Met 2 South fight back to claim a prelim spot

In what was a scrappy game of hockey the 3rd placed panthers started the better of the two sides setting up opportunities in the first 10 minutes winning some corners and going ever so close to scoring. Not to be outdone though Frankston scored their first goal 17 minutes in after a strike of a corner to put the panthers down.

Nothing was working for the the panthers as they continiously made basic skill errors and mistakes letting Frankston in.

At half time some were told to chill out and calm down (Skills). Others told to keep working hard and we will get another chance. It wasn’t looking good however when Dunny was sent off after a poor tackle in the opening minute of the second half. The panthers faught hard in his absence and kept Frankston out until his emergence back onto the ground. His impact was immediate as the panthers came forward.

Andrew Spence made his way through some defenders giving Skills a half chance which he slapped into the corner leveling the game at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go. Waverley lifted after the goal and moved forward with speed and efficiency to win some corners. A solo performance from the top of the circle saw Skills hit his second and give the panthers the lead with 15 to play.

The team then fought out everything, haning on as the slowely wound down the clock for a hard faught win. Captain Scott Jolly inspirational as he stopped every Frankston attacking move down the right hand side in last 10 minutes.

Next week the panthers will take on Monash University who they beat in round 18 2-0. We all know finals are another game though and this week anything could happen. A win however is the right to take on Baw Baw in a grandfinal. It doesn’t get any better!

Final Score: 2-1

Best: Skillern, Spence, Miles, Kriek, Talty.

Goals: Skillern 2.