That was a big win tonight given the context of our season and strengthening our position in the top 6.
Oakleigh is a very good team. They started stronger in the first half and were more on top early on. We steadied things from the 20th-25th minute mark and finished stronger in that first half. Juach should have scored that one on one chance late in the first half. He’s clearly missing match fitness and that striker’s performance touch. He was much better today, and was involved in our first goal in the second half by heading the ball to Yoo for running into space and scoring a great goal.
Yoo had another great match. He was everywhere and involved in all build ups. His movement and forward drives caused all sorts of trouble for the Oakleigh defence. Yuki was also amazing and was running rings around the Oakleigh players. Retre continues to show why he’s been a great addition. Simply all class. Ramazani - not enough words can describe how great he was once again. Solid defensively again and has formed a great partnership with Jankovic.
I don’t understand why those late substitutions were made. You can’t risk matches against the likes of Oakleigh with players they won’t help. Lackay was tripping over himself. The other substitute nearly cost us an equaliser goal at the death. Just ridiculous stuff.
The injuries of Lampard, Mikkola and Menelaou has exposed our lack of depth on the bench. Apart from Nkwomo and Swibel, we had nothing. Players like Pope, Leech and Dovison should have retained for the bench.
One of the other benefits tonight was the draw between Heidelberg and CS George Cross. That means we jump over Heidelberg and create a 4 point gap from CS George George. Given Preston is facing an almost certain point deduction (they had a suspended -3 point deduction already), then South could aim to finish at least fourth. More importantly it gives us a little bit of breathing space as well.
On a side note, the new grandstand looked good. It’s probably big enough for their needs.
