| Glen Waverley Soccer Club - Mens Seniors & Reserves |
Saturday began as usual on Thursday evening. Planning, who's available,
who's away, what do we need etc etc.
And as usual everything ran like clockwork until we were met by Kaz. The
FFV's answer to Graham Poll. More about him later.
As I said, each weekend, especially home matches, do involve a little bit of
preparation. Team books get written up on a Friday after everyone has made
their decision as to whether they can play or not. Shirts and shorts are
sorted into the team bags, along with match balls, first aid kit and of
course the now infamous magic jelly beans. We say magic because they
magically appeared one day. Pitch marking normally gets done on a Friday
arvo as well. Saturday morning also involves a fair bit of running around -
fetching the barbeque stuff, meat, rolls, salads etc. Canteen is prepared
and made ready for hungry and thirsty souls. By the way without the
financial contribution from the canteen and barbeque we wouldn't be able to
pay for "Ivan the Terrible" or whoever turns up on a Saturday masquerading
as a ref. Putting up and taking down nets, cleaning rooms, tidying up and
all that stuff also seems to happen with military precision.
So since you vain lot are all waiting to see your name in the match report,
hoping for me to recollect some imagined heroic episode in the game, tough.
Not this week. You see there are other heroic souls who run around behind
you making sure that everything's ready and right for you to enjoy
yourselves, or take petulant strops whatever the case maybe.
Please take a bow -
John F for giving us advance warning of the ref, getting the barbeque stuff
and tidying up the mess in the rooms afterwards.
Susan F for her tireless effort in the canteen, washing the kit week in week
out and tidying up the mess in the rooms afterwards.
Sandra for her help in the canteen and cleaning up the mess in the rooms
afterwards. A top effort from Sandra considering her family traumas.
Justin for his help with the barbeque too and Yena for taking the time to
prepare some chocolate chip cookies to help boost our coffers.
To the Ressies players who helped put up the nets AND take them down again.
Not a bad reward for you guys after keeping the unbeaten run intact.
And finally to Dean for re-writing the reserves team book after dickhead of
the week wouldn't let us play because the subs weren't written in the
correct place in the book. Senseless, but thanks Dean.
Next week lads, when you pull on the Glen Waverley shirt, stop and think for
a minute. Say to yourself, "let's do it for the club and for the people who
are there week in week out supporting us". Too often the displays of
petulance and lack of heart on the pitch do not reflect what we're about.
Get a grip lads, look around you and realise that you play for one of the
best clubs around. Not the most successful, but one of the best run and what
should be one of the most enjoyable to play for.
Now for the action on the pitch. We'll keep it brief this week as some of
you with attention deficiency disorders cannot get all the way to the end.
Round 8 v East Bentleigh
Venue ... Auswide Dome
Weather ... A smattering of cloud interspersed with delicate rays of
sunshine, lending itself to an altogether very pleasant afternoon.
Reserves
Result ... 1-1
(Halftime score ... 0-0)
Scorers ... Theo
This was being billed as a defining game in the reserves season. So far
unbeaten after 7 rounds this was a top-of-the-table clash and had all
makings of a thriller. The lads didn't disappoint. Led by Bill G in the
absence of Dan, the reserves were full of menace right from the word go.
They continue to benefit from having a settled side and this shows in the
football. Anouk and Lloyd were in the side this week, coming back from
illness and injury. Both looked assured and the left hand side looked as
solid as it has all season. Murray had probably his best game of the season
so far and enjoyed a good battle against his opposite number on the right.
The game was closely fought from beginning to end and chances were few and
far between. However the best chances fell to the home side as a well
flighted free-kick was sent narrowly wide. Three players ran in but all
failed to connect. A goalless first half, but the entertainment value was
high as the referee played a game of "Guess the decision". Both sets of
players were left bewildered as a stream of innocuous free kicks threatened
to spoil the flow of the game. To their credit the players accepted the
referee was an imbecile and laughed off many of the perplexing decisions.
With Glen Waverley continuing to press a goal had to come. Another free
kick, this time for a genuine reason, just outside the box, gave Theo
another opportunity to display his burgeoning reputation as a dead ball
specialist. Floated into the 6 yard box, the ball evaded Prashan's head and
the goalkeeper and dropped into the far corner. The breakthrough was short
lived however as East Bentleigh got lucky. The Larpent lads had defended
well all game and another clearance was sent on its way. The opposition
midfielder sent a speculative shot back into the box past a bewildered
Steve.
So 1-1 it was, and after a nervy but pulsating final 20 minutes or so, thats
how it ended up. There were enough chances to have sealed the win - Yureshan
and Matt both went close, but that's how it is sometimes. Special mention
this week has to go to Josh - a yellow card for saying "What?". Glad he
didn't say "What the f@*k". Next time say "Excuse me please. Can you please
explain the decision, because I'm slightly unsure of what it was I did." Or
maybe not.
Still the unbeaten run continues, but we're still trying to work out how we
went from equal top to 5th on the ladder. We would have taken that at the
beginning of the season if it was offered, but the lads are enjoying it. A
solid team effort and great to watch.
Seniors
Result ... 0-3
(Halftime score ... 0-2)
Scorer ... we didn't have any this week.
Near miss .... Greg
As you can see from the score, things didn't go quite according to plan for
the Steve and his merry men. They had been looking forward to game and
seemed up for it as kick-off approached. Ivan the Terrible was still here so
it looked like the seniors would also benefit from the entertaining "Guess
the decision" game. We apologise for mentioning this guy, but he did take
centre stage on more than one occasion. I thought I'd been around a bit and
seen my fair share of things on and off the pitch. However there were 2
yellow cards in this game that are a first for me and probably for many
others too.
The first was for not putting the ball behind the 6 yard line for a goal
kick. Micky V was the recipient. Come on Micky, if you're going to get a
yellow at least make it for something worthwhile like whacking someone. It's
taken him 7 games to get his first yellow and it was for that. Another
yellow was dished out to a player who committed the heinous crime of
stepping off the pitch for a drink. At least that's what we think it was
for, because he didn't do anything else, that we could see.
Anyway, we saw more cards today than one of Petey's poker nights. In between
the yellows there was some football played and to be honest most of it was
played by Glen Waverley. Against the run of play, the lads went one nil down
in the first minute. Lack of communication between keeper and defender gave
the visitors an easy opportunity to take the lead. If there is ever a good
time to concede it's in the first minute, because it gives you the whole
game to get it back. However much as the Waverley Warriors toiled it was to
no avail. Kon was again at the centre of most of all the positive stuff and
Micky V, in between getting non-sensical yellows, was putting in a sterling
effort in defence.
The visitors didn't quite follow the script. Not an outstanding team, they
did manage a second before half time and went to the break with the 2 goal
cushion. Even this didn't look to be enough as we said earlier the lads were
playing some reasonable football and surely class would tell in the end. But
a third goal to East Bentleigh killed off any hope the home side had of
getting anything out of the game. Still pushing on til the end, the lads
couldn't even manage the consolation goal they deserved. Chances went
begging from all angles and it was a disconsolate bunch who trooped off at
the end of the game.
Special mentions this week go to Sam on his debut for the seniors, coming on
as a late replacement and Justin regaining his captains armband from the
temporary custodian Julian.
Another game where the football deserved a better reward. So maybe the lads
need to play crap and scrap a 1-0 win next week. Would we take that? Yes,
let's get 3 points and get the season back on track. Still early days yet
and everything to play for. Not least the pride in wearing the green shirt
and the badge that says Glen Waverley.
Ta ta and see you all at Keysborough.
who's away, what do we need etc etc.
And as usual everything ran like clockwork until we were met by Kaz. The
FFV's answer to Graham Poll. More about him later.
As I said, each weekend, especially home matches, do involve a little bit of
preparation. Team books get written up on a Friday after everyone has made
their decision as to whether they can play or not. Shirts and shorts are
sorted into the team bags, along with match balls, first aid kit and of
course the now infamous magic jelly beans. We say magic because they
magically appeared one day. Pitch marking normally gets done on a Friday
arvo as well. Saturday morning also involves a fair bit of running around -
fetching the barbeque stuff, meat, rolls, salads etc. Canteen is prepared
and made ready for hungry and thirsty souls. By the way without the
financial contribution from the canteen and barbeque we wouldn't be able to
pay for "Ivan the Terrible" or whoever turns up on a Saturday masquerading
as a ref. Putting up and taking down nets, cleaning rooms, tidying up and
all that stuff also seems to happen with military precision.
So since you vain lot are all waiting to see your name in the match report,
hoping for me to recollect some imagined heroic episode in the game, tough.
Not this week. You see there are other heroic souls who run around behind
you making sure that everything's ready and right for you to enjoy
yourselves, or take petulant strops whatever the case maybe.
Please take a bow -
John F for giving us advance warning of the ref, getting the barbeque stuff
and tidying up the mess in the rooms afterwards.
Susan F for her tireless effort in the canteen, washing the kit week in week
out and tidying up the mess in the rooms afterwards.
Sandra for her help in the canteen and cleaning up the mess in the rooms
afterwards. A top effort from Sandra considering her family traumas.
Justin for his help with the barbeque too and Yena for taking the time to
prepare some chocolate chip cookies to help boost our coffers.
To the Ressies players who helped put up the nets AND take them down again.
Not a bad reward for you guys after keeping the unbeaten run intact.
And finally to Dean for re-writing the reserves team book after dickhead of
the week wouldn't let us play because the subs weren't written in the
correct place in the book. Senseless, but thanks Dean.
Next week lads, when you pull on the Glen Waverley shirt, stop and think for
a minute. Say to yourself, "let's do it for the club and for the people who
are there week in week out supporting us". Too often the displays of
petulance and lack of heart on the pitch do not reflect what we're about.
Get a grip lads, look around you and realise that you play for one of the
best clubs around. Not the most successful, but one of the best run and what
should be one of the most enjoyable to play for.
Now for the action on the pitch. We'll keep it brief this week as some of
you with attention deficiency disorders cannot get all the way to the end.
Round 8 v East Bentleigh
Venue ... Auswide Dome
Weather ... A smattering of cloud interspersed with delicate rays of
sunshine, lending itself to an altogether very pleasant afternoon.
Reserves
Result ... 1-1
(Halftime score ... 0-0)
Scorers ... Theo
This was being billed as a defining game in the reserves season. So far
unbeaten after 7 rounds this was a top-of-the-table clash and had all
makings of a thriller. The lads didn't disappoint. Led by Bill G in the
absence of Dan, the reserves were full of menace right from the word go.
They continue to benefit from having a settled side and this shows in the
football. Anouk and Lloyd were in the side this week, coming back from
illness and injury. Both looked assured and the left hand side looked as
solid as it has all season. Murray had probably his best game of the season
so far and enjoyed a good battle against his opposite number on the right.
The game was closely fought from beginning to end and chances were few and
far between. However the best chances fell to the home side as a well
flighted free-kick was sent narrowly wide. Three players ran in but all
failed to connect. A goalless first half, but the entertainment value was
high as the referee played a game of "Guess the decision". Both sets of
players were left bewildered as a stream of innocuous free kicks threatened
to spoil the flow of the game. To their credit the players accepted the
referee was an imbecile and laughed off many of the perplexing decisions.
With Glen Waverley continuing to press a goal had to come. Another free
kick, this time for a genuine reason, just outside the box, gave Theo
another opportunity to display his burgeoning reputation as a dead ball
specialist. Floated into the 6 yard box, the ball evaded Prashan's head and
the goalkeeper and dropped into the far corner. The breakthrough was short
lived however as East Bentleigh got lucky. The Larpent lads had defended
well all game and another clearance was sent on its way. The opposition
midfielder sent a speculative shot back into the box past a bewildered
Steve.
So 1-1 it was, and after a nervy but pulsating final 20 minutes or so, thats
how it ended up. There were enough chances to have sealed the win - Yureshan
and Matt both went close, but that's how it is sometimes. Special mention
this week has to go to Josh - a yellow card for saying "What?". Glad he
didn't say "What the f@*k". Next time say "Excuse me please. Can you please
explain the decision, because I'm slightly unsure of what it was I did." Or
maybe not.
Still the unbeaten run continues, but we're still trying to work out how we
went from equal top to 5th on the ladder. We would have taken that at the
beginning of the season if it was offered, but the lads are enjoying it. A
solid team effort and great to watch.
Seniors
Result ... 0-3
(Halftime score ... 0-2)
Scorer ... we didn't have any this week.
Near miss .... Greg
As you can see from the score, things didn't go quite according to plan for
the Steve and his merry men. They had been looking forward to game and
seemed up for it as kick-off approached. Ivan the Terrible was still here so
it looked like the seniors would also benefit from the entertaining "Guess
the decision" game. We apologise for mentioning this guy, but he did take
centre stage on more than one occasion. I thought I'd been around a bit and
seen my fair share of things on and off the pitch. However there were 2
yellow cards in this game that are a first for me and probably for many
others too.
The first was for not putting the ball behind the 6 yard line for a goal
kick. Micky V was the recipient. Come on Micky, if you're going to get a
yellow at least make it for something worthwhile like whacking someone. It's
taken him 7 games to get his first yellow and it was for that. Another
yellow was dished out to a player who committed the heinous crime of
stepping off the pitch for a drink. At least that's what we think it was
for, because he didn't do anything else, that we could see.
Anyway, we saw more cards today than one of Petey's poker nights. In between
the yellows there was some football played and to be honest most of it was
played by Glen Waverley. Against the run of play, the lads went one nil down
in the first minute. Lack of communication between keeper and defender gave
the visitors an easy opportunity to take the lead. If there is ever a good
time to concede it's in the first minute, because it gives you the whole
game to get it back. However much as the Waverley Warriors toiled it was to
no avail. Kon was again at the centre of most of all the positive stuff and
Micky V, in between getting non-sensical yellows, was putting in a sterling
effort in defence.
The visitors didn't quite follow the script. Not an outstanding team, they
did manage a second before half time and went to the break with the 2 goal
cushion. Even this didn't look to be enough as we said earlier the lads were
playing some reasonable football and surely class would tell in the end. But
a third goal to East Bentleigh killed off any hope the home side had of
getting anything out of the game. Still pushing on til the end, the lads
couldn't even manage the consolation goal they deserved. Chances went
begging from all angles and it was a disconsolate bunch who trooped off at
the end of the game.
Special mentions this week go to Sam on his debut for the seniors, coming on
as a late replacement and Justin regaining his captains armband from the
temporary custodian Julian.
Another game where the football deserved a better reward. So maybe the lads
need to play crap and scrap a 1-0 win next week. Would we take that? Yes,
let's get 3 points and get the season back on track. Still early days yet
and everything to play for. Not least the pride in wearing the green shirt
and the badge that says Glen Waverley.
Ta ta and see you all at Keysborough.
