After a pair of narrow draws, the State League 3 Royal Hotel-sponsored Redbacks registered a tough win against Weston Molonglo at home on Saturday.
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The 3-2 win was well-earned at Walker Park as the visitors did their best to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the hosts.
“Weston Molonglo is a pretty good football side,” captain-coach John Mannweiler conceded.
“They’re struggling a bit on the ladder but showed some real fight in that game on Saturday and I was proud of how the boys held things together and walked away with the three points.”
Brett Darmody continued his rich vein of form claiming a brace on the day. His first was the result of a clever through-ball which he collected, then took a couple of touches and found the back of the net.
The score stayed at 1-0 at the break but there was a feeling in the huddle that they should have scored more.
“I think a few of the boys really thought we should have been up by more and they were probably right,” Mannweiler said.
“But I just said to forget the score and the goals would come.”
And one did come not long into the second half, again courtesy of a tough play from Darmody.
A fair challenge on the keeper resulted in a loose ball and he didn’t need a second invitation and the score was 2-0.
But Yass took its foot off the pedal somewhat and Weston showed fight, so before the hosts knew it the score was 2-2.
In the end it was the forehead of Robbie Furner that was the difference. A clever cross found him perfectly and he made no mistake to eventually wrap things up for the Red and Blacks.
Youngster Tim Hazell stepped up in the absence of usual keeper Rex Stacey and was named Players Player for his efforts.
The State League 4 side came crashing back to earth following a promising win last week and were 4-0 down before the ten minute mark.
It wasn’t the start the doctor ordered but, impressively, the side showed fight and trailed 4-2 at the break thanks to two more goals from, you guessed it, Robbie Furner.
In the second half Yass’ defence was rock solid and veteran Grant Taylor shone. Weston found themselves under a lot of pressure but they wrapped up the match with a goal late in the game.
The 5-2 result didn’t reflect the 90 minutes and Taylor said he was happy with the fight his players showed.
“Obviously we just slept for the first ten minutes instead of playing soccer,” he laughed.
“But it was good that we were able to get back into it and give them a tough match. It was a fairly good 80 minutes from the guys but unfortunately soccer matches go for 90.”
Taylor was Players Player on Saturday, while Cam Hodge also polled well.
Yass is at home against Narrabundah at the weekend, with State League 4 on at 1pm and State League 3 at 3pm.