A Simon Keith double sees the Quake through to the grand final
Campbelltown Quake 3 Inner West Allstars 2
Simon Keith lashed home two goals to help the Quake win a thrilling contest of classic Futsal against the Allstars in a game which both sides gave everything and neither side deserved to lose.
Both sides had plenty of chances early in the first half Tuan Cao went close a couple of times for the Quake and Joseph Foti and Adrian Vizzari both went close for the Allstars.
The Quake opened the scoring midway through the half when a rebound from a freekick fell to Tim Simpson who stabbed the ball through a crowded defence and past the keeper.
The Allstars levelled the game soon after when Adrian Vizzari’s shot was smartly turned in by Shervin Adeli to make it 1-1.
Both teams were having chances but Quake keeper Gavin O’Brien was the busier of the two. The teams went to the break locked at 1-1.
The fast pace of the game continued unabated in the second half with Lachlan Wright going close, Joseph Foti forcing a save from an acute angle and Quakes Symington and Downie going close.
The Quake hit the front when they were awarded a disputed freekick in front of goal. Simon Keith stepped up and blasted a shot low through the wall and into the net to make it 2-1.
Quake nearly scored again when a pass across goal just evaded the outstretched foot of Tuan Cao at the far post.
The Allstars were also in fine form and pushed hard for an equaliser. The goal came when Jacob Di Mento popped up on the left side to hard toe poke the ball through a crowded defence and into net to level the game at 2-2.
The game was being played at a relentless pace as the game swept from one end of the court to the other with both defences and keepers making last ditch blocks and saves to keep their side in the game.
With nothing separating the two teams it was the Quake who got the decisive break.
Simon Keith carried the ball out of defence while the Allstars defenders retracted into a defensive formation but left a little too much space for Keith who was able to run too close to goal unchallenged and he smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2.
The Allstars were virtually shooting on sight in search of an equaliser and the Quake defence did well to stave off intense pressure from a succession of corners and a flurry of attempts on goal. But it was not to be for the Allstars who bow out but gave everything and can hold their heads high.
In the end the Quake prevailed in an equally courageous effort to take on Sydney Magic PCYC in a rematch of their previous game on February 7th to see who takes who takes home the Mens Premier League crown.
