By Graham Harvey
FRIDAY night’s 2–2 draw with Peninsula Power showed the sort of character I want to see from this Wynnum Wolves side.
I thought the first 15 minutes were good from us.
We started well and got the opening goal, which is always important at home.
But then we gave away a sloppy goal – just one of those mad little moments that can happen in football – and it knocked the stuffing out of us a bit.
After that I felt we struggled for the rest of the first half.
Peninsula’s second goal was a bit confusing.
The linesman had his flag up for offside, and some of our players saw that and stopped, but at the end of the day we still could have defended that moment better.
Once the decision is given, there’s nothing you can do about it.
At half-time the message to the boys was simple – don’t give up and don’t melt.
To their credit, the response in the second half was positive.
I thought we were a lot more solid and we pushed the game higher up the field.
We made a few changes to be more attacking, and the boys responded well to that.
In the last 15 minutes we had several good chances, and, on another night, we probably win the game.
If it had gone another 10 or 15 minutes, I think we might have found the winner.
To be honest, they were hanging on for a point for most of that second half.
Both of our goals came from set pieces, which was pleasing.
We do a bit of work on them at training – I’m not sure the boys always enjoy it – but the delivery was excellent and the players made positive runs and actions.
It’s good to see that pay off in a game.
Defensively we also looked more settled after the break.
Marcus (Worthington) did well when he came on and gave us a bit of stability, winning his 50-50s and aerial duels.
We were missing a couple of players and had to reshuffle a bit, with Jack (Hingert) filling in at centre-half, but it showed the depth we’ve got in the squad this year.
I think we look much more like a squad rather than just an eleven.
That’s important across a long season.
From where we were at half-time, I see it as a positive point rather than two points dropped.
The fight and mentality the boys showed was pleasing, but the next step for us is consistency.
We need 90 good minutes, not just 70 or 80.
Next week we’re away to Brisbane Roar, which will be another good challenge.
They’re young, energetic and have added some physicality to their game.
Being a development side, you also never know what players might drop down.
But I know our boys will be up for it.
We showed plenty of character on Friday night.
Now it’s about building on that and making sure we keep improving.
