Starting line-up : Magistrelli ; Laffineur, Tache, McPhie, Holmes ; Norton, Sheekey, Jolliffe, Denholm, Wright ; Fitzgibbon

Subs : Stevens, Butters

With only 3 wins in 2005, the mighty 4’s were due to host Goalois 3, a team who had surprisingly stacked up a fair amount of points, despite having the worst defensive record in the league. A change of formation was needed, captain Tache (making his return to the team after 3 weeks of injury) set out a 4-5-1 formation with the intention of winning the centre of the park.

The 4’s with probably our strongest line-up so far this season, remained high on confidence, despite this dreadful run, and this showed through some early pressure on the very dodgy Goalois keeper.

The formation appeared to be working as the midfield was dominated by the consistently impressive Jolliffe who showed off some “Hollywood passes” to the wide men Norton and Wright. Sheekey being his ever self, forcing the opposition into errors and making some crunching tackles was constantly up and down providing the defensive cover that we had previously been missing.

Despite the solid start made by the 4’s we were soon to concede what would once again be considered a sloppy goal. A long ball over the top meant that Laffineur would pass the ball back to Magistrelli - stranded on his goal line, when surely it would have been easier to kick it out. Magistrelli then fell to the ground with the ball in his hands to stop the ball going out. Pass back. Goalois had been given an indirect free kick inside the 6 yard box, and the ball was blasted through the wall on the goal line. 0-1, been here before.

However, this was not to be a heads down conceding defeat moment. Fitzgibbon was released through the centre and had support from Wright on the right and Denholm bursting through to Fitzy’s left with pace that nobody ever knew he possessed to slot the ball with his left foot into the bottom right corner, 1-1.

The half went on with the 4’s hunting for a second goal and came close on numerous occasions, with efforts from Fitzgibbon and Denholm again. Half time arrived with us definitely playing the better football, and creating more chances, Magistrelli had only been tested once in the first half. Confidence was high, was this to be another victory for the 4’s?

No. The second half came with changes being made, the ever solid Butters replacing the injured Holmes, and Stevens with his teasing crosses coming on for Wright. Chances were still coming for the 4’s. Chances were not being put away, Norton had a chance from distance but could not convert instead shinning it way over. Then on one of the rare Goalois attacks, the midfielder was given too much time to pick his spot from distance and he hit the target. 2-1.

Not long after it was 3, once again the player was given too much time on the ball and he also was able to convert from distance. Chances came and went for the 4’s but we were struggling to put it away. Then getting frustrated a needless and rather harsh free kick was conceded on the edge of the box, the player stepped up and curled it round the wall into the corner of the net. 4-1.

The never say die attitude which has become tested in recent weeks due to results came through and we managed to get one back from MOM Sheekey who put in a fantastic performance full of grit and determination, other mentions should go to Mr. Consistent, McPhie.

An extremely frustrating result in an entertaining game left a sour taste in the mouth as this was definitely a team we could and should have beaten. Still we are lacking something defensively but should the team continue to create so many good chances in the next few games we will no doubt start picking up the points, starting on Saturday against Sporting Waterloo.

MOM : Mark Sheekey