Southern Breakers 4 defeated  McLaren Districts 0 (‘A’ Grade)

The Southern Breakers Senior team were hoping to bounce back after a convincing loss to top-of-the-table South Coast United last week as they were back at home to take on Mclaren Districts, who had only won one game so far this season. Still, it looked as if McLaren Districts wouldn't be pushovers, as the Breakers only edged McLaren Districts 3-2 in their previous encounter. 

Coach Nair started with Kym Taylor in goals. He had a backline of Nicholas Barnett, captain Mitch Bremner, promoted Reserve team centre back Henry Scott and Matthew Cooper. In the middle of the park were Aaron Houghton, Lee Small and Rhys Sinclair. Up front were Jordan Reilly, who was promoted after scoring for the Reserve team last week, Jarrad Mitton and Truong Nguyen who was also promoted from the Reserves. 

The Breakers started on the back foot but soon lifted and were unlucky not to be 1-0 up with Houghton hitting the post from a header after a great cross into the six-yard box. Striker Mitton was through one-on-one and tried to chip the ‘keeper but the ‘keeper tipped it over the bar. Right winger Reilly went close to scoring when he got the ball in a dangerous area but his shot went the wrong side of the post. Left winger Nguyen also had a chance from a tight angle after arriving late at the far post but he slightly mis-hit his shot and dragged it wide. 

The Breakers got their first goal after they were awarded a penalty kick due to Mitton being pushed in the back. Mitton coolly dispatched the spot kick, putting it into the bottom corner. Mitton scored his second goal from a corner delivered by winger Reilly, when the ball fell nicely for him after the McLaren defence couldn't clear their lines. The half time score was 2-0 in favour of the Breakers. Coach Nair was very happy with the team and asked for the same intensity in the second half.

McLaren fought hard early in the second half and nearly got the breakthrough when a player hit the ball straight into Taylor from close range just outside the area. The Breakers fought back and got their third goal after a delightful cross from Reilly was buried by Mitton who completed his hattrick, the right winger and striker combining well again. The Breakers got their fourth when substitute Beaton was brought on to replace Nguyen due to injury. Another fantastic cross, this time delivered from Nicolas Barnett, was met by Beaton who scored shortly after coming on.

Mitton very nearly had four goals when he stole the ball from the opposition centre back. He burst down the right, cut back inside but was denied from close range by the goalkeeper. Reilly had a chance for the Breakers' fifth when he had a shooting chance from a very tight angle but hit it into the side netting.

The Breakers continued to look like the stronger team towards the end and could have come away with more goals but the final score was 4-0 to the Breakers, which was still a good result. Next week the Breakers have a tougher test against the Adelaide Pumas, who are fifth on the ladder, away from home.

Southern Breakers 1 lost to McLaren Districts 2 (Reserves)

The Southern Breakers Reserve team played at home against bottom of the table McLaren Districts in arguably their most important fixture of the season so far as a loss would see them drop to the bottom of the ladder. Unfortunately, coach Munro had a weakened squad without star attackers Truong Nguyen, Fletcher Brunt and Jordan Reilly who just returned from injury. Right midfielder Kingsley Anderson, the ever reliable acting captain Peter Casey, utility player Jayden Dunstone as well as centre half Henry Scott were also out. 

There were a few new additions to the squad, with utility player David Ling returning for his first game since round one, Lachlan Kennedy making his debut, as well as midfielder Sam Barth making a long awaited return to the squad after struggling with an injury. Goalkeeper Daniel Secomb returned after being promoted up to the Senior team the week before. Finally, and most importantly, Coach Munro returned for Saturday's fixture after being absent for two weeks. 

Coach Munro started with Daniel Secomb in goals, a backline of Daniel Izzo, Jamie Warren (captain), Ben Griffiths and Jack Church. In central midfield there was debutant Kennedy and Bayleigh McDonald, with Judd O'Donnell and Landyn Beaton down the wings. Up front was Alix Young and Kenny John. There was a very strong bench with Sam Barth who played for the Seniors last season, David Ling who is versatile and quick, Bill Brooks, a fairly new player who impressed in midfield when coming off the bench the previous week as well as Ben Sinclair who was a surprising omission to the starting XI due to being the Breakers Reserves top scorer. 

McLaren Districts got off to the best possible start after the Breakers defense failed to clear their lines, before the ball fell for the McLaren captain who emphatically smashed the ball into the back of the net. Things shortly went even better when goalkeeper Secomb mis-hit his goal kick into the path of the McLaren captain and was unfortunate enough to be off his line. The McLaren captain brutally put the ball into an empty net for his and McLaren's second goal. McLaren nearly had a third when the Breakers yet again failed to clear their lines but the chance was wasted. The Breakers attackers had a quiet game but John could have pinched a goal back when he made a run side by side with the McLaren centre back. He had a low shot from a tight angle but it ended up on the wrong side of the post.

The score was 2-0 to McLaren Districts at half time. Coach Munro was not happy with the intensity of the Breakers and immediately made two changes, subbing off O'Donnell for Brooks, and John for Ling. Young came off shortly afterwards for Ben Sinclair. Sinclair made an immediate impact from a corner, nearly scoring from an overhead kick which went only a few inches wide of the post. Star player Beaton lifted the team by making three runs down the right in a matter of minutes but was denied by three smart saves from the goalkeeper. McLaren almost scored again against the run of play when there was a scramble in the corner but the shot went wide from three metres out.

The Breakers continued to dominate the second half. Substitute striker David Ling had three very good chances to score. He nearly scored when he was through on goal but put it just wide. Ben Sinclair beat the left back for pace and cut it back for an onrushing Ling but he was unable to get a touch on it. Ling also headed the ball just wide from a good cross. Captain and centre half Warren had a chance when he hit a volley from a corner but it was straight at the ‘keeper. The Breakers' perseverance finally paid off when Ling scored from a run after a lapse of concentration from the McLaren defenders and the goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late when the final whistle blew seconds later. 

The Breakers Reserves are now last on the table and will play the Adelaide Pumas next week away from home. They will be looking to avoid the wooden spoon with some tough games coming up.