Tyden Forrest pushes through he Redback defence to score for the 12-13s Atletico. Photos: Michelle Clarke
OLLIE JONES
League winners Redbacks faced an Atletico side looking to secure second place in the 12-13s League Ladder. In windy conditions both teams struggled to adapt, Ollie Fleeton tested the Redbacks defence after picking up the ball from Conor Sinnott, his driving run was only stopped by a well-timed tackle from Preston Taylor.
Fleeton continued to find space on the wing but found his goal bound efforts saved by Redbacks keeper Alex Hay. Finally Atletico’s pressure saw them win a corner.
Sinnott curled the ball to the back post and found Tyden Forrest who finished past the stranded Hay.
Atletico Coach Jordan Fleeton decided to go for the attack, Redbacks were pushed back into their own half and had some last ditch tackles from Hunter Florisson and impressive Evie Swann to keep them in the game.
Two minutes before half time Duke Perry broke on the left and won a throw and Cian Whiting acted quickly to catch the Atletico defence off guard and played to Nathan Cassam in behind the defence. His smart pass sent the clinical Harlem Moore through on goal to equalise.
Half Time: Atletico 1 Redbacks 0.
Atletico came out for the second half and looked in no mood to settle for the draw- Fleeton working well with Sinnott to find Charlie Green who went close with a low shot. Ben Clarke fellow defender Paddy Bronca marshalled the back line well.
Another Sinnott through ball put Green on to goal and he was taken down in the box for a penalty.
Green stepped up and saw his well-placed penalty tipped round the post by Redback’s GK Hay.
Hay would still have another key role to play at the other end, His long kick found Finley Jones on the right ring, who cut the ball back to Myles Vibart.
Vibart put Moore through one on one with the Keeper, he picked his spot to make it 2-1.
Redbacks held on with Whiting controlling the midfield. Ajay Kreinbihl in the Atletico goal kept out a wind assisted effort from Oscar Wells.
Redbacks closed out the last five minutes to secure a hard fought win.
Full Time: Atletico 1 Redbacks 2.
Ollie Jones is an Esperance Soccer Association 12-13 Junior Coordinator.
