A heavy deluge that started an hour before kick-off and continued throughout the entire game resulted in surface water that turned the game into a slip and slide splash feast. Players were over-running the ball, struggling to hold their feet and finding that passes were falling short of their mark held up in puddles.

It was obvious at kick off that the side that adapted best to the difficult conditions would come out on top and that is how the game turned out. Parramatta adapted better to the conditions, took their chances and held off the Falcons with strength and determination.

In a match with very few clear cut chances the Falcons had the first real opportunity of the game when in the 5 min MacNicol was put through behind the Parramatta defence by a great ball from Hutchinson. MacNicol cut inside his man and hit a goal bound shot, which was well tipped over by Gibson.

Parramatta were adapting better to the conditions with the forward combination of Sterjovski and Griffiths making good runs and forcing the Falcons defence into some desperate defending early in the game. The first real opportunity to the Power resulted in the first goal of the game in the 14 minute. Pressure by Sterjovski and Griffiths lead to the ball falling loose after a good cross from the left by Berry. Sterjovski pounced onto the loose ball with his shot being smothered by Jevdjevic in the Falcons goal. The hard running and ever alert Ardone on hand to put the rebound away. 1-0 Parramatta Power.

The rest of the half degenerated into a midfield scramble with neither side able to put together any free flowing moves in the difficult conditions. MacNicol for the Falcons had another long range effort in the 28 min sail well wide and Santalab in the 47 min for the Power, hit a cross come shot that almost caught Jevdjevic napping in the Falcons goal. Half time at the Gippsland aquatic centre, Parramatta 1 Gippsland 0.

With no relief from the heavy rain the second half started much as the first with neither side able to put together any structured forward moves. It was a case of kick and hope and which defence would hold on without making any errors.

The first chance of the half fell to the Falcons when Bell latched on to a half clearance by the Power defence only to shoot wide of the mark. The second goal to Parramatta in the 49 min came from a corner conceded due to the waterlogged pitch. A Durakovic back pass stopped dead in a puddle and he followed up well to put the ball away for a corner as Griffiths was about to pounce. The resulting corner was hit perfectly as Berry met it with a strong header unchallenged at the near post. 2-0 Parramatta Power.

The Falcons threw everything at the Power, but the defensive combination of Barrett, Vrkic and Bennett held strong and the hard running Ardone was relishing the conditions dominating midfield battles. The Falcons had a great opportunity in the 64 min from a free kick just outside the penalty area with Marcina hitting a powerful shot just past the right upright with Gibson beaten.

Hopkins played his hand in the 75 min making a double substitution and pushing Gotis into a forward role in an attempt to counter the ariel dominance of Vrkic at the back for Parramatta. Mitchell responded by bringing on a tall striker in Angelucci to try and expose the lack of height in the Falcons defence.

Angelucci made an immediate impression with a great run down the right and a cross well met by Sterjovski in the 76 min. His header saved by Jevdjevic in the Falcons goal.

The last chance of the match fell to the Falcons in the 90 min when Gotis latched on to a Power clearance that got stuck in a puddle. Gotis played a beautiful through ball to Kakos who found himself one-on-one with the keeper. His shot well saved down low by Gibson.

The victory to Parramatta puts them one point ahead of the Falcons with two games in hand and a real chance of making the finals after a sluggish start to the season. The Falcons on the other hand have dropped six valuable points and will need to turn things around in a hurry to have any realistic chance of making the finals.

The best player on the night in trying conditions was Walter Ardone in midfield for Parramatta. His hard running and tackling and coverage of the ground ensured the Falcons never had time on the ball. Joe Vrkic was a man mountain at the back for Parramatta, dominating everything in the air and rebounding attack after attack. Sandy Robertson for the Falcons in his first start for the season applied himself well and showed he will be a valuable addition to the Falcons lineup.

Jevdjevic – Fak – Gotis – Durakovic – Marcina (Savage 75 min) – Puca - Robertson – Bell – Hutchinson – Nilo (Kakos 75 min) - MacNicol - Sub not used: Buhargiar

Gibson.M. – Barrett – Santalab – Vrkic – Byrnes - Bennett – Burns – Ardone – Berry – Sterjovski – Griffiths (Angelucci 75 min) - Subs not used: Campbell, Gibson.J.

Yellow Cards: Parramatta Power – Griffiths 23 min, Vrkic 45 min, Ardone 45 min, Barrett 52 min, Berry 53 min, Burns 59 min

Gippsland Falcons - Hutchinson 15 min, Bell 68 min

Votes: 3 Ardone (Parramatta Power); 2 Vrkic (Parramatta Power);1 Robertson (Gippsland Falcons)