Beachlands Valiant v AS Lossi

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 19:43

Beachlands give valiant display against New Caledonia's top division team AS Lossi

By Teri Doran

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Photos courtesy Graeme Matthews 

Despite losing 5-2 against top level Super Ligue team AS Lossi, Beachlands first team delighted fans with a great performance in their first ever international football match.

The pre-season friendly encounter at Beachlands domain against a well organised top level professional side was packed full of action.

In the first 15 minutes AS Lossi dominated, showing their quality with some good passing and possessional play.

Just 12 minutes into the game the visitors had a few good efforts on target only to be stopped by quality goal keeping from Adam Mathews.

However, the dead lock was broken 19 minutes into the first half as a cleverly worked combination of passes by the visitors found Wahyiamalla in the box to drive home the opener from close range.

Moments later Beachlands found themselves on the back foot once more as Wahyiamalla popped up again to drive home As Lossi's second goal despite Cooks effort to clear the ball off the line.

The home side were still trying to get a foot hold in the game when four minutes later another opportunity from the visitors saw Lihy Wadou find the back of the net.

After the third goal Beachlands fought their way back into the game with a stunning solo effort by centre half Brian Preston who picked up the ball in the centre circle and drove through the heart of the Lossi midfield and defence to fire off a mid-range effort which narrowly passed the post.

The pressure continued from AS Lossi as they pushed to increase their goal tally but Mathews continued to display great form in the goals, producing three fantastic saves in the latter stages of the first half preventing AS Lossi's goal count increasing.

Just before half-time, the home side were delivered a blow as their key playmaker and captain Schomaker went down on the half way line with an ankle injury and was replaced by Caid Szopa.

Szopa made an immediate impact producing some great runs down the left handside and breaking up play, stopping Lossi advancing on a possible fourth goal.

The home side started off the second half with a new sense of urgency and treated the local support to the same positive play that they had seen in the last part of the first half.

Walker who replaced Mathews in the goals was tested within the first 10 minutes producing two quality saves and another crucial stop shortly after when his quick thinking made sure he met the ball before the advancing Lossi striker, hitting the ball high up the field and away from danger.

Lossi continued the pressure on the Beachlands goal, but the defensive awareness of Preston saw these efforts cleared.

Despite these best efforts from the home team Lossi managed to net their fourth goal when Passa scored from a corner kick 12 minutes into the second half.

Local fans were given reason to cheer 23 minutes into the second half when the home team got themselves on the scoreboard with a well worked goal. Ben Taylor re-acted to a quick pass from Reid Szopa and without hesitation hit the ball first time past the towering Lossi keeper. The big keeper was left rooted to the spot and could only watch as the low drive hit the back of the net.

Team captain Schomaker re-entered the field of play and his quick feet and hard work paid off as with only 10 minutes of the game remaining the club captain out muscled the Lossi defence and managed to break free and score Beachland's second goal.

At 4-2 Beachlands deserved their well fought place back in the game. However, were undone when Lossi found the break on a long ball over the top allowing Passa to slot home his second goal making the score 5-2.

But the drama was not over when Beachlands striker Tim Alderdice, who had replaced Ben Taylor, broke down an attacking move in the centre of the park and sent Schomaker bearing down on the Lossi goals. The captain's spectacular effort rebounded off the upright directly into the path of Alderice who had followed in support. Convinced like the home crowd of a certain goal Alderdice could do little more than throw his body at the ball, but unfortunately couldn't direct the stray ball into the net. Magnificent attacking play by the local striker who deserved to see his name on the score sheet, but it wasn't to be.

"They had a better team but hats of to the boys for giving it a good shot. We made 3 mistakes and gave them an early lead. If it hadn't been for those errors it could have been a lot closer," said Anthony Schomaker, Beachlands captain.

"I should have scored two, but that's the way the cookie crumbles".

Despite the defeat, Beachlands can be proud of their performance against a well organised professional team and fans can look forward to some more great displays when the season gets underway in April.

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