Hi everybody, here we are again, fresh with another riveting read from the
Weekly Bulldust. Another weekend, that flew by at the speed of light and a
successful one at that. So where were we this week? Well, we were down in
the posh end of Dandenong, if there is such a thing. The reserve was in a
reasonably pleasant location however and it was called the Lois Twohig
Reserve after a City of Dandenong councillor who served on the council from
1959-71 and was its mayor on two occasions, from 1968-69 and from 1972-75.
All that hard work as a councillor and then they name somewhere that dogs
can do a dump after you. The irony must have escaped them. What about the
football, I hear you call. Patience folks and we'll get there. As we said,
it was a good day all round so you can now find out the details for
yourselves by reading on.

Weather .... Better than Walesland. Sunny enough to get a bit rosy cheeked.
Pitch ... In excellent nick. Nice and flat.
Crowd ... Built up steadily through the day with a few casual dog-walkers
stopping to take in the entertainment.
Canteen ... Didn't fill us full of enthusiasm when the chips came out of a
pie warmer, especially when the pie warmer hadn't been switched on. The less
said about the beer the better.

This week the reserves were up against the third placed side, and the
Warriors were still in with a shout of finishing top, especially since they
still had in a game in hand. So the lads knew that if they could get the
"biccies" today, they would see off this particular challenge and make it
hard for them to snatch top or even second place.

Team selection, as has been the case over the last few weeks, was made a
little difficult by the continued unavailability of the majority of the
development squad. We have been nurturing some of the talented U18's this
season, but obviously other commitments have made it hard for some to make
themselves available for the ressies. The fact that this is meant as a match
report precludes me from continuing this as a critique on the merits of this
particular football clubs selection or non-selection policy.

Once again though we did have the ever-enthusiastic Vassill and the
precociously talented Erick available, along with Marcus, Ryan and Karl from
the U18B's. Karl was warmly welcomed into the squad as this was the first
time he had been given the opportunity to play with the reserves. Great to
see and he became the 17th junior player (U18 or U16) to play some part in
our season. They joined the regular line-up which included Nick in goal,
Sean, Hyphenated Simon, Theo, Muzz, Gilly, Manch and Nick Mav. One addition
this week was the return of the GD32's - yes, Gazz. Persuaded to put on the
boots for a last hurrah, Gazz reminded us of what we'd been missing. Of
course we'd certainly missed that fairy running style.

If Lois Twohig was watching from her office in the sky, she would have been
pleased with what she saw. Both teams played out as high a quality reserves
game as you'd wish to see. Both teams took advantage of the good pitch and
knocked the ball around well. It was the visitors though who showed the most
attacking potential. Utilising the wings, the Waverley boys were quick to
put the home team under pressure. Erick and Nick both combined well and had
a few early chances. Both Theo and Muzz were comfortable in the middle of
the park.

The GD32's were tied on tight and this was how Gazz played all afternoon. He
probably had the easiest player on him, but he still needed to do a job.
Vassill on the other flank was also enjoying a solid game and seems to have
rediscovered the early season confidence. Player of the game had to be
hyphenated Simon, who had been suddenly found out. Thinking he was a
striker, it was clear to all he would make a cracking sweeper and that's
where he got put. He had a super game, clearing everything with towering
headers and excellent reading of the game. The blot on his game? Finishing
from 1 metre out. Smack, straight into the keeper. Mind, he's not on his
own. Manch managed to blaze over from the same range.

These 2 glaring misses were not to cost us though, as Nick had already
managed to smash home the first. A cracking header at the far post from a
perfect flighted corner. Theo being the deliverer can take credit for the
assist. The boys were on top and were for much of the game. The passing and
movement was high quality, none more so than the move that resulted in Erick
grabbing the second. A diagonal ball into the box, from Gilly found the
perfectly timed run from Erick. He then casually flicked the ball over the
advancing keeper.

Both goals came in the first half and clearly demonstrated that the Waverley
boys were on top. The second half didn't change anything and the boys
continued pressing. The only disappointing thing was that the lads couldn't
add to their tally. The introduction of Ryan, Marcus and Karl didn't weaken
the side any as their enthusiasm had the Warriors continually on the back
foot. Karl came to close to capping off his debut with a dream goal. Trying
to hook a half volley in on the turn, he didn't quite get the power on the
shot. Erick also tried his luck when latching onto a through ball, but found
himself taking a snap shot with his weaker left foot. Easy for the keeper.

There were no real dramas as the game drew to a close. Another three points
safely tucked away and especially pleasing as this was against one of the
nearest challengers. A top quality game lads, enjoyable to watch and a top
result. A special mention this week for man-of-the-match Simon who had a
storming game, Erick who caused mayhem up front and Gilly as dynamic as
ever. Two games to go, six points up for grabs and maybe .... just maybe ...
well, we won't go there. Let's just settle back and see if we can get the
senior boys over the line.

There were question marks over most of the senior squad this week. LFT's
were conducted on Kon, Jarrod, Micky V, Alex and Petey's dog. A little bit
of kennel cough, a sore ankle, a tweaked groin and a twisted sock. Pete's
dog was fine though. Seriously though, the squad was looking a little
threadbare in the week, but most of the walking wounded managed to shake off
the various niggles and were right for the game. A big game this week too,
as a result would see us back in the chase for second place.

The line-up then took on a fairly familiar look - Alistair between the
sticks (not much between the ears though), a backline with an average age of
thirteen - Pete, Sam, Dean and Lloyd. A midfield with an average age of 53 -
Met, Kon, Alex and Micky V and a front line with a total age of 40 something
- Prashan and Micky P. On the bench? Jarrod, Marty, Avish, Nick Mav, Nick A
and someone else to keep them company.

Another week and we had full complement of officials. We had two linesmen
and a ref who's age could only be determined by cutting off his head and
counting the rings. Not really one to criticise the ref, since it's not a
job I'd particularly want to do, so I wont. I'll leave that to others to
call him a useless dipstick who wouldn't know a dirty tackle from dirty
laundry. On with the review.

Apart from the less than favourable officiating, both teams played out an
entertaining and fast paced game. The home side were keen to show off their
passing skills and the Waverley boys gave a good display of counterattacking
and determined football.

The first chance of note fell to the home side but a long range effort
sailed well over Al's crossbar. In response, the ball was moved quickly
through the midfield and a ball across the box from Kon found Alex unmarked
on the edge of the box. He didn't have enough time to bring it down, so
elected to hit it on the half-volley, only to see his shot miss the near
post by a couple of feet. A range finder, but poor Alex succumbed to his
delicate hamstring and was replaced in the 20th minute by Avish. The
Waverley boys rolled up their sleeves and midway through the half had pretty
much taken control of the game. Petey and the boys at the back had their
opposite numbers measure but were unlucky to concede the first goal against
the run of play.

The ball had found its way to Micky P upfront, but as he waited for
reinforcements to arrive he lost possession. The ball was played long and
into the Waverley penalty area. It didn't appear to be too dangerous and
Met, facing his own goal, tried to clear on the turn. His mistimed clearance
fell invitingly for a Warriors forward who gratefully took his chance.
Totally against the run of play, the home side couldn't believe their luck.

This didn't faze the Waverley boys as they knew they still had the upper
hand, even though the score didn't reflect their superiority. The equaliser
was only a matter of time and it came at pee-time. Yes, pee-time. This
worthy scribe had a call of nature a few minutes before half-time and took
the opportunity to beat the halftime rush. You know the rest ... we scored.
I was then told to stay in there. Do you know how many wickets, goals,
winners and the like I've missed because of my bladder? The goal was
actually an own goal, a deflection which came from a through ball from Kon,
apparently.

Anyway, it doesn't matter because the boys were back in the game and rightly
so. The second half was a repeat performance, not of my toilet trips, but
the lads being on top. A couple of chances did fall the home sides way
though, but Alistair was equal to anything they could throw at him. One
particular one-handed save low down, sticks in the memory banks. Chances at
the other end fell to Prashan and Micky P, who was testing the home side
backline time and time again. In fact Micky was having as good a game as
he's ever had in a Glen Waverley shirt. He capped off his performance though
with a superb opportunistic strikers chance. Capitalising on a classis
defender/goal-keeper "yours - no, yours" situation and calmly slotted home
what would prove to be the eventual winner.

Lloyd almost smashed home what would have been the best goal of the day, but
his long range drive from out wide on the left was brilliantly save by the
home keeper. Hoppy decided to put a lid on things with Micky V dropping into
the backline. Jarrod and Marty were also sent on to button up the middle of
the park. However by sitting deep the home side went in desperate search of
the equaliser. They had a couple of free-kicks in the dying moments of the
game and on both occasions the ball found the back of the net. It was the
striker though who used his hand both times, and both times spotted by the
officials. Time seemed to drag on as Micky Mouse's hands were almost up
Minnie Mouse's skirt. The game ended in a fusillade of whistles as the clock
had clicked round to darkness time and beer o'clock. A nervy ending but a
hugely enjoyable and well-deserved win.

Fantastic to get another three points, and bring us within one win of second
place. All still to play for in a very open league.

Well done lads, especially those who soldiered on with niggly injuries that
probably need a rest. We've got two weeks to rest the weary bodies and get
ready to right the wrong that is Old Mintonians. So have a good break next
week and we'll see you all at Larpent in two weeks time. Wonder who Larpent
was?

Toodle pip.