Round 17, Sunday 1 September 2013
1.00 pm
Peninsula Strikers versus Sandringham
Result: 3:1 win to Peninsula Strikers
Goal Scorers: Tyrone Donnelly, Kyle Piscopo, Scott McKinney

What a sensational start to spring. The weather was warm but anyone
suffering from hay fever had to battle through windy conditions. It was
great to see Harry Johnstone back from injury - partly because he was needed
on the pitch, but mostly because he made a lousy coach on the sidelines in
the past few weeks (Only kidding!). Shaquille Alkan, still nursing an ankle
injury was unable to play but like all our players, made the effort to join
the team, spurring them on to victory.

For the first half of the game, we had the perceived advantage of the wind
with the first two goals in rapid succession around the 20 minute mark.
Tyrone Donnelly's goal showcased his feign to the left, change direction and
chip past the keeper from the edge of the box. Kyle Piscopo followed up
with a magnificent 30 metre kick right over the head of the keeper. This
sparked some frustration on the part of the opposition and the verbal
assaults were aimed at not only our boys but their own players. With the
score at 2:1 at the end of the half, Strikers could not afford to become
complacent.

Facing the wind in the second half put pressure on us to keep the ball low,
because the power of the wind sent any kick that was more than half a metre
above the ground everywhere, but where it was intended. Ten minutes into
the half, Scott McKinney, facing an open goal, nudged the ball into the net
for the shot that allowed all the players and spectators alike a collective
sigh of relief.

Best on ground? Harry, Craig, Druian, Aaron, Matt, Lewis, Scott, Anders,
Robert, Tyrone, Eddie, Kyle and George!

The highlight of the day was Shaq distracting Toni Johnstone so that she was
cheated of her weekly photo opportunity, while our boys high-tailed it back
to the club rooms to celebrate.