as the Saints looked to open up an 11 point gap at the top of the table. The hosts did have the ball in the back of the net on 24 minutes when former Peninsula Power midfielder James Fairgrieve tapped the ball in from a free kick, but he was adjudged offside. The Snakes did however, narrowly beat the offside trap 5 minutes later when speedy winger Lewis Bargh latched onto Steve Cleary's defence splitting ball, firing low across Saints keeper Marko Petrovic into the bottom corner. On first inspection there was a suspicion Bargh had strayed offside but the assistant's flag stayed down and the home side were on level terms. The visitors went close to retaking the lead late in the half with David Weedy's long range effort striking the upright and going out of play. Caboolture coach Nathan Walker's half time chat had the desired effect as the hosts took control of the second half from the outset but wasted a couple of early chances. Sam Heaney skying one effort over from close range and Paul Arnison's free kick, a short while after, needing the intervention of Petrovic to tip it onto the post and away. On the hour mark the Snakes did finally take the lead, and it was another Arnison free kick that was St George's undoing with fellow centre back Mitch Sheumack rising highest to lob a header over Petrovic and into the back of the net. Midway through the half and the Snakes extended their lead from the penalty spot after Alex Rados had felled Bargh, with Heaney making amends for his earlier miss by dispatching the spot kick beyond the outstretched arms of Petrovic who had guessed the right way but was unable to reach it. Less than 10 minutes later and Caboolture all but wrapped up the points when former Flight Centre Premier League player Michael McEvoy, who'd recently joined Caboolture from Albany Creek, scored his first goal for the club following a corner variation that found him at the back post. His initial attempt saved well by Petrovic but McEvoy reacted quickest to smash home the rebound and seal the points. The hosts had the ball in the back of the net again 2 minutes later but Heaney was denied by another offside flag from the assistant referee to keep the score as it was. With time running out, the visitors were fortunate not to concede another goal late on. Arnison delivering another precise free kick into the box that found substitute Keegan Barnett after Petrovic had steered the the ball away, but Barnett blazed his shot over from six yards out when he looked destined he'd score. The result reduces the gap St George have on the rest of the pack. In truth, they rarely looked like scoring in the second half until the damage had already been done. Sarramea starring again for the Saints with his skill and poise on the ball, but on this occasion the rest of the side were guilty of too many errors as Grants Road Sporting Complex proves to be an unhappy hunting ground for them. Cabbolture to their credit, used their home pitch to their advantage, playing the width and using the larger space wisely. Having played the majority of their games away this season, it will prove to be hard for those visiting sides at this venue in the rounds to come with Caboolture having now scored 17 times in their three home games in the last month. The Saints will go away and regroup as they face AC Carina in the next round, a game that may define their season or bring them back to the chasing pack.
Coaches Remarks:
Nathan Walker - Caboolture: "It was scrappy at the start. Coming to our place was obviously a bigger pitch for them and we knew we'd have more room and had to be patient. We got back to the drawing board and stuck with our plan in the second half and stuck to it and kicked on from there."
Bojan Vilic - St George Willawong: "It was a tight game. 4-1 is not a good score for us although we conceded three goals in the second half from set pieces which pretty much killed the game for us. We wish Caboolture all the best and we must move on from here"
FB Media Player of the Match: Paul Arnison - Caboolture.
The veteran defender ran the Caboolture back line to precision and also delivered balls in from set pieces that led to a couple of his side's goals.
Team Line-ups:
Caboolture: Brownlie (gk), Arnison, Bargh, Cleary, Fairgrieve, Heaney, Henderson, Johnston, McEvoy, Sheumack, Worthington.
Sub: Baxter (rgk), Jenkins, Maticic, Barnett, Krohn.
St George Willawong: Petrovic (gk), Burke, Grecl, Kataric, Radmilovic, Rados, Sarramea, Skavo, Stojcic. Da., Stojcic. Di., Weedy.
Subs: Dordic (rgk), Azdi, Belden, Graovac, Hersi. Referee: Phillip Tracey
