Cobram had three changes enforced on the team due to suspension and availability from the previous week’s game, unfortunately a theme which has plagued the side all season.
The team took the field under the instruction of coach Bill Puckett to maintain concentration in defence and when the opportunity presented to take the opportunity to get forward.
Cobram got off to the worst possible start when a simple ball into the box from the United left wing was not cleared and presented their striker with the simplest of finishes after just 90 seconds.
The groans from the large Cobram support summed up the feeling that it could be a long day ahead at this point.
To their credit, Cobram regrouped and organised themselves.
The next 20 or so minutes was a case of Cobram continuing to defend solidly and when the chance came, pushing forward and trying to assert some pressure on the United defence.
It became clear during this stage of the game that the speed of Jake Kalz and Toby Wane was going to trouble United when Cobram got the ball forward.
However, disaster then struck when there appeared little danger, as the ball was cleared to the right touchline.
The United winger collected the ball and cut inside before curling a great shot past Keating’s outstretched arm into the top corner to make the score 2-0 after 25 minutes.
Cobram now had no option but to take the game to United, which they did for the remainder of the first-half.
Excellent team defending higher up the pitch allowed Cobram to keep United pinned in their own half for longer spells.
This allowed Martin Louchet and Jordan Nankerville to push on from full back to deliver a series of dangerous balls into the box.
From one of these crosses, Puckett struck the inside of the post with a header, with the ball coming back out and being cleared.
The same player then headed narrowly over and forced a great save from the United keeper.
With two minutes to go until half-time, Louchet finished off a great team move involving NathanThomas, Riley Denny and Wane to make the score 2-1.
The second-half started in the same way as the first had and finished with Cobram doing all the attacking, forcing United to defend deep.
The influence of Flo Dambricourt and Thomas was pivotal in this as they stepped forward to beat the United forwards to the ball and turn them round at every opportunity.
Denny released Kalz down the right wing, Kalz cut across his man and hit the side netting with the keeper beaten.
The same combination of players then saw Kalz force a good save from the United keeper before the ball broke to Wane, who fired a shot just over the crossbar.
Puckett showed a turn of pace which belied his age to beat the United left back to the ball and broke into the box before being hauled to the ground.
The referee did not point to the penalty spot.
With 20 minutes left, Cobram brought on the senior Thomas for Nankerville to support Kalz up front.
Thomas’ first act in the game was to narrowly head over from a corner, whilst cleaning up Puckett in friendly fire.
The remainder of the game played out with both sides’ defences on top.
Unfortunately, despite an excellent performance, it was a case of what could have been for Cobram.
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