Championship League

McKillop 5 d MR Scorpions 1

THE Scorpions travelled to Busselton on yet another stunning winter day for the last game of the league competition, knowing that a draw or a win would see them through to the Cup competition.

The team was complete for only the second time this season, and was captained by returned all-rounder Josiah Harney.

The team lacked some focus during warm-up and was obviously nervous.

Nevertheless, the Scorpions started strongly.

In the sixth minute, a beautiful pass by winger Henry Rogers found Mehdi Balkhi unmarked in front of McKillop’s goal, and the effective forward made no mistake to put the visiting team in front.

The Margaret River jubilation was heard miles away.

Unfortunately, the team then took the foot of the pedal and allowed McKillop lots of space in midfield.

A characteristic defensive blunder allowed McKillop an easy equaliser in the ninth minute.

Eight minutes later, the home side went ahead after the Margaret River defence again failed to clear a dangerous situation.

In the 19th minute, Mehdi Balkhi again outran the McKillop backline.

His shot however was saved by the strong McKillop keeper.

The game was an even affair by now with fierce battles all over the pitch.

In the 29th minute, a McKillop forward out-sprinted the Margaret River backline.

His shot just snuck past the post to give the home side a comfortable lead.

From the kick-off however, Michael Ashton, Kane Duggan and Henry Rogers brought the ball forward, and first Lewis Hayes, then Mehdi Balkhi missed clear scoring opportunities.

Half time and an urgent call by the coach to settle down, control the ball and wait for the right opportunity.

However, McKillop extended the lead straight after the kick-off in the 32nd minute.

Despite desperate attacking by the Scorpions, that last touch, that last ball just did not happen.

In the 41st minute, McKillop sealed the Scorpions’ fate with a fifth goal.

The Scorpions controlled the rest of the game and were unlucky not to find the back of the net again.

The team came off the pitch distraught and disappointed.

Team photos were taken to lift the spirit.

As it turned out however, due to the surprise defeat of GMAS, the Scorpions made it into the Knock-Out Cup after all, playing the quarter final this Saturday morning in Margaret River.

The player-of-the-match awards went to the captain Josiah Harney and proven defender Mitchell Winstanley.

Well done.