So where were we this week? Oh yes, back at Larpent and playing Darebin for the 76th time this season. It had rained plenty during the week, but God had turned the taps off on Saturday. Unfortunately he left the freezer door open. It was brass monkey weather, with a biting wind cutting across our hallowed turf. The lads though are made of stern stuff and braved the bracing elements, hoping to put on a good show against our Iraqi visitors from downtown Darebin. Read on to see if their endeavours were fruitful or fruitless ... 

Reserves

Glen Waverley (0) 0 v 6 (3) Darebin

Once again, the team was hampered by some last minute changes to the starting line up. 2 players called in sick and our two rising stars – Kenneth and Alex were unavailable as they were resting up prior to a crunch match in the U16’s. However we were able to call on the services of a couple of elder statesmen from the Masters – Jochen in goal and Bill at the heart of defence. A shrill blast on John’s whistle got the game underway. The opening exchanges were pretty even, with neither side creating too much in the way of clear cut chances. As the game wore on, the visitors took control in the middle of the park. This control eventually told

on the Larpent Lads and goals 1, 2 and 3 came with monotonous regularity. Poor marking and

elementary errors made the opposition look better than they really were. Hopefully the second half would see things improve. The reserves did step up their game, and were unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Chance after chance went begging. Again, the missed chances were to prove their undoing as Darebin managed to score on their only ventures into the Glen Waverley half. Three goals later and the game was all over. There were no real standout performances today, but Tze Kin tried manfully and Matthew Soon gave his all up front all to no avail.

Third game in a row, without a goal for their efforts left Sir Alex in a pensive mood. “We need to get back to doing the simple things properly and building from that. We look good going forward but just lack that killer blow. If only ....”

Seniors

Glen Waverley (1) 2 v 2 (1) Darebin

It was now the turn of the Seniors to see if they could give the massed crowds something to cheer. With Ben sidelined at the last minute and Steve and Petey out to long term injuries, the side had a slightly unfamiliar look. It took a few minutes for the lads to settle, but once they got into their stride they looked very competitive. That was until Darebin took their one and only chance of the first half. Some slack marking left the Darebin centre forward with too much space and time at the far post and he calmly made it 1-0. The lads didn’t drop their heads and pressed forward putting pressure on the visitors for the remainder of the half. Dean working hard on the right, did enough to earn a corner kick. A well directed ball from Kon was missed by the flying Hayden, but caught on the half-volley by “Tank” Reed and hammered into the net. 1-1 and everything to play for. The second half was pretty much one-way traffic as the Waverley Waifs had the lion share of possession. Sooner or later they had to make this possession tell.

 Alex T and Theos were introduced in the second half hoping to weave their magic and excite the massed ranks on the terraces. It was Theos who provided that extra bit of magic, sending an exquisite through ball to Nanos who tucked away a neat finish into the far corner. The crowd went wild and anticipation grew as we pondered the possibility of a long overdue win. Bill said “Look at the clouds.” So we did. The clouds did have an unusual texture, but it was what was happening on the pitch that drew our attention. Hayden was bundled over on the very edge on the box. Was it inside? Did he dive? Was it a penalty? As the referee pointed to the spot. Hayden got up, dusted himself off and the crowd went strangely quiet – then he missed, making it our third missed penalty of the season. Anyway, still 2-1 up and everything to play for. Darebin however were not finished and they took advantage of a lack of concentration to snatch an undeserved equaliser. The game finished even although flurry of late chances could have given the home side the points.

We caught up with a disconsolate Steve after the game. “How did we let that go?” he said. “The game was in the bag, and we were playing well. We need to learn to finish teams off, but at least we scored again.”

Bill said “Look at the clouds.”