Another Defeat, but further improvements made!
On Saturday 4th February, we took on Eagle Claw FC in our third game of the 2023 AFL Men’s League Season. Yes, the result of this game went against us meaning our third straight defeat but the overall performance from the lads was our best of the season thus far!
In a bright opening by ourselves in this match, the first real action of any note came in the 6th minute when Jordan Deans shot over the Eagle Claw bar. Four minutes later, our opponents launched an attack on our goal, but Nat Gumbs was on hand to thwart the danger. Our opponents then flashed a free kick across our goal before taking the lead in the 31st minute courtesy of a fine individual strike by Tajay Johnson. A good goal but coming slightly against the run of play with our boys enjoying long periods of possession.
Eagle Claw doubled their lead in the 33rd minute through that man Johnson again! Another great goal it must be said, this time rifling a powerful shot into the top corner of Darian Carty’s goal from fully 25 yards out. Credit must be given to our lads as we rolled our sleeves up and fought away back into the game just five minutes later when Delani Francis converted from the penalty spot – game on!
We were now right back in the game but shortly before the half time whistle, Eagle Claw increased their lead when Sean Browne produced an acrobatic finish over his head and into the goal.
Half Time Score: Uprising 1-3 Eagle Claw
It was important we made a good start to the second half, and we did exactly that when in the 48th minute Delani Francis scored his second goal of the game, this time with a superb run past several defenders before finishing with a well-placed shot into the bottom right corner of the goal! Delani was on fire and looked to be a danger every time he got the ball, sadly this came to an end in the 64th minute when he received an injury and had to leave the field, being replaced by Rachad Thomas.
We continued to push forward at every opportunity and in the 83rd minute went close to levelling matters when Asharn Hodge headed narrowly wide of the target following a cross into the Eagle Claw box.
Deep into injury time, Sean Browne for Eagle Claw was sent off for a second bookable offence, his second infringement injuring Rachad Thomas who could not continue.
In one last effort to grab an equalizer, we pushed everyone forward, including goalkeeper Darian Carty for a set piece. Jordan Deans floated the ball into the area, but it was cleared by our opponents who hung on to their advantage and claimed all three points.
So, another defeat but a superb performance which will provide us with much confidence as we progress through the rest of the campaign.
POTM – Delani Francis: A fine individual performance capped off by two well taken goals.