MPA vs Hawthorn [Rd 11]

Waverley 5 defeated Hawthorn 3

The Panther’s came into the game with their tails up, after knocking off top of the table Camberwell the week before, and continued their season revival with a successful campaign against an always problematic Hawthorn at Hawthorn on Saturday.

This was clearly illustrated with an incredible first half performance – Which has become an outstanding strength for the Men’s Pennant A side.

The hungry Panthers couldn’t put a foot wrong in the first half as everything ran like clockwork for them. Within the first 15 minutes, and after countless assertive circle penetrations, the Blues were able to draw the first blood for the day with Rod Mackintosh finding his form early in the game to slot one past the keeper, 1-0.

Mackintosh’s dominance was unrivalled through the middle of the park and ramped the Panthers up a gear. Hawthorn had no response to the barrage and finally the floodgates broke.

For the next 15 minutes it was the Andrew Shelton Show with two goals and an assist. His first was off a penalty corner where he unleashed a rocket over the keepers stick into the bottom left corner to register a 2-0 lead.

The assist came next with another rocket, again to the left, being limply gloved by the keeper a foot out from the post. This was all the chance the Blue’s needed with Nick Dallimore pouncing on the loose ball and finding the net for 3-0.

Shelton’s second came from yet another penalty corner – This time he toyed with the keeper as he fired the ball down past the keepers legs into the bottom right corner, 4-0.

The half time couldn’t have come quicker for Hawthorn with 4-0 at the break.

However, a mixture of complacency, lack of discipline and a resurgence from the Hawks saw the game turned on its head.

Waverley were reduced to 10 men twice in the second half which saw Hawthorn pile on three opportunistic goals to bring the scores back to 4-3.

The struggle was back on as the Blue Boy’s searched for an answer. It came through Stu Ritchie who received a ball on the spot to give him a one-on-one opportunity with the Keeper. He proceeded to dribble past and slot the goal to seal the game at 5-3.

Another scalp from the top four as MPA strive to break back in.

Goals – A.Shelton (2), Mackintosh, Ritchie & Dallimore

Team – Greaves, Shelton, Mutimer, M.Hocking, Mackintosh, Ritchie, N.Eddy, Anthony, Dallimore, O.Preston, Knee, Annetts & Ashton