Spirited Late Show not enough
SKOB surrender top spot as late comeback falls short
Old Brighton have dealt SKOB a blow, sneaking home in the finish, but controlling the game for most of the day to prove worthy winners in the end. It was the home team who were slow out of the blocks and left themselves too much to do despite a barnstorming last quarter. The final margin slightly flattering given that SKOB scored a goal on the bell to bring them within 3 points.
As it was in Round Two when these teams last met, SKOB were facing a 5 goal deficit in the final term. In the early season fixture SKOB were the ones who snuck home, but today Brighton were able to get revenge and take a vital 4 points back to Beach Oval. The result drops SKOB to second spot on the ladder and shores up Brighton's position in the top four.
With a few players missing from their last outing almost a month ago, SKOB found it hard to get into their groove. The visitors were sharper around the ground and more clinical up forward, whereas SKOB missed a few chances to keep them closer on the scoreboard. Their first quarter effort of 4 behinds and zero goals would prove costly. In the second term some critical free kicks were conceded that led to Brighton goals and it was only a late snag in the second term that gave SKOB a sniff. At the half, OB were comfortably ahead by 24 points.
SKOB were able to regroup and came out firing after the main break, cutting the margin back under two goals, but Brighton rallied again and with the aid of the breeze they pulled away to a margin of 29 points at the last change. The coaches pleaded with the troops for a final effort, and given SKOB's round two heroics - and their history of finishing strongly - there was a glimmer of hope at the final break. Keeping the visitors scoreless in the last quarter was a good start and SKOB stormed late kicking 4.2 to zip - but alas it wasn't enough. Brighton held on and claim the vital win that puts them right back in the mix.
A bit of a rusty performance from SKOB, but everyone has had a long spell, so no qualms from the home team. No doubt they would have loved to have had some fans in the stands - and it looked like there were a few extra COVID marshalls at the game, but nothing like a proper home crowd. Still, it's better to be playing to no-one than not playing at all.
Congrats to Cal Matheson for his 100th game and to the better players, Wood, Wallis, Ross, Presutto, Coates and Angus Hart.
In the Reserves, SKOB had a strong win despite some wayward kicking. They too started slowly and needed a big second half to overcome a plucky Old Brighton outfit who served it right up in the first half. The Thirds tuned up for the finals with a big win over Caulfield. The Under 23s had a loss to Old Xavs in a low scoring affair. In the Under 19s, the Div 2 and 4 teams both went under and the Div 3 had a bye - not sure what happened in Premier U19.
A reminder that our Saints are in action tomorrow (Sunday). All 3 teams playing 2nd semi finals. Good luck to all involved. Results to come.
