Here we are, the weekly nonsense from Spike Foster.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our weekly attempt to try and paint a
mental picture of what transpired in Round 6 in the lofty heights of the
Provisional league division 3. Firstly some sad news. I'm sure you'll all
join me in offering condolences to Julian Mancini, as he and his family,
mourn the sad loss of his Grandfather. Our thoughts are with you Jules. It
took enormous strength of character to get out and play this week.
Now we have to get back to the action. This week we were on the road again.
Whilst we didn't travel too far, we did think we'd taken a wrong turn
somewhere as there was a distinct Macedonian feel to where we ended up. Not
sure if I heard anyone say welcome, but who knows, they could have said
anything they liked, as there wasn't too much of the Queens spoken there.
Mind you they certainly knew how to swear, and drink, and smoke. Never mind
each to their own and there's none as good as us, eh? Not a pleasant
location, but the pitch was good enough and the weather was as good as it
gets here in Melbourne at this time of year. "So what happened?" I hear you
ask. Read on and you'll find out at least one version of today's events.
Round 6 v Noble Park
Venue ... Norman Luth Reserve (don't know who he was, nor do I care for that
matter)
Weather ... Autumnal
Reserves
Result ... 2-1
(Halftime score ... 0-0)
Scorers ... Prashan, Sam
For the first time this season, the Reserves were honoured with the presence
of an official referee. We are glad because Noble Park is not the sort of
place or team you want to come to without some official support. The
reserves squad was largely unchanged from the previous weeks but there was a
slight change to the starting line up with Sam, little Sean and Sean the
dentist all drafted into the starting X1. Steve Samelis was in goal for the
third game in a row and more from him later. The reserves have been getting
stronger and stronger week in week out and this would be in no small part
due to the formidable backline. Dan, Bill O, Bill G and Theo are proving a
tough nut to crack and this week would be no exception.
As promised, "Steve Samelis". I said more from him later and there we were.
In actual fact, Steve had a pretty good game this week, although the back
four did a good job of protecting their keeper, who happens to be called
Steve Samelis. Sorry mate, just making up for some glaring omissions from
previous match reports.
The game started and was largely uneventful for the first 10 or 15 minutes
as neither side took control. It was the referee who made the strongest
statement as he issued the first yellow card for an unsavoury challenge on
Sam. This signalled his intent as he stamped control early on. The home side
did a bit of whinging but their physical approach brought them no favours
from the ref.
Resplendent in their white away kit, the boys from the posh end of town took
control. The rest of the first half was played largely in the Noble Park
half. Chances fell to Sam, Yuri and Sean, and Theo also saw another free
kick sail narrowly wide. Yuri started up front, but his natural tendency is
to drop deep so we moved him out wide on the left. Sam took up the challenge
in the forward line. Eddie and little Sean worked well in the middle, but
most our good stuff came from Prashan on the left. The home side had little
to offer but desperate lunges and cynical challenges. The Glen Waverley boys
stood up well and it would only be a matter of time before they would get
their reward.
It took until the second half though for the visitors to get their first
clear chance on goal. Bill O should have done better with his header from a
corner, sending the ball wide. However moments later, disappointment turned
to joy as Prashan got his first for the club and the opening goal of the
game. Rising to meet a cross from Yuri, his glancing header crept in at the
far post. Noble Park, who were fairly lacklustre up to this point, finally
stepped up a gear. Pushing on down the right they managed to grab an
equaliser of comical proportions. Steve came out to challenge the ball only
to see his rebound bounce off the wingers knee. It bounced into the box
where the Noble Park forward latched onto it sending it into the empty net.
An unlucky goal to concede and totally against the run play.
Was it going to be one of those days? Murray and Matt Soon were sent on to
add fresh legs. More chances were created - Bill O had 2 more headers from
corners and Murray will have nightmares about his miss when it looked easier
to score. But with time running out, it was left to our very own Demi God,
Sam who stepped in to grab a richly deserved winner. Not too sure on the
details, but who gives a toss. Three points were in the bag and no other
result would have been acceptable.
A resounding win and well deserved, from an ever-improving team. The boys
are looking solid and should step into every game full of confidence.
Captain Dan was full of praise. "I'm full of praise" said Dan. Theo said
"I'm full of jelly beans", and we couldn't argue.
So if there was any jelly beans left, would we see them weave some magic
into the seniors. Let's sit back and find out.
Seniors
Result ... 2-5
(Halftime score ... 0-3)
Scorers ... Greg, Steve V
After the heroics of last week, the question was could the lads lift
themselves for another epic performance. During the week it looked as though
the squad would be depleted by sickness and injury. Alex and Metin
succumbed to injuries picked up the previous week and sat the game out.
Anouk was missing through sickness, although Greg managed to shake off his
bout of the lurgi to take his place in the starting line up.
So before the game kicked off we decided to check out the delights of the
Noble Park culinary offerings. A jolly pleasant experience, the jovial
character behind the cage enquired as to what we wished to partake of.
"What you want, farken?"
"We would like some souvlaki please" we responded in equally pleasant tones.
So with cigarette firmly clenched between teeth he served up sausage in a
roll, with stuff on.
Never mind, service with a smile. Can't ask for anything more, farken.
Ah, the game, we almost forgot in our gastronomic indulgence. The seniors
game was also blessed with officialdom and for the first time ever in our
short history, we had a referee and TWO official linesmen. Wow! Mind you
this gave us some indication of the history of our opponents, if the FFV
thought it necessary to send out referee's in force. On this occasion though
they needn't have bothered because we gave the home side no reason to get
upset or otherwise.
Within 16 minutes of the start we'd gifted Noble Park 2 goals, the first
from a well taken free-kick just outside the box and the second a minute
later. A third followed another 10 minutes later and things were sinking
faster than the Titantic. It looked as if the lads were still asleep as it
took them until 30 minutes to get fired up and into the game. At 0-3 down,
they started to play some half decent football and by half-time still looked
like they could get something from the game.
Steve's halftime talk seemed to have some effect as Glen Waverley took the
game to the home side. A number of chances gave the lads some hope and Greg
finally tucked one away to give the home side something to think about.
Chance after chance fell our way and again the home side keeper had one of
those days. It was Seaford revisited as Nanos missed a sitter, Steve blazed
over the bar along with others. Steve then latched onto a through ball and
lobbed the advancing keeper to bring the score back to 2-3. Game on. 15
minutes later game off. The little guy just brought on on the right was left
unmarked at a corner and he hit a superb half-volley past Alistair's
outstretched arm. This seemed to take the wind out of our sails and even the
introduction of Matey and Ian couldn't retrieve the situation. The
coup-de-grace was delivered by Noble Park as they grabbed the fifth to give
the home side a slightly flattering scoreline.
Final analysis says the opposition wasn't the best, but like all teams they
needed to be respected. As we said it was always going to be difficult to
back up after last week, but this is what's needed if we are to ultimately
succeed this season. One defeat in four games lads, it's not the end of the
world. Roll on next Saturday and another chance to show everyone who we are.
Who are we? Glen Waverley! And don't you forget it....farken.