Final Score: 1 - 0 [Halftime: 0-0]
Attendance: 4
CheckMeOut Squad: D. Klaver (G), L. Ashby - #8, M. Butler, L. McDonald - #2, C. Roussos - #5, A. Watson - #7
Scoring Summary:
CheckMeOut: 1st Half - Nil ;
2nd Half - A. Watson (2)
Goaltending:
| Name |
Minutes |
Shots |
Saves |
GA |
S% |
| D. Klaver |
30 |
13 |
13 |
0.00 |
1.000 |
| Gun |
30 |
16 |
15 |
1.00 |
.938 |
Summary:
A late goal from Watson ensures a late win for CheckMeOut.
Watson was not the only hero however, as goal keeper Klaver also claimed his first clean sheet of the season, and was the beneficiary of a strong team effort, which restricted Independant UTD to few good scoring chances.
After taking an unexpected break last week, CheckMeOut turned up ready to play. The first half was a tight defensive tussle with CheckMeOut earning the points defence-wise, with another strong game from McDonald at center back, who recieved good support from the entire team, and most importantly, his goalkeeper, who stopped everything he faced, albeit very little in the first half.
The second half was much more of the same, after a nervous first 6 minutes where Independant UTD took advantage of McDonald being subbed off by keeping most of the play in their attacking half, but CheckMeOut stood tall, with Ashby doing some unfamiliar time down in defence, proving a good relief defender.
When McDonald came back on, Ashby stayed back and may well have proved the difference in the end. The game continued into a stalemate affair until Watson was brought down for the second time by the same player. The offender recieved a yellow card, his second of the game after a similar challenge on Watson in the first half which reduced Independant UTD to just 4 men. To their credit they kept the pressure on until the break through came.
A failed clearing attempt by Independant found the now attacking McDonald in the dead center of the court, McDonald calmed the bouncing ball down and fired off a perfectly timed cannoning mid-air shot which was headed for the top right corner, forcing the goaltender to save. He failed to control the ball which dribbled towards Watson who stepped around the defender and the sprawling keeper and banged it into the back of the net, breaking a scoring drought for the CheckMeOut captain.
The goal was in the last 30 seconds, Independant tried to generate some forward thrusts but all were broken down, the whistle blew and the relief was clear. CheckMeOut had finally taken the 2 points.
Three Stars:
3rd Star: L. McDonald - Another strong game blocking shots, pestering the offence, general sledging and also providing the assist on the winning goal, from an uncharacteristicly good shot.
2nd Star: D. Klaver - Misses out on first star only marginally, played the second strongest game for the year, and was justly rewarded with a clean sheet.
1st Star: A. Watson - Breaks his scoring drought and proves to be a clutch player, steering CheckMeOut to their first win with a very late strike.
