By JARROD POTTER
FFV STATE LEAGUE 5 SOUTH – ROUND 11
ANOTHER day, another draw.
Life in the state ranks is still winless for Pakenham United despite another strong showing on Saturday, this time in a 1-1 draw against Old Mentonians.
Michael Phillip found his way free in the box and was carelessly brought down, giving the Cougars a penalty shot early in the clash. Jake Herrington (7’) slotted the penalty to get the locals one-nil up … and from there the chances would not fall.
Liam McCafferty’s return to the line-up almost resulted in the match-winner – but his late flourish soared just on the wrong side of the bar.
Michael Watling (78’) smashed in a captain’s goal for the opposition in the dying stages to level the ledger – and offer up plenty more chances at the end.
In the end it took the resounding efforts of the Cougars’ defence – in particular keeper Jarrod Reynolds – to maintain the equal score-line and escape the fast finishing visitors’ wrath.
“We can’t crack it yet – we were 1-0 up after six minutes and still one nil at half time, but couldn’t hold on or take our chances,” Pakenham United coach Wayne Schembri said. “That was probably the story of the day – had a few opportunities to go further ahead and close out the game but we couldn’t get it done.”
“Probably didn’t play as well as we did in the first half an hour and they put some pressure on us when they didn’t really have many opportunities and they scored with 15 minutes left to go.”
Schembri praised Reynolds for his work in front of the net while Lewy Friend and Phillip also impressed.
“Jarrod was fantastic yesterday – on the last kick of the game they had a guy who rounded one of our defenders and got into a goal-scoring chance, one on one, with Jarrod and he punched it well clear of the strikers,” Schembri said. “Basically saved the day for us.”
Pakenham United hosts Sandown Lions on Saturday and once again, Schembri believes the side’s maiden victory is ripe for the taking … on the proviso of a complete performance.
“Don’t see any issue with us getting a win this week – probably said that last week too – but it’s inevitable sometime soon and once we get one we’ll be able to get two or three more and propel us up the table,” Schembri said. “We just need to get the first one under our belt and that will hopefully create that winning feeling and get a few more … but we just need to play 90 minutes.”
