That week flew by didn't it? Can't believe Saturday's here again, but we're
not complaining. Anyway, the season is well and truly in full swing and this
weekend we found ourselves down at Howard Dawson Reserve, preparing to take
on the challenge of St Kevin's. How can we describe the ground? Well, it
depended on which way you looked. On one side there was the bustling Monash
freeway, sub-station and a crackling electricity pylon. However if you
turned around, we could take in a beautiful tree lined vista with kiddies
play park and middle class mansions backing onto the park. So there we are.
OK, the football, and yes, there was some. This week Hoppy and Simon really
had to call on the strength and depth of the junior club, since no less than
7 seniors players were unavailable through illness and injury. Even 4 or 5
of those who played were not at 100%. So the lads faced a bit of a
challenge, and if you read on, you'll find out how they did.


Weather ... Was better than expected. About 16deg when the sun came out, no
breeze to speak of, and dry. So perfect football weather.
Pitch ... Pretty good, even with the obligatory cricket pitch in the middle.
Crowd ... Not many, but a few casual Saturday afternoon strollers stopped by
for a butchers.
Canteen ... Surprisingly good. Burgers were excellent and staff were
friendly. Tea in a mug with a muffin for $1:50 was good value.

Special note number 1 ... New arrival ... Isla Renee Davenport at 8lbs
(about as heavy as Gilly!). Congrats to the Davenports
Special note number 2 ... 50 games up for Prashan De Mel. Congrats to
Prashan.
Special note number 3 ... 100 games up for Tony Giannikos. Congrats to
Toe-Knee.

As mentioned before, the reserves were a bit light on the ground
this week with a couple of the lads out injured. So in came Stevie Frantzis,
Vassil Andreev and Jack Walshe all from the Under 18's. Sean returned in
goal, much to Dan's relief. Gilly and Muzz dropped to the bench since both
were not 100%. With changes aplenty, it was understandable then that the
reserves took a while to get going. About 65 minutes actually. The first
half was a tale of missed opportunities and clumsy challenges.
       Missed opportunities from our lads and clumsy, bordering on
dangerous challenges from the home side. Stevie was on the receiving end of
a particularly late tackle which should have got punished a little more
severely than the referee gave. The ref decided on this occasion to keep his
cards in his pockets.
       There was some sporadic football played and on the odd occasion the
boys knocked the ball around, they looked as if they could capitalise. Young
Jack W enjoyed himself out on the left and a couple of chances fell his way.
His long range efforts didn't trouble the keeper too much.
       The boys looked solid at the back with Dan marshalling the troops
well. Peter S was in fine form as was Sammy. Vassil slotted in fine a right
back. Sean, was largely untroubled during the game, but commanded his box
with authority. As usual Savva pulled the strings in the middle and a lot of
searching balls found willing feet with Nick and Theo giving plenty of
options. Also getting his fair share of the ball was Mansh, who shows
flashes of what he's capable of with some nice touches.
       Half-time came and went, as did a burger, a cup of tea and a quick
gas-bag with anyone that would listen. Always nice to catch up with old
friends that we haven't seen for ages. Well, last Saturday anyway.
       Most of the action was reserved for the second half. The home side
came out with a bang and started to have most of the play for 15 minutes or
so. They lost a player to stupidity after 60 minutes though, but from a
free-kick they took advantage of a goalmouth scramble and grabbed an
unlikely lead. Within 6 minutes of the restart though, the Glen Waverley
boys were back level. Theo slotted home the equaliser, his first of the
season, the culmination of some good movement down the right. (I was sorting
the seniors out, so I have no clue as to who made the goal - fill in details
on Facetube please).
       The referee had obviously found where his cards were kept, because
there was a flurry in the second half, mainly for the home side, who's
challenges got more angry by the minute. Amidst it all though, the boys used
their numerical superiority to good advantage. Nick was replaced by Gilly
late in the half, and the inspired substitution had its rewards as Gilly
found himself one on one with the keeper. His first shot was stopped but he
followed in the rebound and floated a cool finish into the empty net. The
boys never looked in trouble from then on in and it remained at 2-1.
       Another three points bagged and the lads can now look down on
everyone else as they finished the day in top spot on the ladder. Not a
polished performance, but to win while not playing too well, is the sign of
a good team. Well done boys, especially the Under 18's who are proving their
worth at this level.

The senior lads were no different to the reserves, in that they had
a couple of forced changes. Only one on the pitch though as Avish replaced
Gary at right back. Tony G, Christian M, Nick, Sammy and Dan were this
week's back-up on the bench. The team that took the pitch had a familiar
look - Dean, Micky, Avish and Lloydy across the back, Prashan, Goodie, Met
and Alex taking centre stage and Anthony and Ozzie at the pointy end. For
most of the first half, the lads played pretty familiar football. From the
kick off pressure was put on the home side with Ozzie and Anthony flying.
Anthony in fact took only 6 minutes to get his eye in and opened the scoring
with an exquisite lob over the keeper from 20 yards out. In the front third,
the Glen Waverley boys look sharp and some of the movement off the ball was
good to watch as was the passing.
       The visitors enjoyed almost all of the play for the next 25 to 30
minutes with 6 or 7 corners won. The home side did defend with some
desperation and managed to keep their lines clear and the score at 1-0.
Their attacks were few and far between, but for a brief period they did look
like they could get back on level terms. One effort from a free kick was
easily saved by Alistair, but he could only look on helplessly as another
shot rattled his bar. Sometimes you have to ride your luck, and we've had
our share of bad luck over the years, so it's nice to see it go our way this
time. St Kevin's couldn't put away the equaliser.
       Having weathered the storm, the lads battled on and doubled their
lead in the 35th minute. Following up from another free-kick, Micky V, that
new goal-scoring sensation got his melon to the ball first and headed home
from about three feet out. At 2-0 the boys looked comfortable, but it's
always said it's the most dangerous score line. We've got plenty of history
playing St Kevin's and it surprised no-one when they managed to pull one
back. We're surprised at how it came though. Lloydy was beaten to the ball
as the home forward ran through. As they both chased the ball into the box,
a leaf fell gently from a nearby tree, causing a merest waft of movement in
the still air causing the forward to tumble to the ground. Impressed by the
artistic grace of the falling player, the referee rewarded the effort with a
penalty. As for Lloydy, he wasn't that impressed by the dive, so the ref
gave him a yellow. Anyway, Al was given no chance with the spot kick as it
was drilled into the bottom corner. Fair play, a good kick. Not really
deserved though.
       The half-time team talk just needed to address some of the on field
back chat and lip. The home side had plenty to say and we got sucked into
some it. The ref got sucked in a little too. There was one too many on field
assistants telling him how to ref and he also got swayed in his decision
making by some of the calls from the sidelines. It didn't do St Kevin's any
good in the long run as they were getting frustrated by their inability to
break down a very resilient Glen Waverley side. A couple of yellows were
dished out but one particularly unsavoury challenge on Dean in the middle of
the park saw one of the home players given his marching orders. Straight
red, easy decision.
       The attacking intent of the Glen Waverley boys never let up and
eventually they extended their lead and deservedly so. One of the more vocal
home side defenders who had been trying to ref the game as well, turned a
cross/shot from Alex into his own net. We enjoyed that one. Nice to get some
assistance from the opposition.
       The introduction of Christian Martin into the attack meant there was
no let up for the tiring home side defence. Christian was denied his seniors
debut goal by a poor offside call from the linesman. His time will come but
he showed today that he can finish, he just needs some charitable and fair
minded linesmen. Tony G celebrated his 100th game with a good 30 minutes
solid performance in the middle. Nick M was also introduced late in the
game, and we offer belated congratulations to him since he debuted in the
seniors last week.
       Stars on the day had to be Anthony, Alex M and Micky V. The boys up
front were creating plenty, and Micky V was commanding at the heart of the
defence. Special mention to Al in goal, playing through the pain barrier,
with his arm still tender from a kick the previous week.
       Another win on the road boys and with plenty of players unavailable.
Gritty, solid all round team performance and another three points safely
tucked away. The boys climbed up into second spot and can now rest up and
prepare for the next challenge. Roll on next Saturday where the boys will be
back at Larpent to take on the free-scoring Dandenong Warriors.
See you all then.
Toodle pip.