The Cygnet Football Club played host to the Brighton Football club in perfect football conditions after a week of constant rain. Surprisingly, the ground presented in very good condition, and was quite firm on the surface for all three games.
The Colts .... kicked of the day with a light frost on the ground. Overnight wind had dried the ground out considerably. The young Brighton side started the game well but the Port youngsters were determined to keep with them. The Port welcomed back Daniel Donato for his first game of the season. While the Cygnet youngsters battled hard all day and played some really good passages of play, Brighton appeared to be a little taller and stronger around the ground overall. It was a brave effort from the young Cygnet side and they are improving weekly under Sam Warren’s guidance.
The final winning margin by Brighton probably did not do the Port youngsters justice, but well done to the young Robins on an impressive victory.
Most pundits probably thought the Reserves match might have been a bit of a one sided affair given the current ladder standings, but the Port were fired up for a big effort on their home soil and managed to keep within striking distance all day of the Robins.
The Cygnet side welcomed back Marcus Synnott for his first game in a few years. Losing two other key players before the match to the Seniors hurt the Ports firepower on the ball and up forward, but the Robins probably had a touch of fitness and more avenues to goal than the Port, and went on to record a well deserved 29 point victory. As coach Brett Direen pointed out to his side in his post match address, the improvement in the side every week is noticeable, and with key players returning over coming weeks, the boy’s will need to keep on the track to hold their spots.
The central engine room ... Gerard Brereton, Bradley Watson and Rhys Jennings ... led all day
The Seniors went into their match massive under-dogs to most tipsters but Coach Matt Tyrrell had them fired up during the week to rectify their very ordinary performance against Lindisfarne.
The playing group actually went in holding confidence that if they followed structures and team rules they could win the match on their home turf. They bolted out of the blocks almost stunning the Robins with their clean skills and decisive ball movement. They slammed on 5 goals to 1 point to hold a good lead at quarter time.
The Port continued their good work in the second term and kicked 6 goals. However, four goals to Brighton, especially two late in the term gave the Brighton faithful hope at the long break.
Brighton came out a different side in the third term and threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Port as they started to get their running game going kicking sig goals to the Ports one. The Port held a 14 point lead at three quarter time but the Robins were storming home and held all momentum.
The last quarter can only be described as a thriller for the big crowd in attendance. A late goal to Shaun Bird looked to have the Port home but the Robins pressed time and time again and closed the game to one point with minutes to go. The Port held on bravely to pull off a great win against all the odds.