Defensive Fever take a strong Phoenix side right to the end
This was always going to be a challenging encounter with Fever still bitter from Mannam drawing level to secure a 2-2 draw last season, courtesy of a goal scored with a hand, and both teams having heavily reinforced their squads over the summer.
Fever again had to make do without several key plays, such as Matt Silva and James Merritt to name a few, and other members of the starting line-up agreed to play while carrying significant injuries. These included Sebastian Auger, last week’s man of the match Andrew Muir and Captain Filip Pusnik with a trio of thigh strains. Carl Garthwaite was also returning to the side, although he was still struggling with a rib injury picked up in pre-season.
Fever again had to make do without several key plays, such as Matt Silva and James Merritt to name a few, and other members of the starting line-up agreed to play while carrying significant injuries. These included Sebastian Auger, last week’s man of the match Andrew Muir and Captain Filip Pusnik with a trio of thigh strains. Carl Garthwaite was also returning to the side, although he was still struggling with a rib injury picked up in pre-season.
The game kicked off and immediately went into a high tempo with Mannam having much more of the early possession. Fever struggled to get hold of the ball, but were defending well, repelling numerous Mannam attacks, with central defenders Lappin and Argueta switched on and alert to the danger. However, Fever were soon forced into a change as Andrew Muir had to be withdrawn with what looked like to be a fairly innocuous injury, but later turned out to be severe knee damage. Next to go was Jaemin Kim, who was impressing with his energy and enthusiasm in the midfield, but luckily his injury wasn’t too bad and he was able to return later in the match. Chances were at a premium for Fever throughout the game, in the first period in particular, but Emile De Vos continued to work hard and drive at the defence in his lone-striker role. Auger and Fannin were getting overrun on the centre of midfield and when Fever eventually broke down Mannam attacks they were unable to find the right pass and instead went for the long ball, but this proved futile and as soon as their lines were cleared, Mannam built another attack. Even though they came close with a few dangerous through balls and crosses, Mannam were unable to break the Fever defence, thanks also in a large part to keeper Paul Jones’ heroics, and the opening period drew to a close all square.
Fever withdrew Captain Pusnik at the interval after a committed all action display, as he began to feel the effects of his groin injury, another blow to Fever’s cause. The second period started much like the first, with Mannam controlling the opening stages, showing great movement and neat passing, and before too long they finally broke the deadlock as their left winger wriggled free, got to the by-line cut inside and drilled the ball home from a tight angle. Fever responded well, stringing a few passes together for the first time and raising their effort levels a noticeable 10%, and before too long they were back in the game. Auger picked up the ball from Kevin Kim in a central position, side stepping past a challenge before playing in Jaemin who in turn found the marauding De Vos who then cut inside on his favoured right foot and let fly with a stunning strike from 25 yards out which crashed against the underside of the bar and into the net, leaving the keeper with no chance. A thoroughly deserved goal for an industrious performance from the Dutchman, and surely an early contender for goal of the season. Game on. This ushered in Fevers most positive part of the game as they found a bit of rhythm, after 40 minutes of Mannam dominance, but they couldn’t add another goal before the second period finished with the scores tied 1-1.
Entering the third period it was anyones game. The Mannam players clearly had the edge in terms of stamina, but Fever weren’t about to roll over, and were out doing them in terms of guts and determination. After a bright start to the period, Fever began to fade and Mannam looked the more likely. Midway through the period Fever finally became unstuck from a set piece as a deep corner was initially headed out, before fortuitously falling to a Mannam attacker who scrambled the ball home. Fever continued to commit men forward in search of an equalizer, and Pallos Levente came closest to restoring parity with an effort flashing just wide after a neat break. The game fizzled out and Mannam claimed a deserved victory, but Fever can take heart from a gutsy team performance and hope to add some points on the board next week. The man of the match award was a close call this week, with either Jones in goal, De Vos up front or the two centre backs being worthy recipients, but the award was given to Dan Lappin who put his body on the line for the team and lead from the back with the determination and commitment that manager Dennis Byrne would surely love the rest of his team to adopt week in week out.