Good evening ladies, gentlemen and Alistair. Welcome to our feeble attempt
to portray an accurate account of our weekend's adventure in the FFV SE
Metro league. The sun is beginning to set on our season and this was our
last home fixture for the year. As it turned out, it was a successful day,
with both teams taking the "biccies" and now we can fill you in with all the
details. Hope it's worth the read.

Weather ... Low clouds, scudding through the storm tossed sky, driven by a
chilling south westerly wind, straight from the South pole.
Pitch ... And did those feet, in ancient times, walk upon Larpent's pastures
green!
Crowd ... 35,567, a ground record.
Canteen ... overwhelmed!

Straight into it this week, with the team news. Starting line-up - Nick in
goal, Muzz, Lachlan, Vass, Hyphenated Simon, Sean, Theo, Alex V, Gilly,
Mansh and Nick Mav. On the bench - Sam C, Peter S, Jack D and an empty can
left over from last week.

Sitting one point off top spot, the lads needed to keep the pressure on
Harrisfield by getting the result today. The team was chock full of
youngsters and it was good to see them still getting the opportunity, even
this late in the season.

For those late-comers to the game they missed the explosive start, as the
boys were 1-0 up in the first minute. Straight from the kick off the ball
was played out wide to the right. Gilly was upended and a free kick was
given. Theo floated the ball into the box and up rose Simon to head home his
first for the club on the 40 second mark. The quickest goal of the season by
far.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0, as Nick Mav was put clean through from a ball
by Gilly. One on one with the keeper, Nick gave the hapless guy no chance as
he calmly slotted in from 12 metres out. A super start and well deserved.

Old Mentonians started to get some forward movement happening but didn't put
any pressure on Nick at all. Nick did however get a nasty kick whilst
clearing a back pass. The challenger went unpunished in what was a cheap
shot. Nick bravely struggled on until half-time but had to be replaced by
Lachlan. Lachie up until then had had a super game at centre half, but was
given the gloves to see if he could do a job. First time in goal since U11's
apparently and he'd forgotten nothing as he kept a clean sheet. Well done
young fella.

With the lads playing well, the result was never really in doubt. The only
question remaining was how many they would win by. Theo tried his luck from
long range, Mansh shot wide from close range and Nick again shot from
anywhere, with the ball going everywhere. So with the shooting going astray
it was Simon who grabbed his second of the game and again it came from his
head. So much for the new boots Simon. You didn't need them.

As we said, the team had the young lads to thank for much of the good stuff
happening on the day and it was young Jack D who capped off a terrific day
with an outstanding strike. From all of 25 metres he rifled in a shot which
flew into the top left hand corner. A great goal and contender for goal of
the season. This finished off the scoring for the day and the referee
decided that the smell from the barbeque was far more appetising than
carrying on with the game.

So three points gained, taking the reserves up to 50 points for the season.
Not a bad tally and a points total that would win most leagues. One more
game to go and no disgrace finishing runners up. But let's see what happens
next week and hope that Endeavour might grab something off Harrisfield. Well
done boys, especially Simon, who had an outstanding game, Alex V and Vass,
who both again showed what we can look forward to in seasons to come. Right
now, it was time for the senior boys to take centre stage and for the rest
of us to sit back and enjoy the fun.

We'll start with the team news, so you've got a fair idea of who was in and
who wasn't. The team lined up with Al in goal, Micky V, Dean, Petey, Avish,
Met, Kon D, Marty, Lloyd, Prish and Micky P. On the bench were Nick Mav,
Jarrod, Simon, Sammy, Alex V and the can left over from last week.

Only Alex was missing from this weeks starting line up, but it was down the
left that most of the early Waverley attacks came. Avish and Lloydy were
linking up well, and with Micky P making himself the option, the lads had
Old Mintonians on the back foot. For the first twenty minutes or so, it was
continuous Waverley attacking. Good to see as well. It was Lloyd though that
had the first real attempt on goal, but his half-volley screwed wide. The
visiting keeper didn't look too flash with his handling and Micky P gave
this a test with another half chance on the ten minute mark.

With the old schoolboys hardly in the game, it was a surprise when they
eventually broke and found themselves in the box. A clumsy challenge in the
box was lucky not to draw the penalty, but it was obviously too early in the
game for the referee.

What happened next though would grace any comedy capers highlights reel. The
ball was won by Kon in the middle of the park and then played through for
Micky P, although the ball was a little too strong. The keeper came out to
clear and with magnificent kicking skill, missed the ball completely. He
turned and to his horror and our amusement the ball rolled into the empty
net. Micky P helped it on its way. The ref marked it down as an own goal,
but we're not sure how, so we're happy to let Micky take the plaudits. The
red-faced keeper wouldn't live it down. His day went from bad to worse
though as he had to be replaced in the second half after taking a whack in
the face from our resident hard man Prashan. Thug!

1-0 at half time and a fairly comfortable 1-0 at that. Whilst the score
stayed like that though, it was always going to be nervy, but the boys were
absolutely solid throughout the second half. Micky V and Petey cleaned up
everything in the back line. Alistair had a safe pair of hands in goal all
game and the midfield pairing of Marty and Kon pretty much controlled the
game from there. Micky P's pace up front made sure the visiting defence had
no respite.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, but Lloydy came close
with a rasping shot from out left that stung the keepers hands. The lads
couldn't capitalise on the string of corners they forced, but that had more
to do with the giant of a player the visitors had to give them the aerial
edge.

One highlight of the second half though, had to be the introduction of Alex
Vaudeau. He became the fourth U18 player to make his seniors debut this
season and he let no-one down with his performance. A great first touch and
his range of passing was pleasing on the eye.

The game finished with the visitors pressing for an unlikely equaliser. A
couple of cheap free-kicks around the box were easily dealt with and the ref
finally saw fit to end the game with everyone biting their finger nails.
Cheers of joy or relief? It was hard to tell, but the victory chant in the
room afterwards certainly gave the impression that the lads enjoyed the win.
A great come-back from the 0-5 score down at their ground.

Top performers on the day were definitely Marty (solid in midfield) and the
central defence pairing of Petey and Micky V. It was a good team effort
though and a great way to finish off our home matches for the season. Now
it's off to Parkmore to see if we could finish off the season in style. See
you all down there. Be good. If you can't be good, be careful.