Old Carey end run of 8 straight home losses

The hoodoo is finally broken.  In an astonishing stat, Old Carey had almost gone an entire year without winning at their home ground.  It was way back in Round 9 of last season when the Seniors had obtained their last point on Wilcox Field.  Whilst the playing group have acknowledged their poor season last year, it had not dawn on them how bad their home record had become.   The Seniors have however seemingly taken a stance to make Wilcox Field their fortress.  And they went about it the right way on Saturday against Berwick Kings.

Old Carey went into the match on the back of a spirited performance against top of the table Ashburton.  However, consistency has certainly not been Old Carey’s strong point this season, and they came into the game knowing that last weeks efforts would now be used as a benchmark.  Old Carey went into the game without the suspended Ayman Amin, however Nick Mallios made his first start in Old Carey colours.  Roy Chan also returned to the starting line up following a lay-off with an ankle injury.

The conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for football, and Old Carey were certainly looking the part in their new Errea kit.

Old Carey began the game very positively, and had their first shot on goal inside the first 2 minutes when Richard Stanner found space out wide.  The resulting shot went wide of the target.  Berwick began to play their way into the game, as they looked to play the ball around the back and attack down both wings through their fullbacks.  They were having reasonable success down both flanks until Old Carey adjusted and sat off their back four.   Berwick looked to play the ball up the channels to their front two, however Roediger and Pellew ensured that their respective opponents were always facing away from goal.

On 18 minutes, Berwick created the first real chance when a ball was played in from wide left and their striker got up to head at goal, only to see his header roll harmlessly wide.  However, chances were few and far between for both teams as Old Carey worked hard to continue their impressive defensive record.

Then, Old Carey had a chance to break the dead-lock from a set piece.  The ball was lifted into the back post where Mallios flicked on.  Henson then found himself in space on a tight angle, and his shot-come-cross went just wide of the far post and the onrushing Chan.

As the half continued, Berwick were perhaps having more of the possession, as they continued to try and find a way through for the openning goal.  They almost succeeded when, on 35 minutes, a tame shot from Berwicks tall striker was turned onto the post by Paton in what was almost an embarrassing mistake.  Old Carey cleared the danger from the resulting corner.  Old Carey were making it hard for themselves with some of their passing in their own half.  Mallios, in an attempted switch, almost played a Berwick striker through, however the Old Carey defence was quick to react and clear the danger.

0-0 at half time.

Old Carey came out very brightly in the second half, knowing that their older opponents would tire as the game wore on.  Old Carey subsequently lifted the tempo as they streamed forward looking for the openner.  Old Carey now found themselves camped in the opposition half, but struggled to create any clear cut chances.

Then, on 56 minutes, Old Carey broke the deadlock.  They won a free kick just inside the Berwick half, to which Nick Mallios put the ball on to Dan MacDonald’s head.  He flicked the ball into the unguarded net following a misjudgment from the Berwick Kings keeper.  It was captain MacDonald’s first headed goal for Old Carey.

Much focus this season has been on transition, and it is a well known fact that a team is at its weekest immediately after scoring.  Old Carey dug in immediately however, and fought hard to protect their one goal advantage.  As Berwick looked to push forward, they openned themselves up to conceding a second goal, which is exactly what they did on 72 minutes.  Roy Chan got the ball out wide left and beat his man who proceeded to bring him down inside the area.  Luke Udorovic then stepped up to stroke the penalty home, scoring his first goal of the seasons, and giving Old Carey the comfort of a two goal lead.

With the second goal came a further push from Old Carey who looked to kill the game and soak up the pressure from Berwick.  Paul Purcell then entered the fray for Andrew Mariadason, who had worked tirelessly all game.  On 81 minutes, Berwick almost grabbed a goal back as they broke free down their right.  The winger’s touch was heavy however, and Paton came out and dove at the strikers feet to block the chance.

Roy Chan then had the chance to kill the game off for Old Carey, when he sprung clear of the tiring Berwick defence, finding himself one-on-one with the keeper.  Chan expertly rounded the keeper and seemingly had the easiest of tap-ins, but could only look on in horror as his finish flew over the bar.  Purcell then had a chance to grab a third goal for Old Carey when he was played through on half way.  He too found himself one-on-one with the keeper, and his finish, while beating the keeper, didn’t do enough to beat the man on the line.

Hugh Matthews then entered, on 82 minutes, at the expense of Roy Chan.

Ashburton continued to throw bodies forward, to which Old Carey continued to repel their attacks.  Peter Henson was now playing more as a stopper than a midfielder, as he expertly provided support to the Old Carey midfield.  Old Carey were however made to sweat as Berwick threatened to make them pay for all their missed chances.  A ball from out wide on the right was struck first time on the volley by an advancing Berwick midfielder (despite the attentions of Matthews), which beat Paton at his near post.  The goal seemingly spurred Berwick into life as they sensed the chance to grab an unlikely equaliser.

Old Carey tried to take all the pace out of the game, as they looked to get to the corners.  Steve Novak came on in the 90th minute for Luke Udorovic in his first senior appearance for the 2010 season.  Despite a few late corners, and a deflected shot over the bar, Old  Carey weathered the Berwick storm and finished with the 3 points they deserved