Round Ten

 Seniors

Moreland Wolves 2 (Jones, 2) Yarra Jets 1 (Plunkett)

The seniors played possibly their best football of the season as a Samuel Jones brace helped them to a win over the fancied Yarra Jets. Northern Ireland (pronounced Norn Iron) coaching trio John, Roy and Trevor played Jones up front for the first time this year and the move payed off handsomely as he troubled the opposition defence all afternoon.

Wolves looked a different team on the day and fought for every loose ball. They  showed some much needed steel in all positions and in patches looked a side playing in a league above their opponents.Wolves had the running early and exploded out of the blocks.

Midfielders Sergio Correa and Alex Ferrer ran the centre of the park well and fed wingers Mark Morlacci and Steve Sahyoune with some neat passes that helped them in behind the defence with regularity.

Jones looked dangerous from the off-set and was unlucky not to score from his first drive at a back-tracking Jets centre-half. Correa won the ball in the centre and fed Ferrer who put a well weighted through ball on the feet of an already running Jones. Jones muscled past the defender and shot just wide of the left hand post.  

The away team were clearly rattled at the speed of the Wolves attack and things got worse for them as they lost the ball in midfield and another pass found Jones, who burst through the middle to beat his marker and coolly slot past the keeper for the first goal.

Wolves continued to press and some lightning raids down the left wing from Morlacci had the defence chasing shadows. Wolves came close to scoring when Morlacci sent in a pin-point cross from the edge of the penalty box. Sahyoune arrived at the far-post but volleyed inches wide. Wolves went to half-time at 1-0.

The second half began the same as the first with Wolves showing more energy and fight than their opponents.However it was the jets that scored an equaliser early. A tense twenty minute period followed with both teams getting forward but unable to get the vital goal. Again it was the pace of the Wolves wingers that secured the telling blow.

With 8 minutes to go Morlacci made a mazy run down the left wing, beat his marker and ed back to Harrison, who had also made a run from deep. Harrison met the ball at the ten metres out from he half way line and sent an early cross into the penalty box. Jones rose above a defender at the back post and speared a header past the keeper to put Wolves ahead. It was no more than the home side deserved and held out the remaining 7 minutes confortably.

It was a great result for the seniors as they improve every game. The return of Alan Hall to the back three brought some much needed composure. New found left-back Liam Harrison has perhaps found his true position as he continues to play well in an unfamiliar role.

Also impressive was the midfield duo of Correa and Ferrer who regularly broke up opposition play and ably fed the wingers.However most noticeable was the ability of Wolves to defend and attack as a unit. Great win lads and the perfect going away gift for coach John Hall, who is off to his homeland to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming the official Guinness quality control officer.

Bon Voyage John.

Reserves

Moreland Wolves 3 (Vella, O’Shaughnessy, Sfirlas) Yarra Jets 1

The reserves again came from one goal down to over-power their opponents and secure a sixth win of the season. Despite playing against the wind in the first half Wolves more than matched their opponents and were unlucky not to go ahead several times.

The visiting defenders were given a torrid time at the back with the pace and power of Kylesh Ramghulam and Cliff Vella keeping them on the back foot. With regular runs from wingers Zayed Ahmed and Ben Phan feeding the forwards the Jets had no answers early.

With Drew Sedgewick slotted in at centre-half, a well-organised defence held the opposition to very few chances. The midfield continues to improve with Uva, O’Shaughnessy and Shakik bossing their opponents. However it was poor marking on their part that let the away team sneak a one-goal lead just minutes from half-time.

A heated half-time talk by coach Mark Nicolazzo had the required effect as Wolves came out of the changing rooms with even more commitment and fire. It didn’t take long for their dominance to show as they were soon on level terms on 50 minutes. A long throw into the penalty box from O'Shaughnessy caused havoc and Vella followed in a blocked shot from Sfilrlas to blast it past the keeper. 1-1.

The goal seemed a catalyst for Wolves as they pushed for a winner immediately. The Jets were unable to get the ball past midfield for long periods. The pace of Ramghulam again had the defence scrambling for cover but not before they fouled him at the top of the penalty box to give Wolves a shot on goal on 60 minutes. O’Shaughnessy stepped up and sent a cracking free-kick over the wall and into the goals to give Wolves a 2-1 lead. The keeper stood motionless as it sailed past him into the top right hand corner.

The home team had their tails up and continued to pressure for a third and were duly rewarded when Ahmed beat his marker to the by-line and slid a ball across the box to super-sub George Sfirlas. Sfirlas still had some work to do but took the ball past a rushing defender and slid the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal. It was a classy finish for the big man.Wolves led 3-1and was the final blow for the Jets, whose heads dropped hoping for the final whistle.

Another solid team performance from the reserves has them putting pressure on league leaders Broadmeadows United, who are just three points ahead on the table.