SFL round two match reports: Morphett Vale beats Noarlunga for first time since 2015
It took 1849 days and five years but Morphett Vale finally shook the monkey off its back to beat Noarlunga and the Saints flicked the switch to record another come-from-behind win.
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Morphett Vale made history on Saturday, finally beating its bogey side for the first time in five years, while Christies Beach recorded another come-from-behind win.
Check out The Messenger’s Southern Football League round two match reports:
NOARLUNGA 5.11 (41)
MORPHETT VALE 8.2 (50)
Lightning struck again for Noarlunga as it was overrun for the second week in a row.
The Shoes led by 20 points at three-quarter time lead in a low-scoring match before losing 8.2 (50) to 5.11 (41) at Morphett Vale.
Noarlunga was plagued by the same issue in round one when the side 41-point advantage at the last change before going on to lose by a point to Christies Beach.
The Emus kicked 5.1 to two points in the last quarter.
Nathan Bayly was the hosts’ top goal kicker with three majors.
It was Morphett Vale’s first win against Noarlunga since 2015.
Emus coach Braden Bayly said the side had worked hard on its game plan.
“Even before COVID hit we had a huge pre-season,” Bayly said.
“We worked on a number of things in the summer and also had a boost with players like Michael Smith and Aiden Baker coming back.
“In this game our captain (David Sampson) won the toss but kicked into the wind but in the end it worked out as we were able to finish strongly.
“Maybe they (Shoes) ran out of legs but we pride ourselves to be really fit.
“When COVID hit it was the younger players who were desperate to play which was a good sign.
“It is really pleasing the boys are starting to learn to win again.”
In an interesting twist to the B grade game, both teams fielded father/son combinations.
Emus’ A-grade premiership player Dylan Sampson lined up with his son Max, while Jason Peach and Hayden Case-Peach took the field for the Shoes.
REYNELLA 11.4 (70)
CHRISTIES BEACH 13.16 (94)
Christies Beach came home strong for the second weekend in a row — this time beating Reynella — despite trailing for most of the clash.
The Saints were down by 31 points at quarter-time and 29 at the main break before clawing their way back to prevail 13.16 (94) to 11.4 (70) at Reynella.
Blake Carter was the star for Christies, booting five goals, while Daniel Nobes, who returned to Christies from Waikerie, Riverland Football League, kicked four majors.
Michael Mazey was also strong, as was Jacob Crate.
Picture: James Baker Photography
Cobras coach Darren Mason was pleased with the result but said players must work hard to start better.
“Hopefully we don’t make a habit of this, it would be nice to get out and front all game instead of coming from behind,” Mason said.
“Our fitness, we overran them on the weekend and I don’t think we were working as hard as we could’ve been at the start.
“Put that together with some of our positional changes we made and we were able to play that bit better.
“It’s the challenge for us at the moment to find the triggers to get them switched on at the start of the game.
“It is a great start to the season, though, wins are important.”
COVE 7.11 (53)
PORT NOARLUNGA 9.11 (65)
Port Noarlunga edged out Cove at Cove in a dour game, beating the Cobras by two goals away on Saturday.
Dylan Williams led the way for the Cockledivers with three goals in their 9.11 (65) to 7.11 (53) victory.
Skipper Michael Galley worked hard for Cove but was given little support.
Cobras coach Jed Wilson said the young players’ inexperience in tough conditions cost them the game.
“It was pretty tricky conditions, it was windy all day and they probably capitalised on some opportunities in front of goal and we missed a few easy ones.
“We also made some poor decisions at crucial times in the game which probably let us down and unfortunately it was another game we let slip away.
“With such a young group, it’s all about learning from our mistakes, training as hard as we can to build on fitness and skills and sticking to our structures.
“We are confident that if we can do that for four quarters then we’ll come away with a win.”
FLAGSTAFF HILL 10.10 (70)
HAPPY VALLEY 7.4 (46)
Four-times reining premiers Flagstaff Hill showed its poise under pressure to account for Happy Valley at home on Saturday.
The Falcons triumphed 10.10 (70) to 7.4 (46), despite trailing by a goal at three-quarter time.
Brad Kirk, Mark Hollis and Chris Puiati led the way for Flagstaff Hill.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, July 25
■ Noarlunga v Cove
■ Christies Beach v Flagstaff Hill
■ Happy Valley v Reynella
■ Port Noarlunga v Morphett Vale