Broulee edges Moruya Swans

Bottom of the table Moruya Swans were at home to the Broulee Stingrays, who were looking to keep in touch with league leaders Bodalla.

With a heavy track due to the wet weather through the week, both teams needed to control possession and take their opportunities when they arise.

From the outset a feisty but fair battle in the middle of the park limited chances, as neither team was able to stamp their authority on the game. The sodden pitch played its part with too many passes from both teams not finding their man and being cut out easily.

Broulee’s left side, left back Ken Brown and left half Alex Filmer-Smith were working well together and linking up with the strikers to create some space and opportunities though the Swans players of Luke Roberts and Arlo Crowley did well to nullify these threats, with only a few long crosses the end result.

The first real opportunity fell to the Swans however, with striker Jack Gynne being fed from midfield and put through on goal all too easily right through the middle of the Stingrays defence only for Gynne to take just a bit too much time when an early shot would have been ideal.

Not long after Broulee rattled the crossbar from a corner, two former Moruya players linked up for the Stingrays, with Will Davis’ inch perfect set piece finding the head of Roy Booker whose glancing front post header hitting the crossbar in what would have been unfortunate for the Swans on the balance of play up until then.

As the game progressed, some half chances for both sides were had but nothing of any substance until the telling blow came for the Swans in the form of a neat through ball around the edge of the area for Booker to latch onto and coolly slot his strike past the Moruya Keeper, Ryan Staunton.

Following the goal the Swans lifted and they kept pressuring down there left hand side with Crowley linking up well with his teammates, whilst the Stingrays midfield was being stretched and gaps were starting to appear.

With half time in sight, a Broulee throw-in in the final third from Davis once again found the head of Booker, this time Booker glancing it into the path of the oncoming Rhys Graham to half volley his shot with him non preferred left foot into the roof of the net from near the penalty spot.

Half time – Broulee 2 – Moruya Swans 0.

After the halftime talks both teams came out with purpose with the Swans desperate to get back into the game. They pressed well in the midfield with Roberts and Crowley not giving the Stingrays midfield much time on the ball and turning the ball over regularly and providing their forwards with some service that was thwarted by the Stingrays central defenders of Liam Shanahan and Dane Skou.

Regular substitutions for both teams were made throughout the second half but had little impact on the increase in quality of the game.

Broulee were beginning to slow the play down and recycle their possession at every opportunity and move the Swans players around whilst the Swans were prepared to move the ball quickly, with some good link up work on a number of occasions between Ligin Joy and Praveen Thakkedeth down their left hand side.

A few half chances were had as the half progressed most notably from Lachlan Cowie and Simon Perks from the Stingrays from Broulee, whose long range shot were well wide when a near open goal was available with Swans keeper Staunton playing a very high line.

There were strong performances for Broulee from Dane Skou in defence who mopped up well at the back and Rob Booker and Will Davis providing the creativity in the middle and up front, whilst Swans keeper Ryan Staunton made some crucial saves and Arlo Crowley, Ryan Gynne and Luke Roberts all gave good showings to give the Swans some hope for next week.

Full Time – Broulee 2 – Moruya Swans 0

This week’s Friday night (16 th ) double header sees the competition move to Dalmeny oval, Dalmeny, with the league leading Bodalla Bulls taking on the Moruya Swans, whilst Broulee take on Moruya Blue.

Games are at 6:00pm and 7:45pm with a BBQ sausage sizzle running all night.