Mornington v Keysborough

MORNINGTON FORCED TO SETTLE FOR A DRAW

Mornington 0, Keysborough 0

Another glorious day greeted the players for the last game of the season as Mornington faced off against early season favourites Keysborough.

A win would allow Mornington to finish fifth on the ladder and they attacked from the start through forward Tommy Carmichael who shot just wide in the first moments of the game.

David Price was next to try his luck when he bustled his way through the Keysborough defence only to shoot weakly at the awaiting Keysborough keeper.

The action continued only moments later when Matthew Wright headed powerfully from a James Copley corner to force Keysborough keeper into a magnificent diving save.

Wright was again on hand when he headed agonisingly wide from another pin-point Copley corner kick.

Keysborough were offering little resistance although they should have gone up when their winger broke free and crossed only to see the ball missed by three players as it bounced along the goal line.

Mornington then had their best chance of the match when the lively Carmichael was upended in the box and a penalty was awarded. To the delight of the Keysborough crowd a nervous Copley sprayed the resultant penalty just wide of the upright.

The second-half continued in the same vein as the first as Price powered his header just over the cross bar from close range.

Johnny Watson was next to come close when his 30 yard pile driver flashed just wide of the upright.

Mornington then had two shots saved on the line when first Price and then Andrew Brophy both shot goal wards only to see lunging clearances from the Keysborough defence.

It appeared as though Mornington would finally gain the upper hand when Mitch rounded the keeper only to see the ball roll out of play with an open goal beckoning.

With five minutes to play Keyborough should have gone into the lead when their forward broke free only to have his weak shot saved by Daniel Harrison.

The game finished in controversy when Keysborough had a player sent off as the final whistle sounded and both teams had to be content with a nil all draw.

After a sluggish start to the season coach Andrew Brophy was ‘pleased with the work rate of all players’ and happy to finish the first season in Provisional two in the top half of the ladder.