.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
Angel rounded 'keeper Nathan Denham only to then shoot two meters wide of the open goal. We think he was thrown off by the rugby league markings on the Belmore Sports Ground, with Canterbury Bulldogs making good use of their new training pitch.
Phil Makrys found himself on goal in the 10th minute and this time Olympic didn't miss the target. Decent build up play inside the box gave Makrys only Denham to beat, and the experienced player found the corner of the back of the net. 1-0 to the home side, but seconds later the tables would turn.
A studs up challenge from Paul Triantis had him heading for a very early shower, seeing straight red for what was a late lunge on Haydon Norton. The only time we at The Football Sack lunge that late is behind our blonde bombshell of a personal trainer. Excuse us for forgetting to lunge, fitness goddess, we were distracted by your beauty.
The Shire has been getting better than expected TV ratings, but that didn't stop Sutherland from rating poorly throughout the first half. Despite their numerical advantage, the Shire lads took thirty minutes to get going, something we can't say about the television show.
Panni Nikas blasted a goal past Paul Henderson from a freekick outside the box in the 35th. Big Hendo got two hands to the ball but couldn't stop it. Some might write that it was unstoppable, the hyperboloists.
One apiece at the break and The Football Sack ventured down to the food stand to find some souvlaki. To our utter horror, there was none to be found. Stop the press – no souvlaki at Belmore. Not even a whiff. Expect the rest of the match report to be riddled with errors and references to “the good old days”.
A legitimate penalty call for Olympic was waived away in the 56th minute when the referee had been calling similar fouls all afternoon. That this one was in the box should not have made any difference. But a minute later he redeemed himself, and whistled for a penalty on the other side of the box.
Makyrs' initial attempt was blocked by Denham, but he converted his own penalty by slotting home the deflection. Like players did in the good old days. 2-1 to Sydney Olympic with half an hour left to play.
Matt Bailey could have levelled for Sutherland, with the ball popping up for him inside the box in the 79th. Bailey's resultant half volley was powerful, yet misguided. Much like a Canterbury Bulldog, ironically enough.
Four minutes later he did draw the scores 2-2, clear on goal inside the box after a cross from the right. Casually, Bailey eased the ball into the net past Henderson, grabbed it, and ran back to half way, wanting to quickly restart in search of a winner.
And a winner they found, through the long range effort of Chris Price, who slapped at the ball from the right and got it in. 3-2 the final score to Sutherland, a complete turn around from the opening minutes of the game when it looked as though they would be overrun.
Man of the match in our opinion goes to Kutaiba Elrich, whose effort and presence up front gave the 10-man home side opportunity and confidence.