19.05.2008 – Nick Bailey
Sydney University conceded four goals in the last ten minutes of their match against PCYC Parramatta to slump to their fourth loss of the NSW Super League season at Melita Stadium on Sunday.
In a strong start to the match, Uni carried their form of the past two weeks into the opening exchanges as they held the fifth placed Parramatta side to a scoreless opening half. After a fiery halftime address from coach Jason Falzon, however, Parra emerged from the break looking the more dangerous of the two sides, and gradually wore down Uni’s stoic defence.
Having conceded the first goal of the match just ten minutes from full time, the Students pushed forward looking for an equalizer. Instead of earning a draw, however, a late Parramatta goal scoring blitz ensued, as the exhausted Uni defence finally gave way and let in three more goals in six minutes, including an own goal from an attempted clearance.
Overall though, Uni coach Bruce Tilt was proud of the efforts of his young side:
“The players really worked hard in the first half and created several clear chances to score goals. The final scoreline did not flatter us but it certainly wasn’t a true indication of the closeness of the game.
We have to regroup and acknowledge we are a very inexperienced outfit but playing with a big ambition to get things right. Due to the fact most players have not played at this level of football I have to be patient and understand lapses in performance will be part of the ageing process. We had a good team meeting after the game and know that we were in it until the last 10 minutes. “
Still ravaged by injury, Uni have been slowly welcoming back some top line talent to training, and will be hoping to soon have more senior faces join the ranks in the coming weeks.
“We are welcoming players back everyday so yes things are certainly look much brighter. They will lack match fitness but the fact we have more players at training is certainly a lift to the morale.” Tilt said.
Uni face another top five outfit next week in Fraser Park, who sit in third place on the ladder following their 1-0 defeat of the Northern Tigers last weekend. The match kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, at University Oval No.1. Tilt is hopeful the Students can return to their winning ways at home:
“The players are hurt by the result [this week] and are keen to get back on the training paddock to prepare for Fraser Park. Fraser are having a big year but we seem to lift against the better teams so I think it will be a great encounter. We are back on home soil and have a 100% winning record at Syd Uni Oval No.1.”
