The Whites showed up with a solid side of experience and fresh legs. For the whole 90 minutes of play the glamour didn't look like losing this one.

There was some great lead up work on a pitch resembling a toothpick in appearance. We lost the ref early, which was a shame and there are a few of us that need to take responsibility for this. I think the refs are going in a direction that is concentrating more on talkback than officiating the game and some of us need to adjust to this new outlook from the refs.

The forwards were getting some ball, but Immanuel had flooded the back line making it difficult for them to have time on it. Regardless of the lack of space, we still managed to have plenty of chances but the same old broken record was played far too much and we didn't capitalise on our chances. A great left foot strike by Juan brought us equal with Immanuel after our first half goal (yes you read it correctly, another own goal). It brought us into the game and we pushed hard for the winner. The backline remained solid with Heath handling everything that came his way with that assuredness that we have come to love from him. We hit the woodwork a couple of times and had some good opportunities to take the game but again we rushed our chances a bit.

In the end it was a draw that felt like a loss. We have a team of glamour that threatens to unleash on our opponents with the brilliant football we know we are capable of, we just need to find the key to unlock it. It's definitely around here somewhere.

LevTop

The A's took on Immanuel this week at their very small but nicely surfaced ground. In the corresponding fixture earlier in the season, we'd come away with a 90th minute winner after Jan was sensationally sent off for dissent and Scott had rattled in the winner off the crossbar.

Our inspirational captain Joe was obviously out, after his injury last game, but Sean Bushby made a welcome return to the midfield and the author (Saf) gained a rare A's start.

Early on things felt pretty even and Ryan and Nathan had already opened up the Immanuel defence a couple of times without quite getting into scoring range. In the midfield we looked pretty solid; with Sean and the big Wang looking comfortable on the ball.

About mid way through the first half though, we conceded a corner, and with a bevy of gigantic Immanuel hulks at the back post, the whites were caught out when a low corner came in at the near post. In the end, after a goal mouth scramble the ball found the back of the net... Down 1 nil and with a lot of work to do. For the remainder of the half, things were pretty even, although it felt as though we had the ascendancy and certainly Dan was not tested in goals.

At the half, 1 Nil down – Robin though was fairly upbeat – told us to keep playing our passing game and to keep holding the ball up and creating. We all realised 1 mistake had cost us, but we were confident we could break the deadlock.

1 change at the break, with Ryan having to leave early, this brought Russ onto the right, with brother Scott (or is it the other way around) being moved up front.

Scott immediately looked dangerous and after a good piece of play involving Sunny, Daniel and Sean, Scott hit a good shot wide. Soon after Scott was in the action again, rattling the crossbar from close range... but unlike earlier in the season, this time the ball stayed out.

Long soon came on to add some bulk up front and was released on the right, but his shot sailed high (perhaps could have threaded a ball through for Scott) but this was the last of our attacking forays. In the last 10-15 minutes, Immanuel fought their way back into the game and began playing it in our half, with Craig and Crab making a couple of excellent tackles deep inside our half.

When the final whistle blew, the result hadn't changed. A win by a single goal to Immanuel as we let another one slip.

Overall, we didn't play badly and Sunny and Sean especially had good games, but alas, not quite good enough...

SafTop

The C's returned to action this week after a 3-4 week lay off... The break has done wonders for out playing depth, as 5 new players got their first taste of uni whites action.

Robin started in goals, with Gunnar, Jason, Jonathan and Tony as the back 4. In front of them were Ben and Bram on the wings, with Kenneth and Peter A in the middle and Leo and Chester up front.

For the first 20 minutes or so, the Whites really played some attractive football, passing the ball well and releasing their wingers – Leo had 2 half chances, but couldn't quite manage to get a decent shot away.

Late in the half though, Sturt Marion had a little purple patch. Their first goal was a long range strike and this really sparked them into action.

By half time we were 4 nil down and the boys were a little shell shocked. What Sturt Marion did show was some great shooting, as virtually all their shots were not just on target, but also powerfully struck.

At half time Robin was actually fairly up beat – he reminded the guys that they were actually playing quite well and just told them to keep passing the ball around and chances would come.

At the break, as always, there were numerous changes, with Eric, Peter J, Solomon, Sam and Philip all coming on (Mai also came on soon after). After a pretty even first 10 minutes, a goal mouth scramble ended up with the ball at Peter Janicki's feet. He calmly chipped the ball over the keeper's head and the come back was on.

Soon after this, some nice work by Bram and then Sam on the right wing resulted in the ball falling to Chester, who made no mistake to slot home the goal 4-2.

Sturt Marion seemed a little rattled, when the keeper's kick in landed at Jason V's feet on the half way line – he looked up and booted the ball into the top right hand corner, for what is certainly goal of the year so far. 4-3 and the Whites had the momentum!

The boys tried hard to get the equaliser and perhaps in the end were caught over committing as Sturt Marion moved a nice piece of play down their right wing to score.

In the end though, there was a lot to like about this 5-3 loss – they boys could have easily dropped their bundle after half time, but instead showed real character to score 3 second half goals.

Most of the team played well, but special mentions go to Bram, Jonathan, Sam and Gunnar in their first appearances for the club, and also to Leo and Jason on their returns.

I also want to congratulate the goal scorers: Peter J, Chester and Jason – well done guys.

SafTop