Two late goals shatter United
Warragul United had a tough assignment on their hands when they hosted second placed Malvern City in their State League One fixture on Saturday.
A brave United were able to stifle their opponents for nearly the entire game, however, Malvern’s pressure paid dividends in the dying minutes of the contest.
They were able to take the lead with a swift counterattack that left United shattered. Another goal shortly after smashed Warragul’s hopes of an equaliser as they conceded in the last kick of the day whilst throwing everything they could forward to desperately salvage something from the game.
Warragul lined up without their influential skipper Nathan Lugton who will sadly miss the rest of the season with a confirmed medial ligament tear to his knee. Rory Wagner will captain the squad for the remainder of the year in his absence.
Thomas Ahmadzai returned to the team in the centre of midfield following a lengthy spell nursing his troublesome hamstring, and Oscar Sheehan started for the first time in several weeks after recovering fully from a shoulder injury. Another player brought into the line-up was Riley Hamilton who was also declared fit to play after being sidelined with a reoccurring hamstring strain.
Aidan Riley continued his string of good performances in the sticks with Nick Modaffari, Matt Gauci, Jobie Heusmann and Hamilton in front of him in a four-man defence. Ahmadzai, Matt Maselli and Baley Row rounded out the midfield three, with Wagner, Sheehan and Sammy Gatpan spearheading the attack.
Warragul started the game a little nervy and couldn’t settle into any real patches of possession. Malvern are a good side and control the game well, so it was a difficult proposition to break them down and impose themselves on the contest.
For large parts of the game, United were reduced to clearing the ball to safety from defence or being stretched in the backline and being forced wide. They then launched long balls forward in an attempt to find Wagner’s head for “flickons”, completely bypassing the midfield.
The Malvern wing-backs were overlapping well and causing headaches down the flanks as Warragul’s fullbacks stayed flat with more focus on defence. This made for a tremendous amount of running required from wingers Gatpan and Sheehan who were relied upon to track back and cover defensively, whilst also being expected to support Wagner when they broke into attack.
Baley Row “buzzed” about in midfield alongside dead-ball specialist Maselli, and Thomas Ahmadzai did his very best to assert himself with some heavy tackling. However, it was not a game where United’s midfield were really able to control the match in a rather frustrating afternoon.
Chances to score were few and far between. Sheehan got an outstretched boot to a sumptuous Hamilton ball to the far post in the first term. But he couldn’t direct it well enough to find the net, as it fell wide of the target.
Matt Maselli had a wonderful free kick denied late in the game by Malvern’s keeper, which would have put United ahead and possibly seal a fairy-tale finish. It wasn’t to be, however, as the away team struck moments later, scoring twice in the space of a few minutes late to “ice the game”.
Malvern’s classy striker is possibly the best player in State 1 and he put United to the sword with both City’s goals.
A draw would have been a satisfactory result for Warragul on the day but, unfortunately, Malvern were too good. They now sit top of the league, and there’s a reason for it.
Nick Modaffari was easily the best on the ground in an inspiring defensive performance. Impenetrable and a real rock in the backline.
Next week United travel to Boroondara in another tough test. However, anything is possible. With a now almost fully fit squad, minus Lugton of course, Warragul can beat any team in this competition.