The mighty Bemboka Braves outfit traveled down to sunny Tathra on Sunday to tackle the Tathra Seagulls Football Team for the second week in a row. Buoyed somewhat by their first win of the season on the previous weekend, the Braves were nonetheless wary of a full strength and fresh Tathra team that is never easy to beat(or out talk) at home. The Tathra pitch is in very good condition this year (unlike some of the Braves players), ensuring the game would feature quality football for the Braves faithful.
Luigi breaking from the wall to cop one in the back..
It was the Braves who settled first with Tathra continually threatening on the break- gloating Canetoad (big Matty Ellwood), and his comedy backline able to keep it safe in defence. The Braves were fortunate to be in front after a ball whipped in from the right was accurately redirected into the net by a Tathra defender. Cheers for that son. At that stage they deserved to be in front after picking a disallowed goal out of the net and their South American import missing a golden opportunity in front of goal, Russ Hill style.
The game then settled into a steady rhythm, with the Braves being denied another goal that had crossed the line before half time after pressure on the Tathra keeper, who had another entertaining game throughout.
After a fairly forgettable first half, the second half began and the tight battle recommenced, the Braves becoming frustrated by giving away the ball too easily in attack. Tathra deservedly drew level after some uncharacteristic flimsy defence from the Braves backline. The Braves pulled ahead with a Joshy Mac goal off the side of his baby face from another pinpoint corner from Graham Barnet (who is becoming quite the David Beckham these days- tatts and all). Shame about the late tackle he wore which was spotted by the linesman but no action was taken following a discussion with the man in the middle. We can cope with playing the whistle, but late shite needs to be punished- no one wants to go home injured like that. Speedy recovery Becks!
The absorbing battle continued, Tathra pressing hard and winning free kicks and long throws in the Braves defensive third of the field. From a Tathra long throw, the Braves showed Marx Brothers like comedy in their defending (wish we had a camera on that one!), to allow the ball to roll steadily across to one of their strikers who stroked it in at the far post from about 15 centimetres.
Game on! Another disallowed goal by the Braves ensured both teams went at it hammer and tongs for the win, with the incessant chat from one Tathra player irritating even his own team ('wish hed shut up, he's pissing us off too' a quote from a Tathra defender who should be playing AFL), as well as the referee. With less than five minutes to go, a break down the right of the Tathra area saw a cross looped in towards a couple of the Braves tall timber men. Floating too far for the big men, it was the mighty Pip Pearson who latched onto the cross, volleying across the face of the goal to make the Ole Onion Bag bulge and give the Braves a deserved win from a thoroughly absorbing second half of football.
Not one the Braves would have been satisfied with a point from, so bloody well done to the boys for sticking at it and a big up to the ressie's who came along to help out for the day- great job boys!
Next week is down at Merimbula! Their Ressie's are doing ok, but they have been struggling for numbers in firsts. You can only but think they've gotta sort that as the season goes along, so the Firsts will really have to be on it again. Hopefully we might have a little more luck in front of goal and come away with a double from both senior teams!
A great game and a second win on the bounce for the Braves. Another valiant showing from the Eagles, who as always were very hard to breakdown at home and good luck to them for the rest of the season.
Go you Braves!
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