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Mens Premier League

Premier League    R2      Pagewood  Vs  Waverley

match report summary by Sam Mantoufeh


Waverley  1  Vs  Pagewood  1       venue: Mission Field           Date: Wed 17th Apr, 15:00 KO

This was a game of two halves, set in ideallic centennial park the spectators were treated to beautiful weather and good football. You could be excused if you thought you were at the wrong venue, there were more cars with bike racks and cyclist then football players.

This game had special significance for the Pagewood players, coming off a humbling defeat in their opening round they were keen on getting their season started and more importantly it was five years to the day against the same opposition when one of Pagewood Botany Football Club's beloved sons passed away when he collapsed in the second half after suffering a heart attack at age 35,... Dimos Mastoris.

Pagewood started out well and with emotional focus were able to take control of most of the first half. Their pressure eventually paid off with a well taken goal by Alex Tomkins. Waverley came out eager to pull one back quickly, but Pagewood's stoical defense made them always dangerous on the counter.

In the second half Waverley increased the tempo and enjoyed more possession in the first fifteen minutes, however Pagewood continued to foil all of their attacks with ease. The turning point was perhaps when Tomkins had to go off after a head clash leaving him with a wound above the right eye which later required four stitches, this short delay seemed to affect Pagewood's concentration with a few errors creeping into their game after the restart. It was difficult to tell whether the substitution or the increased urgency from Waverley that eventually lead to the equaliser, but it came close to the 75th minute mark after Pagewood gallantly defended prior to the that.

Both teams had late chances to win the game, non closer then Pagewood's midfielder side footing the ball into the crossbar on the 88th minute after a great inside ball from the right side.

The game ended a goal each at the final whistle, but throughout that second half as the sun gracefully lowered in the Autumn sky you often heard Dimos' name called out from the sideline as encouragement for the Pagewood players.