Recap

The first match of Round 16 saw an exciting match up between Balwyn and Brunswick, with the result the last time these two met ending in a tense 4-4 draw. The opening exchanges were close with neither team committing too many players forward as they jostled for the advantage. The first goal eventually came through Ruz Roslan as he turned down the line on the right before his effort from a tight angle took a deflection on its way in. The game remained close for the remainder of the half, with Brunswick dominating the possesion but defending astutely and looking to hit on the counter. Balwyn’s persevernce to the counter attack paid off, however, as Robert Armellini hit a defence splitting pass from half way to the back post, where Andrea Zaccone was on hand to finish to draw his side level. Moments before half time, however, the ball was fizzed across the Balwyn area and Daniel Cappellaro couldnt manage o get out of the way in time as the ball cannoned in off him for and own goal.

The second half saw Brunswick find another gear as they took control of the game and created chance after chance. Ben Rigby got on the score sheet with an effort from the right hand side, but an extended period of play following this would see Balwyn’s shot stopper Omin Abdollahi make a string of saves to save his team from looking at an embarrassing scoreline. Eventually Balwyn reverted to playing Michele Giotta a a 5th man fly keeper to salvage a point from the game. This tactic did not pay dividends however, as goals on the counter from Antonis Apostolakis and Kui Mu would wrap up an impressive result for The Bloods.

Man of the Match: Adam Cooper (CF Brunswick)