Instructions were issued from the junior club early in the week that our
spiritual home - the hallowed ground of Larpent - was out of action this
week. We ended up playing at Glen Waverley North, for the first time in many
a long season. Luckily the ground had everything we needed except for ...
markings on the pitch, nets, balls, corner flags, line-marker, canteen
stock, benches, stretcher and linesman's flags. You can't have everything,
but we haven't got this far without being resourceful. So with a bit of
graft on Friday getting the pitch marked and some elbow grease on Saturday
to retrieve all the other bits, everything was in place for the big games.
More of Merlin the Magician later (some people do think the games happen by
magic on a weekend, but there is a great deal of hard-work done behind the
scenes and not always appreciated by some.) So was there any action on the
pitch? You bet there was and it was all caught on camera by GWSCTV. You'll
be able to see footage on the website soon, but in the meantime you'll have
to make do with these ramblings. Read on to find out if it was feast or
famine for our goal hungry heroes ....
Reserves
Caulfield Grammarians (2) 3 v 4 (1) Glen Waverley
The Reserves aimed to give their opponents some early confidence by warming
up with only 8 players. The rest appeared in dribs and drabs perfecting the
technique of last minute warm-ups. So with the dribs taking their place on
the pitch, the drabs were left on the bench to reflect on their map-reading
skills. No referee as usual, so it was left to John to keep the peace
between the warring tribes. The Reserves were hoping to keep their recent
unbeaten run going, but were to be given a stern test by the ever-improving
Grammarians. This was in evidence as the visitors took an early lead. A
cross-come-shot looped over the outstretched hand of Dan and nestled in the
far corner. The reserves immediately bounced back straight from the
kick-off. Eduardo was sent down the left. His inch perfect cross was met on
the volley by Matt Soon, who, from 6 yards, couldn't miss. Playing uphill
against the wind, Alex's lads toiled hard against a mobile opposition
midfield. The hard work was in vain as Caulfield got their second after the
home side defence failed to close down quickly enough on the edge of the
box. 1-2 down at halftime was ok, but 1-3 down within 30 seconds after the
break wasn't. No tackles in the middle allowed Caulfield a clear run at
goal, which they took gladly. Yureshan was brought on at halftime for the
tiring Robbie and gave a fresh impetus down the right. Savva and Dean
(playing his first game of the season) gradually took control in the middle
and after a period of pressure, Savva pulled one back with a well taken shot
from just inside the box. The pendulum had swung in the home sides favour.
Caulfield found it hard to cope with the pace of Matt Soon and the presence
of Eduardo, Savva and Bill O, who was pushing on more as the game went on.
Disaster struck with about 10 minutes to go as Alex galloped forward he
collapsed clutching his hamstring. As he exited the arena on the stretcher
(he is a big lad, you know. My arms are only just recovering), it was left
to the 10 still on, to roll their sleeves up and finish the job for their
wounded leader. Time was now the enemy, but with the clock ticking down a
corner kick from the right fell to Bill Giannikos. Using his new found
striking skills, he met the ball with his knee and from 30cm smashed the
ball home. Everyone would have settled for 3-3, but not our lads. Pressing
forward again, another corner was poorly dealt with and the ball fell
invitingly to Eduardo. Eddie wasted no time in drilling a low drive into the
bottom corner for the winner. What a comeback. From 1-3 to 4-3. Who could
ask for more?
The full post-match interview with Sir Alex is available on the match
highlights on GWSCTV, but he was full of praise for his troops. "We made
hard work of that today, but it was a credit to the lads. It was a game of
two halves, but I'm over the moon. We'll keep our feet on the ground and
take each game as it comes." We left Alex in full-cliche mode, as we made
our way back pitch-side for the next match on the programme.
Seniors
Caulfield Grammarians (1) 1 v 0 (0) Glen Waverley
The big clash of the day attracted a larger than normal crowd and the
players had to run the gauntlet of the media as GWSCTV were there to cover
the match. Coach Steve had much to ponder as some of the squad had gone down
with the lurgi. Tzekin was a last-minute withdrawal and a recovering Matey
was only fit enough to be given a spot on the bench. Alex who was also down
to play in goal, was obviously scratched from the team sheet as he hobbled
off on dodgy hammy's. Into the breach stepped Dan, playing his second game
of the day in goal. This time we did have a referee, albeit one wearing
glasses. Perhaps he could see the clouds better. So as kick-off approached,
the tension mounted and nails were bitten in those anxious nervy moments
before the referees whistle began proceedings. The game started off at great
pace, but little structure as both sides struggled to come to grips with the
bumpy pitch. Compressed midfield for much of the first half saw little in
the way of chances, but the visitors took advantage of a loose ball. A quick
one two on the edge of the box and the ball was stroked into the bottom left
hand corner out of the reach of a sprawling keeper.
For the second game of the day the home side found themselves a goal down.
But the Waverley lads took it in their stride and chances fell to Nanos and
Theos, both being sent high and wide. Still the pressure was there and it
seemed as if it was only a matter of time before the damage would be
repaired. But Caulfield are made of stern stuff these days, as recent
results would show and they held out well until the halftime break.
The local lads were solid in defence. As usual Micky V, Julian and Anouk
were a solid combination and were rarely troubled. Lloydy had an unusually
quiet game and made way for Matey early in the second half. Dean was
switched to the left but found it hard going. Whilst no-one was playing
badly, there was a spark missing as the team looked for inspiration. Hayden
tried to get things going, but with Nanos dropping deeper seeking the ball,
the team lacked that cutting edge. Ian and Yureshan were introduced late in
the game, hoping to improve the team's fortunes. It was one-way traffic for
the last 15 to 20 minutes but no clear cut chances were created. Any chances
that would fall would have to be taken. In the dying seconds, it was Micky v
who found himself clear in the box. A snatched shot went just over the bar
and the collective groan from the massed crowd bore witness to a chance
gone. The whistle blew and it was all over. It'll be all over the TV too, as
the cameras were there.
In the post match interview, Steve was left to rue on the day's events. "We
were flat today. We have a couple of good games then a flat one. We'll have
this week off to think about it, then we'll bounce back."
Fourth place is still possible but it'll take a monumental effort. Heads up
boys, enjoy the break and get ready to take Meadow Park apart.
Congratulations go to Upfield, who clinched the title today with three
rounds left.