BLUE LAKE TAKES THE POINTS

The game started in terrible conditions at Malseed Park.
Portland took the field with a new look side and was hoping to start the season off with an away from home win. Blue Lake had other ideas and went in close to full strength with the notable absence of Callum Ferguson. The game got under way with nerves and conditions making it hard to play fluent soccer. The game seesawed for the first 20 minutes or so until Blue Lake gained the edge in the midfield with Davison, Walters Mcrostie and Chatindara starting to find their feet. The Blues made a number of chances but weren’t able to finish off in front of goals, until Mitch Thomson opened his and Blue Lakes account. Soon after Michael Walters latched onto a loose ball and slammed home from close range. The Blues were in full swing now and solid defence led by captain Strachan, Reiner, Domaschenz and Loosz produced many attacking moves with Guess and Thomson causing many headaches for the Portland defence with their speed. Not to be outdone Portland got back into the game and scored two goals in quick succession to get back into the game. The Blues looked rattled at this stage and if not for some bad finishing and some brilliant goalkeeping by Armandi things could have been worse. Just before the stroke of half time a long ball caught the Portland defence out and Guess and Thomson raffled it before Thomson slotted it calmly past the Portland keeper to go in 3-2 up at the break
The second half started and the Blues were determined to make amends for their lack of concentration late in the first half and had more steel about their game. The Portland team looked like they were running out of steam and without subs on the bench they were struggling. The Blues took advantage of this and were well on top when Guess after a number of squandered chances finally made one count with a cool finish past the keeper. Blue Lake kept up the pressure and could have scored many more but for wasteful finishing and some fine close in saves by the Portland keeper (who was their best player). Youngster Alex Domachenz capped off a fine day when he slotted a 22 yard piledriver into the roof of the net. Mitchell Thomson scored soon after to get his hat trick. The Blues then had some bad luck with a serious knee injury to playmaker Walters. The Blues used the bench late bringing on young Beau Branstone, Anthony Davison (first game back for 10 years) and Damien Ferguson (his debut game for Blue Lake). Although total domination by this time another lapse allowed Portland to grab a consolation goal late in the game.

Final scores Blue Lake 6 defeated Portland 3
best for Blue Lake
Kyle Reiner
Mitchell Thomson
Michael Davison
Justin Mcrostie