The Brisbane Strikers last night maintained their remarkable home record and did a season "double" on NSL pacesetters South Melbourne winning a tightly fought contest 1-0.
After 9 matches at the revamped Perry Park, the Strikers are still unbeaten recording 6 priceless victories and 3 draws, scoring 14 goals in the process and conceding just 6. If the Strikers can defeat "new boys" Adelaide United this coming Wednesday then a top six finals position looks a distinct reality.
Playing into a slight breeze in the first half, the home side surprisingly had the better of early exchanges, against it must be said, a rather subdued and slightly unadventurous South Melbourne side. Despite that however the visitors were able to conjure a couple of early opportunities, the best of which should have put them one goal up. A beautifully curled cross from the right found the head of Scott Tunbridge, about ten yards out, but he somehow conspired to completely miss the target when it seemed much easier for him to score.
As the half wore on though the home side created some excellent opportunities for itself. If Tunbridge should have scored earlier then the opportunity missed by Royce Brownlie was even more glaring in the wastefulness stakes. Some consistent pressure from the Strikers midfield resulted in Louis Brain finding space on the right to supply an unerringly accurate cross to a totally unmarked Brownlie, who unbelievably headed it straight into the ground and over the upright with the goal gaping. In his defence though the ball had probably held up in the wind causing him to lunge for it rather than to send it goalward. In hindsight though the ball could have been controlled and slotted home, though it's always easier in the stands!
2 more excellent chances (from right sided crosses) fell to the head of the busy Matt Mackay, the first of which was parried away by maligned keeper Eugene Galekovic. The second though he should have done better with, but was only able to sky it high over the upright, though admittedly on the run.
Sandwiched somewhere within this action, in the 33rd minute was perhaps the turning point of the match and disaster for the visitors. Defender Steve Laurie stupidly retaliated after a seemingly innocuous challenge with Strikers skipper Peter Grierson. Grierson appeared to win the exchange but found himself on the receiving end of a "Beckham like" back lifted leg which appeared to strike him in the buttocks region. Referee Mark Shiels heeded the slight protestation of the skipper and surprisingly had no hesitation in giving Laurie his marching orders to the delight of the said 3400 in attendance. Laurie trudged off, head bowed like a chastised schoolboy to the somewhat predictable, though humorous chorus of "cheerio,cheerio, cheerio". To their credit though "South" pushed forward for the remainder of the half and fashioned a super chance, which fell to Michael Curcija, who appeared to have slotted the ball home. To the relief of the home supporters though it had only permeated the side netting!
As half time approached some Strikers fans pondered the difficulty of the task at hand. South Melbourne up to now had not been overly inspiring in an attacking sense, more intent perhaps on not conceding. Now they were a man down and a somewhat blunt Strikers attack would have to try and puncture a hole in what would probably be an even more resilient defence. During the break however the Strikers faithful could take comfort in the fact that we were now playing with the breeze, with an extra man (under the tutelage of master tactician Trani) and most importantly playing in the southerly direction of the vocal throng, who have surely played a part in the amazing statistic of 12 goals out of 13 home goals scored in their vicinity.
The second half turned out much as expected then with the home side mainly dominating possession but struggling to make any inroads into the South Melbourne rear guard. If the "extra man" advantage was apparent it was on the right, but a largely unimpressive Steve Fitzsimmons failed to capitalise on any opportunity that came his way. In fact the best chances for the home side appeared to come from the left where Shane Steffanutto (in probably his penultimate match for the Strikers) provided some incisive interchanges with Matt Mackay which resulted in some handy crosses, some of which resulted in corners.
An early 2nd half highlight for the vocal supporters was the sight of "old boy" Paul Trimboli (older than that woman from Japan) and Con "The convict" Boutsianis warming up on "our" touchline. Why the opposing coach Stuart Munro would permit this to happen kind of defies logic, as the 2 stalwarts were always likely to cop some severe "ribbing". And they did of course, though to their credit took it well. Trimboli in fact seemed to enjoy it although it was more in bemusement (what woman from Japan?) than from amusement, one feels.
If the subs got more abuse than was perhaps deserved, then the linesman on the same touchline didn't get nearly enough. He was truly awful all night (as he has been in past games). Most of his glaring errors resulted in lost possession for the home side but ironically it was on of these glaring gaffs that turned the game in our favour. An obvious rebound off a Strikers player should have resulted in a goal kick but unbelievably, instead we were given a corner. New boy Chris Scuderi, just on in his first game as substitute was willing to take it, but was instead ushered away by a determined looking (does he ever look any different) Louis Brain. He proceeed to deliver a delicious looking right footed outswinger which perfectly picked out the head of Skipper Peter Grierson who looped his header goalward and over the flailing hands of keeper "Eugene" who must have been a foot or 2 off his line. 1-0 in the 79th minute and the game now seemed as good as over.
And it was, but not before perhaps the moment of the match (other than the goal), when some good Strikers attack led to a rebound falling to Josh Rose, with his back to goal. Instinctively he turned on a dime and hit a ferocious left foot thunderbolt toward goal, only to be denied by a superb full length save by the impressive Galekovic.
Despite some late anxious moments provided by the talented Boutsianis and a guilt edged chance to his comrade Trimboli, the home side came out on top.
And make no mistake, this was an important game for our underrated, overachievers, one which should go a long way to ensuring a bit of finals glory, when the regular season comes to a close. A somewhat dour contest, but probably a deserved win for the home side, who at the very least, showed more endeavour.