LATEST MATCH REPORT
8/6/03
The double header on the Queens birthday long weekend was always going to be tough.The BSD had scheduled two games in 24 hours and JPC's numerous requests to change the Monday game clearly fell on deaf ears at soccer HQ.
Duc
Man of the Match
Result of Sundays game;
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE 9 - 2 ROCHEDALE ROVERS
Saviola(1) McGregor (1) Xhemajlaj (1) Terry (1) Duc (4) Danny (1)
JPC were out to avenge their round 1 defeat by Rovers and took the lead after only 3 minutes when Saviola unmarked on the far post had no problem converting. Some good work by Driton Xhemajlaj resulted in McGregor doubling the score on the 20 minute mark and then Xhemajlaj grabbed one for
himself shortly after. Rochedale hung in and on the stroke of half time pulled one back with a scorching free kick through a half hearted wall that Scooter (G/K) could only get his finger nails to.
Within a minute of the restart Rochedale thought they were back in the game when the JPC defence failed to clear a corner and handed the visitors a goal from close range.That was the last threat JPC were to face as they introduced Duc and Gus to the battle.In a one - two with McGregor Duc made it
4-2 and then Terry put away a Danny cross for the fifth.Then in an electrifying 20 minute spell Man of the Match Duc added 3 more with help
from Terry and Danny to put the game beyond any doubt.Danny completed the rout with a 25 metre drive to bring his seasons tally to 6. JPC played the last 25 minutes with only 10 men as the two subs had been used and an injury to In Jai Won considered to risky for him to continue. It made little
difference to a JPC side full of confidence and worthy winners.
" We have been working hard on our finishing over the past few weeks and it all came together today, I was really pleased to see Midge McGregor and Nathan Evans put in very solid displays yet again "said Muzza.
Inji
Man of the match
Result of Mondays game;
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE 2 - 1 QLD LIONS
Gus (1) Xhemajlaj (1)
After having disposed of the second placed team the previous day JPC faced the third team on the ladder Qld Lions. It was a fairly even first half with Qld Lions unlucky not to take the lead when a long kick from the keeper caught the JPC defence napping with the lob over keeper Scott Mackenroth
bouncing on to the cross bar. It was another huge clearence from the Lions keeper that sent Lions to the break one goal ahead as Scooter and Charles went for the same ball resulting in a collision that
gave the visitors a simple tap in.
In the second half Xhemajlaj and Gus replaced Terry and McGregor and JPC began to dominate the Lions who had lost their roar.However the packed defence would frustrate the home side with Duc hitting the bar and Drit rounding the keeper only to have his shot cleared off the line. JPC were awarded
several free kicks in front of goal, the first of which In Jai put inches wide but the second from Gus found the inside of the post for a most deserving equaliser.As JPC pushed forward they left themselves exposed at the back and had Scooter to thank for a fine save when confronted
with a one on one. With only 5 minutes to go Drit and Duc battled for the ball on the 6 yard line as it fortunatley fell to Xhemajlaj who rammed home the winner.
This hard fought victory elevates John Paul College to second spot on the ladder with Toro now firmly in their sights." We totally dominated this match and thoroughly deserved the win, it was good for us to have to work hard and come back from a goal down, Lions defended well and had to contend
with constant pressure. I was pleased with the way we just kept at them without getting to frustrated. In Jai Won was man of the match he looked like a man amongst boys, DIFFERENT CLASS " said Muzza.
match report from
BC