Starting teams: Breakers: Swancott, McManus, Pryce, Austin, Edwards, Ritchie, Ironside, West, Wilson, Zane,Tollenaare; Wolves: Brodbeck, Ceccoli, Huxley, Stanton, Connolly, Souris, Surjan, Sevin, Horsley, Chipperfield, Perinich
A hot day was being turned by a glorious sunset into a balmy night by the time the teams took the field. Breakers fans had just had their first smile for ages when the NYL team whipped a ten man Wolves team 8-1. Was this a good or bad omen? We were all dismayed when the distinctive strut of Referee Brad McKay revealed itself. What did we do to deserve this turkey twice in one month.
The game opened with some fast interpassing by the Wolves and by 5 mins both teams had had their first chance with Perinich at one end missing a sitter and Tollenaare almost grazing the right upright with Brodbeck beaten. Some more pressure from the Breakers with Zane holding the ball up and a fine looking Tollenaare playing off him. Alas the play was quickly turned over by the Wolves tough as teak defence and Perinich was played on, rounded Swancott and thank you! Within 8 mins Surjan beat Swancott with a fine long free kick which showed Swancott as having somewhat less the reach of Kalac and the defence somewhat less of the wall building skills of AdCity. Strange then that for the rest of the half the Breakers were ahead on points with a well taken poached goal by Ironside, and three more chances, two to Tollenaare. One a beatifully executed volley which cannoned of the cross bar with Brodbeck at sea.
The second half promised a contest but both teams dropped into low gear for 40 mins and the Rowdies started singing the irreverent and irrelevant songs they reserve for when they are bored. Brodbeck punched clear several threatening crosses and Swancott was underemployed. The Breakers midfield dissappeared and the forwards dropped back to pick up. The Wolves for their part were losing their way forward and not exploiting that blistering pace of theirs. Brad McKay decded that he was the entertainment and became a complete prat. The last 8 mins saw a little sparkle as the Breakers tried hard to breach Brodbeck's area.
A handy win and 3 points for the Wolves taking them (at least for now) to 3rd. For the Breakers it extended out stretch without a win to a record 15 games. So much for the pre-season promise. Tollenaare looked a likely lad in the first half and the rest of the team tried hard - not enough I am afraid. Lots of rumours around the fans, odd board decisions, and some unhappy people in Newcastle. These 140km drives back seem to get longer after each loss!
Best: NTB Tollenaare, West, Zane. Wolves: Chipperfield, Surjan, Connolly.