Pigs can't beat the finest Ham
Monday, 06 April 2009
Former Razorbacks stopper Matt Ham came back to haunt his old team, producing a game-winning performance as Olympic FC beat North Queensland McDonald's Razorbacks 2-0 yesterday.
The goalkeeper repelled raid after raid from the Pigs, keeping his team in the State League game, before Andrew Oar and Chris Hagell secured the points with two late strikes.
With at least six clear-cut chances in the second half at the Townsville Sports Reserve, the NQ McDonald's Razorbackswill see the match as one that got away against the competition front-runners.
Ham brilliantly deflected away three one-on-one chances in the 46th, 50th and 74th minutes from Sean Burke, James Searle and Jake Navarro respectively.
The Burdekin product frustrated Burke further by denying two cracking shots from outside the box in the 60th and 73rd minutes and did likewise to Paul Sapelli in the 55th.
A disappointed coach Mick Tonner praised Ham's efforts, but lamented his side's inability to take their chances.
``That was our moment. I just sensed that when those balls didn't go in we dropped our heads a little bit . . . they took their chances and we didn't take ours,'' he said.
``I also think we didn't help ourselves when the last pass just wasn't on target -- we tried to play too straight, we should have maybe had some angle runs and angle passes.''
It was Ham's first game for Brisbane-based Olympic after signing for the club midweek.
Olympic coach Bobby Hamilton was relieved they did.
``The goalkeeper on two or three occasions had to make some vital saves or it (the result) could have been the other way around,'' he said.
``Sometimes I feel it's difficult for (Ham) to get down there quick, but he did it today and it doesn't matter if you stop them with your feet or hands, as long as you stop them.''
With their opponents' legs tiring, Olympic brought on young Nigerian striker Nzube Okafor in the 67th minute and it proved a masterstroke, sparking the visitors' attack.
His first shot was blocked, but he didn't take long to make an impact, cutting the ball in-field for Hagell to tap the shot into the net for a 1-0 lead with 14 minutes to go.
``It was good coaching . . . he came on and did very well in that little hole between the striker and the midfield -- they're a good team, they will be in the finals,'' Tonner said.
Hamilton echoed those sentiments about the Razorbacks, rating the game as one of the toughest his team had encountered after five rounds.
Despite the loss, it was a positive showing from NQ against the favourites for the Hyundai QSL title.
``What I know about the Razorbacks and from what I have seen again today, I don't believe there will be too many teams that come here and win a game,'' Hamilton said.
``They play a good football style . . . and it's difficult.''
The loss leaves the NQ McDonald's Razorbacks mid-table with two wins and two defeats.
Antony Stewart
Townsville Bulletin
With at least six clear-cut chances in the second half at the Townsville Sports Reserve, the NQ McDonald's Razorbackswill see the match as one that got away against the competition front-runners.
Ham brilliantly deflected away three one-on-one chances in the 46th, 50th and 74th minutes from Sean Burke, James Searle and Jake Navarro respectively.
The Burdekin product frustrated Burke further by denying two cracking shots from outside the box in the 60th and 73rd minutes and did likewise to Paul Sapelli in the 55th.
A disappointed coach Mick Tonner praised Ham's efforts, but lamented his side's inability to take their chances.
``That was our moment. I just sensed that when those balls didn't go in we dropped our heads a little bit . . . they took their chances and we didn't take ours,'' he said.
``I also think we didn't help ourselves when the last pass just wasn't on target -- we tried to play too straight, we should have maybe had some angle runs and angle passes.''
It was Ham's first game for Brisbane-based Olympic after signing for the club midweek.
Olympic coach Bobby Hamilton was relieved they did.
``The goalkeeper on two or three occasions had to make some vital saves or it (the result) could have been the other way around,'' he said.
``Sometimes I feel it's difficult for (Ham) to get down there quick, but he did it today and it doesn't matter if you stop them with your feet or hands, as long as you stop them.''
With their opponents' legs tiring, Olympic brought on young Nigerian striker Nzube Okafor in the 67th minute and it proved a masterstroke, sparking the visitors' attack.
His first shot was blocked, but he didn't take long to make an impact, cutting the ball in-field for Hagell to tap the shot into the net for a 1-0 lead with 14 minutes to go.
``It was good coaching . . . he came on and did very well in that little hole between the striker and the midfield -- they're a good team, they will be in the finals,'' Tonner said.
Hamilton echoed those sentiments about the Razorbacks, rating the game as one of the toughest his team had encountered after five rounds.
Despite the loss, it was a positive showing from NQ against the favourites for the Hyundai QSL title.
``What I know about the Razorbacks and from what I have seen again today, I don't believe there will be too many teams that come here and win a game,'' Hamilton said.
``They play a good football style . . . and it's difficult.''
The loss leaves the NQ McDonald's Razorbacks mid-table with two wins and two defeats.
Antony Stewart
Townsville Bulletin
