Round 21 as it happened ...
Meadow Park last week, Broadmeadows this week. Names that conjure up images
of sun kissed green pastures with a patchwork quilt of buttercups and
daisies. In reality Broadmeadows is not a destination found on many holiday
shows. It was a windswept ground where the average temperature would hover
somewhere between the "bloody cold" and brass monkeys. A local junior club
had their presentation day happening at the same time, so our lads were torn
between having a turn on the slippery slide and merry-go-round or preparing
themselves to play a game of football. Anyway the little kids wouldn't budge
in the queue for the rides so it was to the pitch we turned. Read on to find
out if Round 21 would give us the key to the door or would lock us out ...
Reserves
Broadmeadows (1) 3 v 0 (0) Glen Waverley
The reserves were brim full of confidence, fresh as they were from 5
wins on the bounce. The only headache for Coach Sir Alex was who to leave on
the bench this week, as there were no last minute no-shows. Playing with the
wind in the first half, the reserves were on top from the word go and
basically set up camp in the opposition half. The first chance of the game
fell early to Savva, with Yure also coming close. Matthew Soon was putting
himself about up front and it was not a question of if, but when would the
first goal come.
What we didn't expect however, was the first goal would fall to
Broadmeadows. A 5 second lapse in concentration allowed the home side
skipper to latch onto a long hopeful punt and slot a calm finish past Dan to
open the scoring. Never mind though, because the game was still there to be
won. The reserves still continued to play good football using Robbie on the
right and Alex on the left to good effect. Savva and Eduardo were both
controlling the middle of the park, but try as they might they couldn't
quite turn the possession into goals.
The wind was obviously playing its part; it was windier than a baked
bean tasting convention. Playing into the wind in the second half, the
reserves passing game would surely come into its own. But as in the first
half, they huffed and puffed, but couldn't break the stout resistance of the
home team's defence. It looked as though the winning run was finally going
to come to a grinding halt and late in the game, Broadmeadows grabbed
another couple on the break to give the score a bit of a flattering look.
Still the reserves just had one of those days, where chances were
created but not taken. Yureshan hit the bar and numerous chances were hit
straight at Forrest Gump in the home side's goal. Even the late entry of
super-sub Guillermo could not change the visitor's fortunes. Sir Alex was
left to rue on what might have been, "The run had to come to an end sometime
and it was good while it lasted, but we still played good football today.
We'll look forward to next week and see if we can finish the season with a
bang." So we left Alex looking for some dynamite as we turned our attention
to the senior's game.
Seniors
Broadmeadows (1) 2 v 1 (0) Glen Waverley
Just when we thought it couldn't get any colder, the temperature
dropped another 10 degrees. My nose was running faster than Usain Bolt. But
we braved the chill as we gave support to our lads as they looked to get
something from the long trip to Broadie. The seniors were without Hayden,
but were otherwise at full strength. Playing against the wind in the first
half, the lads struggled to get going, with plenty of misjudged passes going
astray. There weren't too many alarms initially, as the usually reliable
Micky V, Julian and Anouk kept things tight at the back. The home side
midfield did take control in the middle of the park and Nanos had to keep
dropping deep to see any of the ball.
Weights were added to Matey's boots to make sure he didn't take off
in the wind, and it was clear the younger players were struggling with the
conditions. A goal in the first half was enough to see the home side go in
at half time with their noses in front. Nothing to worry about as the wind
would be in our favour in the second half. Shame the referee didn't see fit
to help. Obviously having read the Mark Shields book of "Refereeing for
dummies", proceeded to confuse all and sundry with some strange decisions.
Dean was given a yellow card for being faster than his opposite number,
free-kicks were given spontaneously and at random, legitimate penalty claims
were waved away and so it went on. Frustration built up and so did the
dissent as yellow cards were then dispensed with frequent regularity. It
will also come as a surprise to Ben that he got sent off 11 minutes after
being subbed, whilst he was getting changed, such was the incompetence of
the idiot masquerading as a referee. We'll keep the names of the guilty
secret just in case, but there's one lucky player in our squad.
Back to the game being played between the bouts of stupidity. Both
sides were trying to play the game in trying conditions, but chances were
few and far between. So Steve turned to his bench to see if he could get
some much needed momentum. Throwing Justin on was an inspired decision, as
he rose like a salmon in the box to head home a well-earned equaliser within
minutes of coming on. At one all it was now clear the next goal would be the
winner. Both sides probed but it was Broadmeadows who stole the show
grabbing a late winner with an effective and pacey counter attack. Steve
came close to bringing the game level late in the game, blasting over from
close range but it wasn't to be. Nanos thought he would have the last word,
but it was the referee who did, waving his yellow card again. I thought it
was me, who had been booked, but it could have been Julian's mum, she was
sitting nearby, or maybe it was the kids on the slippery slide. Who knows
and quite frankly, who cares.
The game was lost, but on another day things could have been
different. It's easy to blame the referee, but if we end up bitching about
him, we're not concentrating on the job in hand. Steve agreed with our
assessment "The referee was an idiot, but we have to rise above it. We
played well enough to have won, but we'll look forward to next week and see
if we can go out with a bang." So we left Steve as he went looking to see if
Alex had found some dynamite.
Next week sees our glorious adventure finally come to an end for this
season. If you're free next Saturday, come on down to Larpent, and cheer on
the lads in their final match of the season against the Champions Upfield.
Wouldn't it be nice to bring their unbeaten run to an end? Hope to see you
all next week.