THE New Norfolk Panthers remain undefeated after a forfeit by Brighton Storm ahead of the soccer match due to be played at Tynwald Park on Sunday. With only five matches left in the season, it’s looking good for the in-form Panthers and their hopes of finishing on top. The team’s next match is away at North Chigwell against Metro FC this Friday at 7pm.
Last week’s game saw New Norfolk defeat DOSA, 9-2, in a match of wavering intensity brought on by the warm and humid conditions gracing the Derwent Valley on September 20. Used to playing in the cold and wet weather New Norfolk locals have come to know all too well over the winter, the Panthers were shocked by the spring heat and took longer than usual to find themselves on the board.
Once the first shot hit the back of the net the team found its classic dominating rhythm. As anyone who has played there knows, Tynwald Park is a wide and long ground which does much to explain the home team’s dynamism through the wing and skill with aerial balls as displayed in what was a fantastic passing game with countless one-two plays and centring crosses tearing through the opposition defence and leading to nine goals by the final whistle.
The race to the golden boot is staying tight with two goals each by Luke Crosswell, Martin Cairns, Joshua Russell, Christopher Driver, and one goal to Paul Cairns taking the team’s total goals to an astonishing 48 for the season.
NIC MOLTOW
