Result: Moroondu 1 - 3 Greenbank Metro 6

In what was an exciting, and somewhat spiteful game, Greenbank walked away from Moroondu with three points last night. In an epic encounter, no one in the Greenbank side let their team down as both individuals and team played their heart out.

First Half: Experimentation Overload

Missing both Joey and Joel, and with the threat that Michael Bishop would be out as well, coach Mark Bishop could let out a side of relief as his middle child rocked up, clearly defying the old chain and balls.

With both J-boys out, the team would clearly lose a lot of its pace. As such, the coach experimented with a different back four. The XI was as follows: Rob, Blowie, Mick, Darryl, Shakes, Bartlett, Matty, Dev, Harry, Nathan, Austin, Bench, Ritchie, Huge, Gazza & Mitch.

The idea starting with Mick at the back was that it would give a bit of defensive stability at the back with both Joey and Joel out. Blowie, who had, up until this point, played a lot up forward, was trusted with the right back role, whilst Chris Bartlett played the holding role that Mick would usually play.

Whilst there were clear glimpses of good play and positioning, the experiment failed to work and have the desired effect. What occurred, instead, was a Moroondu side hellbent of attacking Greenbank from all corners of the field, and they were able to do so with a neat finish. 1-nil to the Roos.

The Bankers had some attacking options. A great effort by Harry "Leonel Messi" was spoilled.

Some changes were made, Bartlett to right back, Ritchie on in the holding role and Mitch on to the right flank for Harry.

Greenbank soon restored parity when Chris Austin beat two men on his left flank and then burried the ball into the back of the net. His first goal in what seemed to be ages. 1-all. Parity restored.

When half time came, it was still very even.

Second Half: Changes made; Greenbank back to its old ways

Whilst from my perspective, the second half was a better team and gutsy performance, in the first Greenbank looked to have played a better passing game. We should keep this in mind.

At half time Mick was moved back into the holding role with Bartlett in the centre and Blowie back out right. Hugo was given a run for Nathan, who had been playing very well up until this point.

With Mick back into the midfield, the team started to play like it had always played. This is both good and bad. In the first half, Bartlett's positioning was generally okay. With him in midfield, we played a bit more expansive. With Mick back into the midfield, we played a lot more direct. He will be the first to admit that he didn't have suck a great time in defence, Mick. Which is why his second half performance was so much more better.

Whilst on balance, both teams were even, Moroondu always threatened. Their number 15 forward was always threatening. Always. His pace caused our defence a lot of trouble. It was, however, at times our gung-ho approach that caused them a lot more trouble. In what was his biggest contribution of the night, the passing play between Hugo and Matty opened up the defence and gave Matty a chance to shoot. Suffice to say, you NEVER give Matty a chance to shoot and on the 50th minute mark he took that chance. 2-1 Greenbank.

Most of the second half it was either Greenbank's defence that repelled wave of attack after attack or it was Greenbank testing the Moroondu keeper.

In the 84th Minute Matty found himself cutting through the centre. He had two options- left to Austin or right to Harry. In true Matty style, he took the harder option and hit it to Harry with a defence splitting ball. Harry, took the ball and with a cool head slotted it in to the Keeper's left hand side. 3-1 Greenbank and Harry's first goal of the season.

Overall, every single player contributed to that performance and win. No one let the team down, and the defence's efforts in the second half were massive.

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