Round 10 as it happened …..
Ensuring our carbon footprint was kept to a minimum this week, we were glad to be back at the Larpent Theatre of Dreams and not on the road. The ground looked fine, the car park was in good nick, the canteen smelled divine as usual and the pitch was holding up as well, despite the amount of games played there week in week out. Broadmeadows were our visitors for round 10 and arrived looking ready for battle in this mid-table clash. Read on good folks, to find out more details as the day unfolded, in our carbon neutral venue.
Reserves
Glen Waverley (1) 4 v 2 (1) Broadmeadows
With numbers dwindling this week, due to injuries and unavailability, it was backs to the wall time again. We had to utilise our resources to the full, enlisting the help of our U16’s. Alex Martin once again proved himself at this level managing to get his first goal for the reserves. Also Kenneth Trac in his first season showed enough promise to ensure we will have quality in depth for the seasons to come. On with the game, the Reserves were in charge from the first whistle. Scoring early this week – a wonderfully worked goal from Yureshan - it looked as if a cricket score was on the cards, as chance after chance came their way. We didn’t reckon on Matthew Soon however!! He managed to squander (there’s no other word for it) at least 4 gilt edged chances. We began to wonder if it was a case of here we go again, as Broadmeadows snatched an equaliser midway through the first half. Just on the stroke of halftime, Ari pulled off a blinding save from a point blank range to keep the scores level. A few personnel and strategic changes at half time and the Reserves strike force picked the pace up, and laid siege on the visitor’s goal. Finally Matthew managed to find the back of the net, although it needed the Melway to find its way there. His shot was deflected onto the near post by the keeper. As Matthew held his head in his hands, the ball ricocheted onto the far post then rolled in to the unguarded net. Cue much celebration. Alex then got the third to give the reserves some breathing space. Having now learned the art of goal scoring Matthew then blew another 2 chances before finally getting his second. Following in on a goalmouth scramble, he didn’t trust either foot, so calmly slotted it home with his knee. They all count, but we could have counted a lot more. It was left to Ari to show some hospitality by gifting our visitors their second to end the scoring for the day. “They’ve come along way” said Ari “I thought I would give them something to make them happy for the trip home.” Very generous Ari.
Sir Alex was unavailable for comment as he had been drafted into the seniors’ squad, for the first time this season. However he did want to thank the players who stepped in a short notice – they know who they are.
Seniors
Glen Waverley (1) 1 v 1 (1) Broadmeadows
Faced with the same problems as the Reserves, Steve was down to the bare bones this week. Due to injuries and unavailability, a couple of players were given the opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the senior’s side. Julian, Matey, Tzekin and Anouk were all back in the side, along with Alex. Alex was making his first start of the season, returning after a long term injury. Dean and Robbie were both given spots on the bench as a reward for their consistent performances in the Reserves. The lads got into their stride quickly from the first whistle. There were plenty of strong challenges, good pressure on the ball and some excellent movement. Applying pressure early this week was important and so it proved. Alex, who was never far from the action all afternoon, scoring with a superb low level diving header, from a pinpoint cross by Matey.
The old cliché, “You are most vulnerable after you have just scored” was never more appropriate than today. Broadmeadows were stung into action and were unlucky not to finish off a couple of quick breaks. Their first chance came after some sloppy defensive work led to a rash challenge inside the box. The resultant penalty missed but the warning signs were there. It was only a matter of time before the defense was breached and an equaliser before the break, providedsome symmetry with the preceding game.
The second half also mirrored the reserves game, with the home side taking control. Only the seniors, in this game, could not put away any chances at all. Alex, Kon and Theos all seeing chances go wide of the mark. As is the case these days, the lads tend to make life difficult and just to make things a little more challenging Tzekin saw red after a rash challenge on his opposite number. Even with 10 men the Larpent Larrikins still had the game under control. However, it was clear that as the game wore on the next goal would have been the winner. The referee had checked his watch a couple of times and in the dying seconds a ball crossed in from the left beat the outstretched arm of the keeper. It fell invitingly to Theos. After a fantastic streak of 5 goals in 3 games, Michaels golden touch let him down. He snatched the shot, allowing the relieved goalkeeper to gather the ball and clear the danger. So near and yet so far. Still, with so many forced changes the lads ground out a deserved point, which on reflection could have been a little more.
Steve was pleased with the effort of the players today. In a hastily arranged press conference after the game he commented on the hard work “They all put in today. With so many players out it was always going to be hard, but the lads dug deep. Good to see Alex back in action and even Liam stayed awake long enough to enjoy it. Now let’s start planning for Upfield. Where do I start?”
Melways and etags at the ready it’s off to Upfield we go. They are sitting top and unbeaten so the challenge is there. Last season, we went there, having only lost one game. The fact we had only played one game has nothing to do with it. This season we are unbeaten in 50% of our games and have scored in all but 5 of the 20 matches played. So we have to go there with confidence and stop their unbeaten run.