Referee: Greg Leverton 6/10 (1 red card C Zane - kicking the ball away when caught 'offside' & then for overcelebrating his goal (2 yellows), plus 5 other yellow cards. A few dubious offsides but otherwise a passable display. Crowd: 2,119 (poor but given the wind, lightning, and storm clouds - OK) Teams starting: NTB: Brad Swancott, Matt Austin, Shane Pryce (c), Todd McManus, Doug West, Glen Sprod, Rob Ironside, Leo Langone, Clayton Zane, Reece Tollenaere. SU: Kalac, Vrkic, Hooker, *Munro, Bennett, *Rudan, Phillips, Bilokapic, *Burns, Bosevski, Saad.
A very hot day gave way to a southerly change which brough dark clouds, lightning, and a strong wind. The rain however stayed out to sea. After the Perth win we had hoped for perfect spectator conditions to bring Newcastle's knowledgable fans back - a shame for they missed a treat.
Sydney United came minus Kupresak, Plesa, and Barrett but they still have depth* enough to carry on and put 4 fringe Socceroos on the park. In round 6 the Breakers had outplayed SU for periods of the 2nd half so with their new infusion of Tollenaere and Langone, and an away win in Perth, in front of a vocal core Rowdie group at the cemetary end, they didn't need to feel overawed. They weren't.
The first half began with pressure from the home side, and at 2mins Zane was well up but Pryce couldn't steer the resultant corner on goal. Then Langone places a great ball to Zane who pushes it to Bennett but the resurrected striker can't get a clear shot. SU get down the other end but Pryce, sweeping in front of the back two, blocks the attack. Shades of things to come - a Yellow for Mark Rudan on Jason Bennett and then for Langone studs up on Bilokapic. At 20 mins the Breakers are starting to push SU back to the southern end despite the wind, and ex Cosmos Leo Langone and Doug West hit up a partnerrship down the right which goes on to tear SU apart for most of the match and makes Hooker look ordinary. Langone to West, who centers dangerously but the wind deflects it. Saad gets into NTB half and lets fly a 35m strike which the wind carries over the crossbar. The next 5 mins sees some see-sawing and then from a Zane cross Langone misses off a Tollenaere lay off. Down the other end at 24 mins a free kick outside the box after a possible 'dive' sees the ball played short to Marcus Phillips who is free and he nicely steers the ball with the outside of his foot just inside Swancott's left hand post. 0-1 This is SU best period with them holding psssession and interpassing well. Why they don't deliver a killer punch is odd - perhaps they were stopped from doing so - but SU now try to hold the Breakers in midfield, They succeed in the middle but on the flanks Langone/West and Sprod/Bennett push up to seek the equaliser. The balls into the middle however are either astray or put Zane and Tollenaere offside (or not). They start getting frustrated and Zane is booked kicking the ball away in disgust. Still for SU there is only one strike by Phillips saved well by Swancott and plenty of action at the SU end as Langone and West cause havok - but we waste the final ball (still).
The second half opens with two attacks by the Breakers which result in throws near the corner. The second from the left side sees Zane flick on to Ironside who with 3 around him swivels and bangs it past a lunging Kalac. 1-1 and we have a game. Two minutes later Zane is played through and as Kalac advances Zane lobs him nicely. 2-1. Delirium, and a rush of blood to Zane's head as he rips off his shirt in celebration. Idiot - yellow/red/off! How will the Breakers hang on for 45 mins with ten men? SU seek to use the advantage and Bilokapic hits one over. The Breakers now settle into a counter attacking style I haven't seen this season with Tollenaere up front and Ironside sweeping across the middle, plus Austin taking a big load at the back. On the break Bennett grazes the post. Langone, West, and Tollenaere don't read the script and keep breaking through SU right side and three times Tollenaere is inside the box with the ball causing panic in the SU defence. At the other end the Breakers show new discipline and concentration to blunt every attack with Sprod picking up Phillips and Austin doing the job on Saad. Magnificent. Kosmina keeps faith with his 11 as Mitchell puts 3 fresh bodies on the park. It makes no difference. With 10 minutes to go SU get through twice. One saved by Swancott, and the other resolved with Joe Moric putting one over from 25m. Just when Tollenaere looks like Monaghetti after a marathon Jason Bennett slips quietly up in support and as Reece is surrounded at the edge of the box he slips the ball to Jason who turns the one defender on him inside out and wacks it past Kalac. 3-1 Even then they continued to attack. Sing Rowdies, sing!
A magnificent win boys, and everyone deserves praise. Yes even Ironside! They showed discipline, concentration, as well as flair in attack and importantly some real system of attack. That was the best effort since the middle of last season.
Best: NTB: Langone, West, Austin (but Tollenaere gets a special mention for his selfless running and holding). SU: Phillips, Vrkic, Kalac
Go Breakers! We have the key to open up Brisbane next week. :-) (Reece T will enjoy it too!) My target: 10 points from 15 for 11/12th spot.