Cravia Cubs delivered an impressive performance to come out with their first point of the 2015 DUSL Summer League as well as their first ever point against OMS. A much needed change of formation to 4-5-1 allowed the Cubs to take control of the ball for long periods of the game and it also stopped the common occurence of them being found short in the midfield area. This tweak was helped greatly by the return of Michael Sword (let's be honest he'll always be a Cub at heart) to the starting lineup and the indutsrial as ever shift he put in. This saw captain AJC shifted out onto the right hand side of midfield where he still managed to find himself two goals. Jack Brebner led the Cubs attack and provided a lot of options for those behind him while also bagging two goals with one of them joining Phils Sim's effort last week as a goal of the season contender. The Cubs' back four remained unchanged to start with and once again were very comfortable in possesion as well commanding in the air. Today also saw the debut of the club's latest signing in the form of Robbie Small who had a tremendous half an hour before picking up an injury which hopefully won't be two serious as the wide man already looks like he could be a vital addition in the remaining fixtures.
Despite a very positive start from the Cubs it was OMS that took the lead but despite the setback this thankfully did not change the way the former Shield winers approached the game as they continued to play on the front foot. An arrowed through ball from Player-Manager Stephen found Brebner on the half way line with the OMS defenders caught napping there was only going to be one outcome and the Cubs had drawn level. Soon after a very positivie run from Batchelor drew a crunching foul in the box that gave captain Jamieson-Caley the opportunity to maintain his Cristiano Ronaldo like goal to game ratio and it was an opportunity that the skipper made the most of as the Cubs came from behind to lead the match. OMS managed to pull the game level once again just before halftime but it was an encouraging start for the men in purple.
The Cubs' once again took the lead thanks to a Batchelor - Jamieson-Caley combination after another piercing run by the former while the latter provided both a finish and celebration that Robbie Keane would have been proud of. Despite the positive start once again to the half a freak Cubs own goal brought the back and forth contest level once again. This was not the end of the scoring however as Brebner thundered home yet another Cubs goal that gave the OMS keeper absolutely no chance. A first victory against OMS wasn't to be though as they once again equalised towards the end of the ninety minutes and despite a last minute effort from Baird as well as a Brebner effort that agonisingly hit the post. Ending a game dissapointed with a draw is a positive however as it shows just how well we can actually play. On a personal level, Mejka and Eggo were also delighted to pick up a positive result against their original fresher side.
Man of the Match: David Batchelor
A poll after the game sees Batchy pick up his second award in a row. He once again had a fantastic game and the propsect of a future side with him and Small on the wings is mouth watering!
