I rewinded it, then watched on .25 speed. Sotirio was onside (assuming that it was called against him and not the guy who made the run for the header).
https://freeimage.host/i/YO8xoX (I realise it's not the exact point of contact but a frame earlier and he's even more onside).
Not a bad half. We started and finished well but for about 20 minutes in the middle of the half we were totally asleep and were lucky not to concede a goal. The penalty was extremely generous, Tilio arm wrestled with Elliott and then tripped over his own feet. On the way down he touched the defender but that shouldn't have been a pen. Same for Ball's yellow. I can live with the foul. Not sure about the goal. Looked good from home but without the replay it's hard to tell.
We need Sutton and Old to show what they can do. They are fast and skilful but aside from Old's mazy run, they have created much. Ball, Sotirio and Waine also need to be find each other more. Their approach is very disjointed. Still, it's 0-0 bel Mel City in the QF of the Cup.. Not a bad position to be in really.
1st half done and dusted - we've been the better team so far. Pennington has looked good. Tidy, composed, and perhaps most importantly - his passing range tends to look forward rather than backwards. The shape is good and our pressing has been consistent and well applied. A hell of a lot better than what was seen in Adelaide on the weekend at least.
Just need to work on that final ball and not giving the ball away cheaply in the midfield. As much as we've been tidy in this first half, they're definitely hunting for those fast breaks on turnovers and they have the quality to take those chances.
Overall, a pleasing first half. Keep pushing lads.
Decent first half, hope the second can build on that. I don’t get how old didn’t get a free kick prior to our goal being incorrectly chalked offside? Regardless, lots of positivity and signs of a reaction from the team . Keep it up! 👍
Rufer and Lewis both playing much better than recently. The commentators said about a possible block being the cause of the goal ruled out, which might explain why the free kick was taken way up field
Good solid start to the 2nd half. A part of the game we've been weak this season, conceding against CCM, Jets and Adelaide just before that hour mark. Good little period of probing possession for us. Just need a little bit more magic in that final third, or something to go our way even. Come on lads!
Game opening up a bit now. Hopefully it falls in our favour but honestly, it's been a stalemate of a match. Both sides working hard to try and get an inch over the other. Good, gritty, scrappy cup tie.
Very happy with the heart and commitment put in by the boys so far.
Ball seems to have been limping the past few minutes since he's taken that knock earlier, hope it's not too bad.
Pennington my MotM so far. Just seems to have good game awareness and the ability to see what he has in terms of personnel and options around him. He's threaded some lovely balls through tonight, as well as some lovely little touches and turns in the centre of the park while retaining possession. Good heads up, forward thinking player on our hands methinks.
feel like Fenton stole the win from Waine, we've looked the stronger team in parts too, Ball working his ass off, Waine too, just lacking the killer shot. MaGary and Fenton coming on has livened things up a bot. Pennington and lewis have done well as has Rufer at CB.
Possibly the best we've played this season. This performance has renewed my faith in this squad.
We all know it's been a shark show of a season so far, trapped playing away from home and the ups and downs we've had, along with not being able to bring in the quality reinforcements as yet.
Tonight has been gritty and niggly, but we've not taken a backward step and we've arguably been the better team out there tonight. Against a stronger side on paper at that too.
Half an hour remaining until death strikes! (Possibly...)