Neither Taylors Lakes nor Glenroy were about to take a backward step in their EDFL crunch match on Saturday. 84458_13 Picture: MATHEW LYN
By LIAM TWOMEY
TAYLORS Lakes missed out on a golden opportunity to all but guarantee itself a finals berth on Saturday after falling to Glenroy by nine points.
With both teams understanding the importance of the match it was Glenroy who made the better start, booting six goals in the first quarter to open up a 27-point lead.
After being blown away early, the Lions were able to regroup and hold the Saints at bay to ensure there was no more damage done to an already dangerous margin.
Having wrestled back the momentum, the Lions then set about taking control of the match during a stunning third quarter which saw Taylors Lakes kick five goals to one, to close the margin to just four points heading into the final break.
Lance Whitnall and his men had one more quarter of fight left in them though as the match was again turned and Glenroy was able to hold on for the impressive 13.14 (92) to 12.11 (83) win.
The Taylors Lakes defenders had no answer for Glenroy forward Heath Woodhouse who booted four goals in a strong performance.
He was well supported by Adam Bardan who kicked three while Sam Bowen was named best on ground after an outstanding game.
The loss has huge ramifications for Taylors Lakes who now drop to fourth on the Division One ladder and miss the opportunity to put a two-game break between themselves and the chasing pack.
Instead they are now just one game ahead of the fifth-placed Tullamarine but with a match against competition powerhouse Airport West this week, the Lions could find themselves out of the four and in danger of missing finals.
Last time the two sides met, Airport West won by 170 points.
With Saturday also marking the first day of the split between divisions one and two, all eight Division One teams will give themselves a realistic chance of making finals with even last-placed Westmeadows just two games out of the top four.
