Lions clinch must-win game

By Mark Gullick
PAKENHAM held off a fast-finishing ROC to record a crucial six-point win at Officer on Saturday.
Extra significance was placed on the match owing to the Lions’ desperation to arrest their form slump.
They needed a win to keep in touch with the finals, while ROC was aiming for its maiden win for the season.
The Lions kicked four goals to one in the opening term and raced out to a 19-point lead by the first change.
They played sharp football in the first quarter and should have led by more on the scoreboard, but they missed several chances for goal.
Throughout the year, ROC has played good quality football, but only in patches.
For the next three terms, ROC matched Pakenham, but could not take the lead.
The Lions were seemingly in control in the final term and they always maintained a two or three goal lead.
ROC kept trying, but could never nudge its nose in front.
It was a desperately needed win for Pakenham.
“It was always going to be a tough slog down there. At any stage of the year you take a win down at ROC,” coach Ryan Cassidy said. “We played some good footy in patches again, but dropped away in a couple of areas and let them back in. We were on top for most of the day and at times they kept coming, which is a credit to them.
“They play up through the middle with the Tivendales, Fletcher and those sorts of guys. It was just a matter of them converting, which they did at different times.”
At crucial times, Pakenham had too many winners.
“We had a few guys up and down. We started to get a bit more ball carry through the midfield and created space up forward (resulting in) shots on goal. We’ve got plenty to work on, but with our crew and a few younger guys coming in and a couple more changes, it was good to see the young guys stepping up again.”
Beau Wheeler played a great game for Pakenham. He collected plenty of possessions and kicked three goals. Chris Cardona was solid in defence, Dom Paynter was busy in the midfield, while Cory Lenders and Nathan Lieshout (four goals) were prominent in attack.
For ROC, Greg Tivendale has continued his stellar season for ROC. He collected plenty of possessions around the ground and rarely missed a target with his raking left foot.
Ruckman Dane Roy, Michael Brown, coach Kris Fletcher, Ben Tivendale and Andrew Haythorpe tried hard.