James Alley
After what was a superb second half display the Yass Think Technology and Royal Hotel Redbacks were able to snatch an unlikely win at Walker Park on Saturday.
Yass started well against Gungahlin United, relentless in attack for the first 15 minutes. Jarrad Porter had some solid shots on goal but it was the visitors that struck first, with a shot that just cleared the Yass keeper’s outstretched hands. The goal and lead gave Gungahlin more confidence and they started to put their passes together, with their players finding more space and time on the ball. Immediately the Redbacks were under fire in the greasy conditions and it was not long until Gungahlin went two up with a low shot that just slipped through the keeper’s gloves. Yass held on for the rest of the half and were unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions.
In the second half the attitude changed for the better and Yass started to push more players forward putting pressure on the opposition’s defence. The Redback’s eventually got on the board 20 minutes in, thanks to Jarrad Porter.
The possession in the second half continued to be in Yass’ favour and any counter attack from Gungahlin was quickly halted by full-back Cameron Betts who had a solid 90 minutes.
At the 75th minute Yass was attacking in the goal area and a fortunate bounce resulting in a Gungahlin handball gave Yass a penalty. Mitch Darmody playing his 100th senior match for the Redbacks, and captaining the team, stepped up to the spot and made no mistake taking the score to 2-2.
Yass continued to dominate the half. The winning goal came after a free kick had rebounded off the defensive wall and Porter let fly with a scorcher that avoided all players in the box. The keeper had no chance.
This is the second time this season that the Redbacks have come from two goals down, once for a draw and this time for a well deserved win.
It was a credit to the players for remaining positive.
Players’ player was Mitch Darmody, followed closely by Betts and Porter. Grant Taylor and Andrew McLean both had solid second halves in defence and Ryan Wing also had a good game in the centre of the park.
The division 11 side welcomed back a few key players but that wasn’t enough to stop the dreary run of form that they are experiencing. Up against Gungahlin, and with only 11 players available, Yass ended up losing 3-0. Jeremy Jackson and Adam Greenwood were among Yass’ best on the day.
The Yass Redbacks ladies side were also unsuccessful on the weekend, unable to continue on from their big win last week.
The girls travelled to Goulburn on Sunday with only 10 players and, despite fighting bravely, lost 2-0.
Coach Garry Lennon was proud of his charges and said they were brave in defeat. He also told the Tribune that they are showing real promise mid-way through the season.
“I have only been with them for six months and things that we are working on at training are being taken out onto the pitch. It’s great for them and it’s great for the club.”
All teams have the long weekend off and will be back in action in two weeks’ time.