SKOB again left to rue slow start

Old Brighton have inflicted the first defeat for SKOB at home since 2016 with a convincing 23 point victory at TH King this afternoon.

Getting away to a fast start, the visitors were always able to hold SKOB at bay throughout a game which at times bordered on feisty but never quite descended into a  spiteful contest. Brighton’s early lead gave them the advantage where SKOB were forever chasing the game and although they were able to string together occassional good passages of play, it didn’t result in SKOB being able to score multiple goals in a row. It seemed that Brighton always had an answer for whatever the hosts could throw up.

Late in the second term SKOB got to within 2 goals and looked to have momentum going into the half time break, but a downfield free kick that led to a goal after the siren gave the visitors the extra buffer that would ultimately frustrate SKOB throughout the second half. Tom Kerr was named best for SKOB in his return to the Senior side and he was ably assisted in the back half by Critchley and Ross, whilst Matheson and Hodges held together a midfield that was again missing a couple of senior players. Jarrad Waite provided a strong target up forward despite being double teamed for long periods of the game. 

Despite a rev up at three quarter time and kicking the opening goal of the final term, SKOB couldn’t maintain the momentum, and when Brighton kicked a couple of back to back goals, the game was effectively done. Coming again late in the term, SKOB got the lead back under 3 goals, but when the final siren sounded, Brighton had a shot on goal - which was converted - and left the home team 23 points in arrears - a margin that was arguably fair given the general state of play. 

SKOB 11.13.79 Old Brighton 15.12.102

Goal Kickers: S. Kennedy 3, J. Waite 2, P. Edgar, C. Jones, J. Wood, H. Lagastes, V. Adduci, J. Holden Best Players: T. Kerr, J. Waite, C. Matheson, C. Hodges, C. Ross, S. Critchley

In the early game, SKOB had a strong win over Old Brighton and in the late game, the Masters easily accounted for Wittlesea in a twilight match played in front of a healthy and appreciative crowd - a great inititiative. The SKOB Saints both recorded great wins against their now close rivals - Marcellin, but apart from that there was little joy for SKOB with the Under 19s again finding their opposition just a little too strong and the Thirds missing out against Old Scotch although the Under 23s did triumph over St Bernards so there were 4 wins from 9 overall.