The Rockingham Redbacks travelled to Joondalup Arena on Sunday afternoon to play Whitfords. The local side has been unable to win at this venue for several years and this continued on Sunday with Whitfords showing more determination than Rockingham, crushing them 4-1.
Rockingham started the better and applied early pressure, but Whitfords countered very well and were able to force a short corner 3 minutes into the game. The Redbacks knew from their last encounter that Whitfords have a formidable short corner battery, and the opposition’s first corner confirmed this with a drag flick high and wide of the keeper. Rockingham fought back and controlled the next period of the game, having several shots on goal, but unable to find the back of net. At the 13 minute mark Rockingham’s short corner ace Hardev Singh put the Redbacks back on level terms.
Whitfords regained the lead late in the first half from a defensive error causing turn over in the mid field. The home side were able run the ball down the field to score a goal.
The second half was almost a reply of the first with Whitfords scoring from their second short corner to go 3-1 up early in the half. Coach Michael Nobbs used the bench and moved players into different positions to try and get Rockingham the win, but Whitfords had all the answers. The home side put the game out of the local sides reach mid way though the final half when another turn over resulted in a goal.
The Redbacks fought hard to get back into the game and never gave up, but were unable to deny Whitfords who on the day had more determination and were always first to the ball. The local side are still on top of the ladder despite the loss but will be looking to winning the 4 remaining games to ensure a top 2 finish
Neville Ford
Team Manager
Leave a Reply