Trial vs Blacktown & "we're better than last year"

[georgemladenov]

dru said:

Full time Mariners 2 Blacktown 1

Blacktown scored off a header.

How did the boys look? I'm a keen NSWPL fan and I know that Blacktown, especially with Necevski in goal, are a difficultly-determined team to beat, that do not concede many goals.

I travelled up to Newcastle today to watch my club Bankstown City play the Jets. To me, Newcastle seemed unimpressively unenterprising and incredibly unfit! Lawire McKinna has probably done a better job than Van Egmond in preparing our preseason - a good start to this A-League will be essential towards the end of the season. Bankstown outplayed the Jets (who played their full strength line-up) in an unlucky 1-0 defeat due to a goalkeeping-error.

[dru]

Sorry was only getting sms updates. but sounds like the second half was a lot scrappier than the first. how did spenny look in the jest game?

[kevrenor]

georgemladenov said:

dru said:

Full time Mariners 2 Blacktown 1

Blacktown scored off a header.

How did the boys look? I'm a keen NSWPL fan and I know that Blacktown, especially with Necevski in goal, are a difficultly-determined team to beat, that do not concede many goals......

The Demons were fairly lacklustre for the first 30 mins or so and we played the ball around well and created chances. Both goals were very well worked. After that we seemed to back off a little and Blacktown came out to play in the second half, esp. after they got the goal, which was also a nice move.

A satisfactory work out though.

[T]

dru said:

Sorry was only getting sms updates. but sounds like the second half was a lot scrappier than the first. how did spenny look in the jest game?

Nice to see my sms's came in handy ;D

[DJ]

Definitely a good show in the first half, we were in complete control. Both goals were well crafted and there's certainly encouraging signs!

Mrdja, Kwas, Vidmar and Clark all out of this 1.

Osman picked up a knock and was limping for the rest of the evening, fingers crossed not too serious.

I thought our defence was strong apart from the last 10 - 15 minutes

Gumps was probably our poorest player on the park, his first touch was non-existant. Mile was strong in the middle, and Boogs showed signs that he and Wilko IMO can become an awesome pairing.

On the pre-season form I have seen, Tommy could be in for a wonderful season if he stays fit!

[Bearinator]

Apparently Osman roled his ankle in the warm up. Thats why he came off.

[georgemladenov]

dru said:

Sorry was only getting sms updates. but sounds like the second half was a lot scrappier than the first. how did spenny look in the jest game?

Spencer did his usual "turn around, pass the ball backwards" routine, other than that, he lost possession a countless number of times by either pumping the ball long into the sidelines, or by being tackled by the Bankstown midfield.

I hope the Jets persist in playing with him so they finish in the bottom 2.

[mustapha_beer]

Overall, happy enough with what I saw. The first half was very solid - lots of running, good link-up play and could have been up by more than 2. Also, they closed Blacktown down very well, and stopped them from getting much possession.

2nd half was different - a bit scrappy at times, but we made quite a few changes so that's to be expected.

A lot of good performances, in particular Mile in the centre, and Boogs at the back. Hadn't seen Boogs play before last night, but he looked pretty solid. The only thing that concerned me about the defence was them getting caught out a couple of times by long punts down the middle.

All in all, bring on the Pre-season Cup!!

[marinermick]

Mile just gets better every time I see him. His workrate was unbelievable and he is a tackling machine - so strong and gets first to the ball every time.

If his upward improvement continues at this rate we may see him in a Socceroo jersey soon.

I ask Lawrie after the game how is he going to fit Mile, Gumpy and Tommy in the midfield and he said that Tommy will play on the right.