Fremantle Cockburn form improves, after 1-1 draw to University of WA

The All Flags Premier League saw a survival-of-the-fittest match between Fremantle Cockburn and University of WA on Sunday, August 15. 

An equal battle between the two sides resulted in the back-and-forth ending in a one-goal-apiece draw.

The game was hosted by Fremantle Cockburn, with a 4pm start, both teams greeted with zero cloud and a bright sun during the break in Perth's terrible weather.

Starting fast with both teams taking early shots on goal with no prevail, it was clear from early in the game that neither team had any intention of giving anything to the opposing side.

The first quarter saw the midfield dominated by Fremantle Cockburn’s James McPherson, constantly pushing his side forward to snatch the early lead.

The second quarter saw the action fire up, with UWA young-gun Jaxon Geddes possessing very strong ball control and controlling the game with high intensity in defence.

The first penalty corner opportunity came from UWA at around the ten-minute mark of the quarter, which came up just short after a behind-the-back pass from Lachlan Busiko.

Following this, there was strong passages of play from Fremantle Cockburn’s Jack Welch, who showed strong defence against a charging UWA forward line.

With tension beginning to build, a Fremantle Cockburn blunder with less than one second to go in the half led to a UWA penalty corner with almost no time on the clock.

The trick-shot from Lachlan Busiko payed off on the second occasion, the assist to Cam Geddes giving UWA their sole goal of the game.

Leading into the second half, Freo Cockburn had some early frustrations as they missed multiple early shots on goal but finally got an opportunity as they were given a penalty corner just under five minutes in.

The penalty was scored by Fremantle Cockburn star Jack Welch, scoring just his third goal for the 2021 All Flags Premier League season.

With the rest of the quarter a fair slug for both sides, Fremantle Cockburn had a chance to take the lead with five seconds left in the period with a shot on goals, the shot instead hitting the corner of the goal and bouncing out.

With the scores tied 1-1 going into the final quarter, both teams eager to gain a leg up, UWA were given the opportunity early into the quarter with their third penalty corner of the game, a great save foiling the chances of the visiting side.

Neither team advanced much toward their goal line, and the end of the final quarter remained largely a battle in the midfield, with little scoring attempts.

The full-time score ended in a draw, unlike when the two teams played earlier in the year where UWA was victorious with a 2-0 score.

The results of this week's match placed Fremantle Cockburn ninth in the All Flags Premier League standings, UWA charging toward finals, now fourth on the ladder.

By FRASER WILLIAMS