The Western captain, Danny James lost the toss today and the teams switched round. Western started the game strong, they played simple football and played some great one-twos. Western were seeing most of the possession and going forward well. It wasnt long before Western got the lead through Rob Zekeski. Neil Worley did well, and played a great ball through to him and Malthouse defence were left standing and Zeleski finished well. Malthouse restarted the game and their only threat it seemed was their centre midfeilder who ran with the ball well, and Western would have to cut him out if they were going to keep their lead. Western continued to control the play and Rob Taylor pumped a ball up the pitch and it looked as though the opposing keeper would gather it easilly, but Rob Zeleski didnt think so and chased a lost cause, only to beat the keeper to it and find himself infront of an open goal, 2 - 0 to Western. It seemed like Western were going to run away with the game as they outplayed Malthouse. They almost added a third, Craig James started some great one touch passes and the ball eventually found Neil Worley, he skillfully flick it on back into the path of Craig James through on goal, but he scooped the ball miles high of the target. Western didnt stop their, Scott Brownridge made a great run with the ball and passed it out wide and a cross was put in and once again the Malthouse defence switched off and Brownridge continued his run and had a shot just inside the 18, only for a malthouse player to come from no where and make a great sliding block. Shortly after this Malthouse had a golden chance to get back in the game when they counter attacked well, but Rob Taylor came out best with his one on one with the opposing striker. The ref now called time on an eventful half. The second half kicked off and Malthouse had changed to a more attacking formation. They came straight at the Western defence and Western had to drop deeper. Malthouse were desperately looking for a goal and pinned Western back in their own half but didnt produce anything in the final third. Westerns only chances came from counter attacks and Paul Marson latched onto a good through ball and found himself with loads of time but struck it straight at the keeper. Malthouse constantly launched the ball forward but as in previous weeks, Westerns defence could not be broken down. The best chance for Malthouse came when their wide man dribbled into the box and Western were caught ball watching and the ball found its way through to their striker, 6 yards out but luckily for Western he sliced it and it went for a goal kick. Crosses kept coming in and Brad Allen mis controlled it, but Rob Taylor was their to pick it up but the ref judged this to be a pass back. Malthouse took their freekick just outside the 6 yard and struck it hard and low straight at the Western wall on the goal line. Malthouse started giving silly freekicks away through frustration, and Western were happy for this. Full Time, Western 2, Malthouse 0. Great first half performance from Western and although they invited pressure second half, defended outstandingly.
