PCYC Parramatta Eagles v St George

Two goals in the space of sixty seconds just before half time effectively won the game for PCYC Parramatta against St George on Sunday. Kutaiba Elrich notched the first, after Saints keeper Daniel Nash was just beaten in a race for the ball and then an unfortunate own goal by Saints captain Simon Verrender a minute later gave Parramatta a two goal cushion at the break. Parramatta though had been dominant for most of the half with Daniel Fogarty having two good chances but failing to convert. Shayne Ardle also had an excellent chance and really should have done better with his clear shot on goal. But the Saints backline, led by Verrender, had held firm in the face of the Eagles pressure and it looked like the defences of both teams would continue to hold sway. But the two quick goals meant a change of plan for Saints coach Nick Orlic, who brought on Diego Celini just after the break to add impetus to the attack. Indeed, the Saints took command of the game for the opening twenty minutes of the second half as they sought to get themselves back in the game, but despite plenty of possession, and at times, some panic in the Eagles backs, they were unable to breach the goal. It was against the run of play that Parramatta sealed the game with their third. Daniel Borg doing well to hammer the ball home. After that, the game was Parramatta’s although Ryo Maekawa severely tested Anthony Costa, who pulled off a superb reflex save from Maekawa’s header. PCYC Parramatta Eagles 3 (Kutaiba Elrich 40’, Simon Verrender o.g. 41’, Daniel Borg 65’) v St George 0. By Peter Rowney