Langman seizes chance to strike

Matthew Galea

July 28 2014

Shepparton News

Tom Langman was the most unlikely of heroes for Goulburn Valley Suns against Melbourne Knights on a frosty Saturday night.

The defender was thrown up front off the bench and scored a deflected equaliser to earn the Suns a share of the points, on a night when they could so easily have been celebrating a win.

Had the linesman kept his flag down when Zac Foxhoven was a clear two yards onside in the dying stages of the game, the Suns would have made it two wins from two.

The goal would have been just reward for the industrious American — who set up Langman for the eventual equaliser — but he was cruelly denied by a poor piece of officiating.

On the balance of play, a draw was a fair result — although the Knights will look back at some costly errors in front of goal with real frustration.

There was no doubting the best chances of the game fell to the Knights though, in particular former Adelaide United youth player Jordan O’Doherty who missed two great opportunities.

The Knights eventually got the goal they deserved when Ardian Vuniqi unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.

The former Green Gully player put in a good shift despite the misfortune, but eventually made way for eventual hero Langman after 58 minutes — not long after Simon Colosimo almost scored a ridiculous attempt from his own half.

Ben Clarke moved back out to his favoured left wing at half-time after starting up front as coach David Davkovski looked to make his mark on the game, but it was his choice in bringing Langman on and playing him as a striker which proved to be the game-changer.

Langman’s height and physicality — which he married with some nice touches on the ball — immediately, troubled the Knights’ defence and when his opportunity came he took it expertly.

‘‘I haven’t even put him on as sub yet,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘I looked around at the bench and looked for the tallest player I had and it was ‘Langers’ and he’s come on and got himself a goal.’’

Davkovski expressed his disagreement with the linesman’s call that cost his side a winning goal, but said he was pleased his side continued to look to score so late in the game.

‘‘It is what it is. I don’t think it was offside, but the way we created it was super,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘We’re not just locking it in and being negative, so as long as we’re creating them, I’m happy.’’

See tomorrow’s News for more pictures and stories on the Suns.