| Glen Waverley Soccer Club - Mens Seniors & Reserves |
Round One | 10.4.10
| Game Rating
Seniors
Reserves
|
It's been a while, but we're back! 6 months have slowly ticked by, but here
we are, ready to go in season 2010. The boys have hit the training track
hard and were pumped and primed ready for kick-off. So without further ado,
here we go with the first of our witty, cutting, hard hitting and ever so
slightly tongue-in-cheek weekly match reports. Hope you enjoy the read and
that you'll keep coming back for more.
Weather ... black over Bill's mothers, but not to bad where we were.
Pitch ... cow paddock and football pitch should never be used in the same
sentence except in Rowville.
Crowd ... English speakers - 45 or so, non-English speakers - 50 or so
farken.
Reserves
As we said, it's been a long time since we last saw our heroes take the park
in anger, and it was with immense pride the reserves had the privilege of
opening the season for the club. We had a couple of players making their
debut for the club - Garry Davenport and Ozkan, and as it would turn out,
both had a considerable impact on the game. Pete Stoiloudis, Kon Kritikos
and Peter Kavarnos had all played for the club in their junior days, but we
welcomed them back as part of the senior set-up. The core of last season's
squad were welcomed back too - Steve S, Dan, Yurey, Petey, a selection of
Giannikos's (or should that be Gianniki?), Sean and Sam. Taking the reins
for the first game of the season, Bill Orologas, who was hoping to pass on
his knowledge and wisdom to the ever-willing charges.
For details of the game, watch the DVD. For a brief summary read-on.
Being the first game of the season, the FFV were obviously keen to make an
impression cos they sent a referee. Not a particularly mobile one, but a ref
nevertheless. So with a an almost imperceptible toot of the whistle season
2010 was underway. It didn't take long for our lads to take charge and for
pretty much the remaining 78 minutes that's the way the game was played.
Rowville were always on the back foot and faced continuous pressure
throughout the game across the pitch. The early pressure resulted in a
corner in the first 5 minutes, and from one of the worst corner kicks you'll
ever see, Garry sniffed out a chance in the 6 yard box and got the early
goal. Welcome to the club Gaz and we told Hoppy, so the goal counts.
The midfield was solid all day - Sav, Theo and Gaz ruled the roost and with
Peter K and Yureshan out wide, the Rowville lads never looked like getting a
sniff. Except for the barbeque smoke drifting casually across the pitch of
course, but we all got a sniff of that. Steve in goal, Tony G, Dan and Peter
S had one of their easier games with nothing more than a few sporadic
attacks to deal with all day. When they were called into action everything
was dealt with effortlessly. A solid start.
As for the rest of the game it was left to Ozzie to grab the headlines. With
wonderful service from midfield and the flanks, Ozzie capitalised and
grabbed his first and second goals for the club before halftime. Details on
the DVD and will be available for purchase soon. 3-0 at half-time and things
going well. even a change of keeper for the home team made no difference as
the lads piled on the pressure in the second half. Ozzie managed to get his
hat-trick virtually straight from the kick-off and a fourth late on to cap a
wonderful first up game for the club. Checking the records, we find that
Ozzie's the first player to score four in a game for either seniors or
reserves and he is now equal third on the all-time scorers list for the
club!
Bill made changes through the half starting with Bill G for Yure, then Kon
and Sam were introduced to give the team some fresh legs and in Sam's case
the chance to start to first bit of agro of the season. Been watching Green
Street Hooligans once to often has our Sam.
Anyway, a tidy start and great way to get the season off and running. A
clean sheet and plenty of goals at the other end, a good reward for all the
pre-season effort. Well done guys, especially Ozzie, Peter Kelly (tireless)
and the midfield trio - Gaz, Theo and Sav. Now the lads could enjoy the
delights of the local cuisine, sit back and cheer on the seniors as they got
their season up and running.
Seniors
With the reserves victory celebrations still going on, the seniors looked as
if they were pumped and ready to get another three points and make it a
successful afternoon. As we said earlier, the FFV were keen to be noticed
and they sent not just one ref, but 2 linesmen as well. Very officious and
well done them. Little did we know that the ref might have had a little hand
in how the game panned out, but more of that later.
Team news? The seniors also welcomed 2 newcomers into the squad - Adam
Hopkins and Stevie Wong. There was also a couple of old Glen Waverley boys
returning to the fold. John Stoiloudis, Kimon Tsitsopoulos and Brian Lim all
played their part in the junior ranks. John especially starting off in the
U8's all those years ago. As for the rest of the team, we are proud of the
fact that the bulk of the squad is made up of returning players from last
and previous seasons.
The only other newcomer we need to announce is new coach Paul. Taking the
helm for the first time in anger, Paul was confident the team was ready and
couldn't wait for the season to start. "The team is ready and can't wait for
the start of the season" he said to our pitch side reporter. In fact he had
quite a bit to say to the pitch side reporter, but we'll leave it at that
for the time being.
Game on, and from the off the Waverley boys settled first. They set up camp
in the Rowville half. From the chances created it seemed only a matter of
time before we would be celebrating a goal. What we didn't expect was the
home team to snatch an ill-deserved goal just moments before halftime. This
was not before we had at least 4 clear chances to score. One shot from
outside of the box rattled the crossbar with the home keeper beaten. Johnny
almost opened his account when he had a clear header in the box misdirected
past the post. Some last minute desperate defending from the home team also
kept out efforts from Steven, Met and Johnny. Another attack was brought to
a shuddering halt as Met was brought down on the edge of the box. Not even a
yellow card shown to the defender was a little puzzling, but not as
puzzling as the clear handball in the box that went unpunished. Raised
eyebrows were the order of the day from this side of the fence.
So rather luckily Rowville went into the break with a one goal advantage.
Still on the balance of play, the Waverley boys were still in the game and
to a large extent on top. There was still all to play for and heads were
still up for the challenge as the second half got under way. The game got a
little feisty although understandable considering the condition of the
pitch. Almost unplayable according to the referee but the same for both
sides. The game suffered though as it became a stop/start affair with
copious free-kicks. No cards though, even though some of the challenges were
a little crude. Both sides did indulge so perhaps we can't complain.
With another couple of half chances falling the visitors way and not being
converted, Rowville, for the second time in the game, broke and couldn't
believe their luck when they grabbed a second early in the second half. A
kick in the nuts, but although there was still enough time, the lads
couldn't find the break through. We all believed if we could get one back,
another would follow.
However the longer the game went on, the more the Rowville centre back took
control in that final third. His experience basically won the game against
our willing but inexperienced front line. Steven ran all day but without
reward, Dean too had his moments and perhaps Met's injury cost us more than
we thought. Met succumbing in the first half after 35 minutes.
The introduction of Kimon and Stevie Wong couldn't change things, but we did
get a late penalty courtesy of a fortuitous handball. Probably less obvious
than the one in the first half, but gratefully received. So up stepped Micky
who calmly managed to stroke the ball -- wide! Kind of summed up the day
really.
So with the expectations high before the start of the day, we can look upon
the result as a disappointment. But the lads should hold their heads up as
the performance deserved at least a draw. We just couldn't score that's all,
but I suppose its an essential ingredient of the game. The locals were
impressed with us, and since we set out with the goal of earning respect in
that regard the day was a success.
Roll on next week when we can put it all right and cast round one firmly
into the history books.
See you all at Larpent, we've got grass there.
we are, ready to go in season 2010. The boys have hit the training track
hard and were pumped and primed ready for kick-off. So without further ado,
here we go with the first of our witty, cutting, hard hitting and ever so
slightly tongue-in-cheek weekly match reports. Hope you enjoy the read and
that you'll keep coming back for more.
Weather ... black over Bill's mothers, but not to bad where we were.
Pitch ... cow paddock and football pitch should never be used in the same
sentence except in Rowville.
Crowd ... English speakers - 45 or so, non-English speakers - 50 or so
farken.
Reserves
As we said, it's been a long time since we last saw our heroes take the park
in anger, and it was with immense pride the reserves had the privilege of
opening the season for the club. We had a couple of players making their
debut for the club - Garry Davenport and Ozkan, and as it would turn out,
both had a considerable impact on the game. Pete Stoiloudis, Kon Kritikos
and Peter Kavarnos had all played for the club in their junior days, but we
welcomed them back as part of the senior set-up. The core of last season's
squad were welcomed back too - Steve S, Dan, Yurey, Petey, a selection of
Giannikos's (or should that be Gianniki?), Sean and Sam. Taking the reins
for the first game of the season, Bill Orologas, who was hoping to pass on
his knowledge and wisdom to the ever-willing charges.
For details of the game, watch the DVD. For a brief summary read-on.
Being the first game of the season, the FFV were obviously keen to make an
impression cos they sent a referee. Not a particularly mobile one, but a ref
nevertheless. So with a an almost imperceptible toot of the whistle season
2010 was underway. It didn't take long for our lads to take charge and for
pretty much the remaining 78 minutes that's the way the game was played.
Rowville were always on the back foot and faced continuous pressure
throughout the game across the pitch. The early pressure resulted in a
corner in the first 5 minutes, and from one of the worst corner kicks you'll
ever see, Garry sniffed out a chance in the 6 yard box and got the early
goal. Welcome to the club Gaz and we told Hoppy, so the goal counts.
The midfield was solid all day - Sav, Theo and Gaz ruled the roost and with
Peter K and Yureshan out wide, the Rowville lads never looked like getting a
sniff. Except for the barbeque smoke drifting casually across the pitch of
course, but we all got a sniff of that. Steve in goal, Tony G, Dan and Peter
S had one of their easier games with nothing more than a few sporadic
attacks to deal with all day. When they were called into action everything
was dealt with effortlessly. A solid start.
As for the rest of the game it was left to Ozzie to grab the headlines. With
wonderful service from midfield and the flanks, Ozzie capitalised and
grabbed his first and second goals for the club before halftime. Details on
the DVD and will be available for purchase soon. 3-0 at half-time and things
going well. even a change of keeper for the home team made no difference as
the lads piled on the pressure in the second half. Ozzie managed to get his
hat-trick virtually straight from the kick-off and a fourth late on to cap a
wonderful first up game for the club. Checking the records, we find that
Ozzie's the first player to score four in a game for either seniors or
reserves and he is now equal third on the all-time scorers list for the
club!
Bill made changes through the half starting with Bill G for Yure, then Kon
and Sam were introduced to give the team some fresh legs and in Sam's case
the chance to start to first bit of agro of the season. Been watching Green
Street Hooligans once to often has our Sam.
Anyway, a tidy start and great way to get the season off and running. A
clean sheet and plenty of goals at the other end, a good reward for all the
pre-season effort. Well done guys, especially Ozzie, Peter Kelly (tireless)
and the midfield trio - Gaz, Theo and Sav. Now the lads could enjoy the
delights of the local cuisine, sit back and cheer on the seniors as they got
their season up and running.
Seniors
With the reserves victory celebrations still going on, the seniors looked as
if they were pumped and ready to get another three points and make it a
successful afternoon. As we said earlier, the FFV were keen to be noticed
and they sent not just one ref, but 2 linesmen as well. Very officious and
well done them. Little did we know that the ref might have had a little hand
in how the game panned out, but more of that later.
Team news? The seniors also welcomed 2 newcomers into the squad - Adam
Hopkins and Stevie Wong. There was also a couple of old Glen Waverley boys
returning to the fold. John Stoiloudis, Kimon Tsitsopoulos and Brian Lim all
played their part in the junior ranks. John especially starting off in the
U8's all those years ago. As for the rest of the team, we are proud of the
fact that the bulk of the squad is made up of returning players from last
and previous seasons.
The only other newcomer we need to announce is new coach Paul. Taking the
helm for the first time in anger, Paul was confident the team was ready and
couldn't wait for the season to start. "The team is ready and can't wait for
the start of the season" he said to our pitch side reporter. In fact he had
quite a bit to say to the pitch side reporter, but we'll leave it at that
for the time being.
Game on, and from the off the Waverley boys settled first. They set up camp
in the Rowville half. From the chances created it seemed only a matter of
time before we would be celebrating a goal. What we didn't expect was the
home team to snatch an ill-deserved goal just moments before halftime. This
was not before we had at least 4 clear chances to score. One shot from
outside of the box rattled the crossbar with the home keeper beaten. Johnny
almost opened his account when he had a clear header in the box misdirected
past the post. Some last minute desperate defending from the home team also
kept out efforts from Steven, Met and Johnny. Another attack was brought to
a shuddering halt as Met was brought down on the edge of the box. Not even a
yellow card shown to the defender was a little puzzling, but not as
puzzling as the clear handball in the box that went unpunished. Raised
eyebrows were the order of the day from this side of the fence.
So rather luckily Rowville went into the break with a one goal advantage.
Still on the balance of play, the Waverley boys were still in the game and
to a large extent on top. There was still all to play for and heads were
still up for the challenge as the second half got under way. The game got a
little feisty although understandable considering the condition of the
pitch. Almost unplayable according to the referee but the same for both
sides. The game suffered though as it became a stop/start affair with
copious free-kicks. No cards though, even though some of the challenges were
a little crude. Both sides did indulge so perhaps we can't complain.
With another couple of half chances falling the visitors way and not being
converted, Rowville, for the second time in the game, broke and couldn't
believe their luck when they grabbed a second early in the second half. A
kick in the nuts, but although there was still enough time, the lads
couldn't find the break through. We all believed if we could get one back,
another would follow.
However the longer the game went on, the more the Rowville centre back took
control in that final third. His experience basically won the game against
our willing but inexperienced front line. Steven ran all day but without
reward, Dean too had his moments and perhaps Met's injury cost us more than
we thought. Met succumbing in the first half after 35 minutes.
The introduction of Kimon and Stevie Wong couldn't change things, but we did
get a late penalty courtesy of a fortuitous handball. Probably less obvious
than the one in the first half, but gratefully received. So up stepped Micky
who calmly managed to stroke the ball -- wide! Kind of summed up the day
really.
So with the expectations high before the start of the day, we can look upon
the result as a disappointment. But the lads should hold their heads up as
the performance deserved at least a draw. We just couldn't score that's all,
but I suppose its an essential ingredient of the game. The locals were
impressed with us, and since we set out with the goal of earning respect in
that regard the day was a success.
Roll on next week when we can put it all right and cast round one firmly
into the history books.
See you all at Larpent, we've got grass there.
