BEACONSFIELD Superules thirddivision slipped up and missed the chance of third spot on the ladder with a 30point loss to Footscray on Saturday.
Footscray had Beaconsfield on the back foot from the first bounce and handled the muddy conditions better.
With shorter, running players on its forward line, it took a while for Beaconsfield to get their matchup rights.
Beaconsfield’s lack of manning up and accountability across the midfield allowed Footscray in for six goals in the first quarter that was the telling factor in the end
The second term started better for Beaconsfield with Bussacca, McKenna and Valentine starting to win some centre clearances and giving it first use of the ball.
Some slick work by Bussacca who got it to Flight and then ran on for the handball got Beaconsfield’s first goal of the match.
The game seesawed between thebacklines with limited scoring chances for both sides with the ball getting heavier and the mud taking its toll and targets hard to hit cleanly.
At half time, coach Valentine instructed his players to go hard at the ball and when in possession, kick long at every chance.
Vinny, now playing down back as a loose man in defence, was stopping Footscray’s attack.
Col Ross was winning, keeping his man to only one touch for the day and Marsh was having a good game taking a number of saving marks, spoils or helping out others.
It took until the 18minute mark for Beaconsfield to score with Flight kicking truly.
At threequarter time, Beaconsfield was still in the game.
The final term started well for Beaconsfield with Cameron in the ruck giving first use of the ball to the midfield who then kicked long to Flight at fullforward who kicked his second for the day within the first two minutes of the last quarter.
Beaconsfield continued to get plenty of the ball, but turnovers proved costly as Footscray rebounded well and put the backline under enormous pressure.
Stewart created some run and led to spaces and was rewarded, marking 20metres out and kicking straight with 10 minutes to go then shortly after Bussacca got his second for the game.
Scores: Beaconsfield 5.4.34 lost to Footscray 10.4.64.
Goals: Flight, Bussacca 2 each, Stewart, 1.
Best: Ross, Bussacca, Marsh, McKenna and Vinny.
CLUB NOTES
This week Bill Flight will plays his 100th Superules game against Murrumbeena.
Flight, who has won two club best and fairest in Superules along with coaching the club for two seasons, is one of the stalwarts of the club and past players and friends are welcome to attend and join in on his celebration this weekend at Beaconsfield.
