Mornington v Noble Park

LATE GOALS SEAL VICTORY FOR MORNINGTON

Mornington 2 (Brophy, Copley), Noble Park 0

A late flurry of goals saved Mornington’s blushes when they faced off against cellar dwellers Noble Park on a wintry day at Dallas Brooks Park.

Mornington dominated the match from the outset and an early Copley shot was well saved by what would turn out to be an inspired performance from the Noble Park keeper.

Only five minutes later Copley was again on the end of some good build up play only to be denied again from close range.

Mornington then settled into an attacking rhythm with opportunities falling to Dobson who headed just wide and then to Price who saw his shot shave the post.

Copley again forced himself into the action when he collected a ball out wide and ran thirty yards only to see his pile driver flash past the upright.

Five minutes later Coach Brophy’s claims for a penalty were waved away by the referee and Noble Park went on the attack.

A slip from sweeper Johnny Watson almost gifted Noble Park an easy goal however goalkeeper Waite was up to the challenge, diving to push the ball wide of the upright.

With the scores remaining deadlocked at half time Brophy urged his chargers to keep pushing forward knowing it would only be a matter of time before the breakthrough came.

Mornington continued to mount the pressure and were unlucky not to go up when a sliding Price just pushed the ball wide of the goals.

Noble Park’s keeper then pulled off a double save to again deny Mornington’s frustrated forwards.

Mornington’s best chance came shortly after when Price found teWierik who ran clear from his opponent and pushed his short wide with only the keeper to beat.

Young Jason O’Dea was then introduced into the fray and found himself free on goals only to shoot agonisingly wide.

With the game slipping out of Mornington’s grasp it was Brophy who broke the deadlock when he received the ball on the edge of the box, turned two opponents and finally beat the keeper with a left foot strike.

Copley then made it two when he curled his ball into the back post from distance after a poor defensive clearance.

Mornington travel to ladder leaders Old Scotch this weekend looking to continue their good form and close the gap on the top teams as the season nears its end.