First Grade Report

Magic were at home to Azzurri this weekend. Coming off their win over Lakes the Magic boys had to be at their best to fight the tiredness that comes from playing 90 minutes midweek. Magic got off to a slow start, which has been unusual for us this year, and the Azzurri lads, fighting to get off the bottom of the table capitalised on our sluggishness by having the upperhand early in the game. Eventually the Magic boys sparked up being led by Johnny Bennis who was tackling everything that moved to stop many of the dangerous moves Azzurri were making. Magic worked their way into this game

and started to control the game with some neat movement of the ball. We continually stretched Azzurri down our left side and looked very dangerous but our crosses were just missing the mark. It was a ball played down our right side that started the real damage.

Ben Kantarovski beat his man on the inside and headed in field with the ball. His precise pass to Johnny Majurovski saw Maj take control and play a delightful one/two to leave the Azzurri defence in tatters. Johnny's clinical finish saw what many believe is Magic's best goal of the season. Azzurri almost hit back straight away as the Magic boys were still celebrating their goal but luck was on our

side.

The second half was a scrappy affair. Azzurri, needing a win, pushed numbers forward and pumped long balls at the Magic defence. Our backline battled hard to keep the ball out of our defensive third. Whenever Magic picked up the ball in the midfield we pushed forward and but for some great

goalkeeping by former Magic keeper Stephen Kemp we could have won this game by 4 goals. Kevin Helmers was particularly unlucky to see his rocket strike from 25 metres out, which  Kempy still hasn't seen, hit the upright. But as is the norm we went out with a 1 nil win, which is all you need to do. We

are playing with great intensity but also lots of patience at the moment.

It was a great effort by the lads today who have now won their last 4 on the trot and look the goods at the moment. It has been a great turnaround from where we were and full credit must go to the players on their recent efforts. Our next test is against Hamilton Olympic at Darling Street. Magic will need to be at their best to get revenge for their first round loss to Olympic.

Thank you to Ian Milne for his First Grade Report

Reserve Grade Report

Magic met a very physical Azzuri at our home ground keen to repeat their first round domination of the visitors. It was clear that the Azzuri had plenty of pace and equally clear that they didn't mind how they tackled.

First blood went to the visitors after a ball from wide out found an unmarked head on the far post. In a tight first half Magic crept back into the game when fill in Damien Smith turned back the clock and slid a neat ball to Ben Martin who finished clinically to take the score to 1-1 at half time.

Magic’s fluid passing game was not at its best with a changed team lineup due to illness, injury and selection to first grade and the team struggled for periods without the ball.  Early in the second half Ben Martin gave Magic the lead with a freakish long range shot and the momentum was with Magic however an unlucky own goal again swung the pendulum back to Azzuri.

In the midfield O'Toole played exceptionally well but we lacked the go forward out wide which was needed to keep the pressure on our opponents.

Finally Azzuri secured the win 3-2 with a low shot from the edge of the 18 yard box which evaded the unsighted Midekian. This was an expensive loss in terms of the points position. Again thanks to our under 19s who stepped up to play after their own tough fixture.

Thank you to Chris Turner for the Reserve Grade Report

Youth Report

As mentioned in the last match report we were waiting for this game with great anticipation and we were not to be disappointed by our young men. As we would expect, Azzuri came at us with a typical physical attitude, this time around however the lads were ready both physically and MENTALLY.

As the first half was played with half chances created by both teams with neither of the keepers being tested and Azzuri making an early tactical change the score remained locked at 0-0. A good defensive display from both teams with Azzuri trying hard to break us down both flanks.

At half time in the dressing shed, slight adjustments were made as to how we would defend in the second half and this seemed to frustrate the opposition into making different decisions as to where do we attack from now. The game was evenly balanced as both sets of defences would not budge and the play went from one end to the other. Mid way through the second half we made a break on the left hand side and played the ball behind the Azzuri defence and slipped a neat ball to Liam who in turn was able to pass the ball on to Justin further across the goal and as we are getting accustomed to Justin’s scoring ability he neatly placed the ball in the back of the net. In this type of game one goal is usually all that is needed to win a game, as was the case.

The last 20 minutes were as tight as the remainder of the game with plenty of nervous people on the side line. At the full time whistle the score remained in our favour at 1-0, a great team effort from all the lads showing huge improvement both in work rate and mental attitude to the approach of the game with Llew our man of the match.

Thank you to Frank Klaassen for his youth grade report.