Noble Park v Mornington

BAILEY BRACE ENSURES MORNINGTON SHARE THE SPOILS

Mornington 2 (Bailey 2), Noble Park 2 (Djurovic 2)

Mornington played their third away game in a row when they faced off against winless Noble Park at Norman Luth Reserve.

From the first whistle it was apparent that this was to be an open and tough affair, with a total of eight yellow cards and one red card setting the tone for the day.

It was Noble Park who opened their account on the ten-minute mark when Djurovic drove the ball into the bottom corner of the goals after three Mornington defenders failed to clear a bouncing ball on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Mornington responded immediately when a teWierik cross found an unmarked Bailey in the box whose powerful header flew just over the crossbar.

End-to-end football then ensued until Bailey made a darting run into the box only to be dragged to the ground; the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty that Bailey coolly converted.

Noble Park then played their best football of the game stringing together a number of passes that culminated in a flowing move down the right side that enabled Djurovic to free himself up in the middle of the ground and slot home for a 2-1 lead.

Mornington were sparked into life once again and relentlessly attacked the Noble Park goals with Thomas coming close on a number of occasions.

It took until the 44th minute for Mornington to get back on even terms when Bailey rose high in the box to head home from a Watson corner kick ensuring that both teams went into half time on level pegging.

After the goal flurry of the first half the spectators would have been hoping for more in the second half however this was not to be as both teams were unwilling to commit too many men forward.

The highlight of the half came when Copley streamed down the left wing leaving four Noble Park defenders in his wake only to have his shot come smashing back off the upright.

Noble Park finished the game happy to pick up their first points of the campaign with Mornington disappointed that defensive errors once again cost them the three points.

This Saturday Mornington host ladder leaders Scotch Old Boys for their first home game of the season.