After a promising first half of the season where we found ourselves consolidating a place in the top five, the second half has been very disappointing.

 

Following a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Campbelltown we travelled to Western Strikers ground for what was going to be a very difficult away game.

 

The first 15 to 20 minutes we struggled to gain any decent possession, giving the ball away too easily. Shortly after, a corner played in from the left was turned into his own goal by a strikers defender to give us an undeserved 1-0 lead. This goal allowed us to settle down and finally take control of the game.

 

Goals in the second half from McNab and Bryant gave us what we thought at the time was an unbeatable 3-0 lead.

 

A lapse in concentration with 25 minutes to go saw us concede a penalty and from there lost all composure, stopped playing as a team, conceding another three goals to lose 4-3.

 

The following week again took us away from home, this time at Metro Stars where only one point seperated ourselves and Metro, a win pushing us back into the top five.

 

In very difficult windy conditions, Metro controlled long periods of the first half with Cumberland stuggling to maintain any kind of possession.

 

15 minutes from the end of the first half a fine reflex save from our goalkeeper Cody Larkin unfortunately fell into the path of a Metro forward to take us in at half time 1-0 down.

 

Two changes were made at half time, bringing on Liam Dandy and young u/17 player Matt Charalambous.

 

Matt made an immediate impression on the game creating chances for himself and giving the forward setup much needed energy and enthusiasm.

 

To our teams credit their performance lifted allowing us to dominate for much of the second half but without any reward of an equaliser.

 

 With five minutes to go Metro were awarded a dubious penalty with the ball clearly hitting Jack Prance on the shoulder. Obviously the referee had been watching too much World Cup, he sent Jack off for denying a goal scoring opportunity and we found ourselves 2-0 down.