By Andrew Woolley
Round one vs Eastern Eels Away:
Yarra Valley Men’s First team kicked off the season away at Eastern Eels, with Round one being played at Town Park, Croydon.
The match started sharply, with both sets of players eager to get their first touches for the year and put in their first tackles too.
With both fixtures last year ending in draws, it was an even contest for the first few minutes, until a late tackle led to an ankle injury to Valley’s youngest starting player, Fergus Smith, who was unable to take part further in the game.
An early substitution saw Winjo Williams take his place up front.
Eels drew first blood, with striker Tattersall hitting a low shot that deflected off the boot of Valley’s Joel Ryan, and left keeper Aden Kerridge wrongfooted as it spun into the goal.
It was virtually Eels’ first attack of the game and against the run of play.
Having scored early, Eels grew into the game and Valley now had to withstand a period of pressure from their hosts, until the 30 minute mark where new signing Mitch Anderson came on in the place of Jack Eyssens in the attacking positions.
Mitch spurred the Valley on, with plenty of attacks coming down his left-hand side of the field, and we had the ball in the net courtesy of Josh Tomlinson, before it was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, a cross-come-shot from Anderson saw the parity restored with a great strike from out wide, making an instant impact.
Valley looked the stronger team going into halftime, until a miscommunication from Brandon Watson and Kerridge in the defensive penalty area, saw Tattersall once again punish the Valley back line.
Half time, 2-1 to the hosts.
Valley started the second half with fresh legs in the form of youngster Alex Ronalds up top, with Eyssens returning to the fray.
A quick tactical change saw captain and talisman Eamonn Kinsella move into the heart of the midfield, leading to a period of high pressure from Anderson and Eyssens.
Valley had several chances in short succession, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third to make it count.
Until player-coach Tervel Atanasov stepped up with a calm effort from 25 yards out to pass the ball into the bottom corner, where the opposition goalkeeper was unsighted and unable to keep it out.
Scores back level at 2-2 with 30 minutes to play.
Some tactical adjustments were made, with Valley changing personnel and formation, utilizing a 3-4-3 to showcase the young talent of Gus Vukman and Liam Spicer on the wings.
With 20 minutes to play, Valley were suddenly back on top and looked much likelier to score.
All the possession was dominated by Oscar Lyons and Kinsella in the middle of the park, with the changed centreback pairing of Caleb Serci and Joel Ryan, who had been solid all game, mopping up any counter attacking threat.
It seemed only a matter of time before the boys in navy blue would find a way through, but it wasn’t to be.
Eels hit on the counterattack, with a long ball in behind that saw Tattersall complete his hattrick as he knocked it tantalizingly close to Kerridge, who couldn’t keep Eels from re-taking the lead with less than five minutes to play.
A late bad tackle on Williams saw him take his marching orders for a red card for retaliation, before Eels sealed the final score of 4-2 with a 90 minute strike after a mix up in the Valley midfield.
Whilst it wasn’t to be, there were plenty of positives to take into next week’s clash against Doncaster Rovers, who visit the home ground of Millgrove in Round two.
Valley look much improved compared to last season, which saw them finish 8th and narrowly avoid relegation.
They will be looking to bounce back and move up the ladder in just seven days’ time.
Reserves:
The reserves team started the season with an away game to Easter Eels in Croydon.
Led by James Wolf and Francis DeVarga as captain and vice captain, the team started well in the first five minutes scoring through returning recruit Jack Rinke.
The first half was total domination from Yarra Valley with chances coming and going via Georgie Lyons, Jack Rinke again, Alex Ronalds and Thomas Mills.
A squandered opportunity from Paul Healey five minutes before the end of the first half should’ve seen us going into the half time break 2-0, but from a mere three meters out Eastern’s goalkeeper pulled off an incredible reflex save to keep the score at 1-0.
Changes were made going into the second half with Finlay Kerridge, Josh Allender and Aden Kerridge getting decent minutes and with fresh legs on the pitch, Yarra Valley took control once again with a lot of
creativity in the midfield and some solid defensive work from the skipper and his deputy in the back four along with Allender and Hugo Concalves.
Liam Spicer playing his first game between the sticks was a memorable one as he kept a clean sheet and with Yarra Valley walking away with the chocolates, 1-0 at the end.
Next Game Saturday 12 April.
Round two has all senior mens and womens playing at home at Millgrove Recreation Reserve.
Please come on down and support.
Yarra Valley First and Reserves Vs Doncaster Rovers: 1pm and 3pm
Yarra Valley Women Vs Bayswater Women: 1pm
Yarra Valley Thirds Vis Doncaster Rovers: 3pm
