Time for a bit of “wenting”, and this week we went to MeadowPark. For those of you who are geographically challenged, to get to MeadowPark you have to turn right at the last set of traffic lights before Ballarat. With the gentle sounds of 747’s on their final approach to Tullamarine, the engine whines were matched in equal volume by the local players whining on the pitch. We’d never heard so much whinging since the HighvalePrimary School grade 1’s were told their trip to the zoo was called off. Look out for the low flying dummies as we find out how our intrepid travellers fared this week ....
Reserves
MeadowPark (1) 1 v 0 (0) Glen Waverley
Was there a referee or not? That was the question. Anyway, a guy in black turned up and after 10 minutes we realised the referee hadn’t shown up. The guy with the whistle stayed on the pitch though and decided on arbitrary usage throughout the match. As in the previous rounds the Reserves were showing good signs, but this week they went down to an early goal. It was on the contentious side of being offside, but was allowed to stand. Apart from one other chance hitting the post, these were the only meaningful chances to the home side. The lads from the Glen pushed on and for the most part outplayed the Parka’s. The home team were not expecting such a tough match and as the game wore on, chance after chance fell to the visitors. Much whinging and bitching ensued as MeadowPark tried everything they knew to hold on to their precious lead. However the Reserves Achilles heel still proves to be the lack of finishing power. Sterling efforts from Matey, Robbie, Bill and Alex were ultimately all in vain and even the introduction of super-sub “Haydos” couldn’t turn the match around. MeadowPark sang their victory song more in relief than celebration as they realised that the Glen Waverley lads were not the easy beats they thought they would be. Roll on the rematch.
Sir Alex was unavailable for comment after the match as he had to leave early for a baptism. So it was left to skipper Al to comment on what went on before. “That was stiff. We should have won today. Do they have a bar here?” And that was that.
Seniors
MeadowPark (3) 6 v 1 (0) Glen Waverley
This week the Waverley Warriors went into the match with a lot of confidence, however that soon dissipated by conceding an early penalty. Further mistakes from a soft centred defence gave the home side enough of a first half advantage to consider the game gone. Steve’s defense went through more changes than a Milan fashion model, with two regulars missing and the introduction of Nanos after three weeks out. The stability from the previous weeks had gone. But try as they might, the team never really got going. Micky V lead from the back and Tze Kin on the left gave everything they could. The second half started with a little more urgency, but in the attempt to try and pull one back, there were holes aplenty in the back. The MeadowPark side took advantage and scored another couple, before finally the lads got some minor reward. A stupid swinging right from the home side keeper connected with a surprised Micky V. The referee (sorry, the bloke in black with the whistle) had no option, but to show the red card, and the rotund gentleman had to take the long, lonely walk back to the showers. He was given plenty of verbal advise on the way, not least on his diet. Our lads were given the penalty, and up stepped Theos to grab his 5th goal of the season.
Last laugh was with the home side as they hit their sixth and final goal, wrapping up a fairly comprehensive win. Nothing much went right for our lads this week, and was just one of those days when you know you may as well have stayed in bed. Unusually Steve was stuck for words this week but did manage an “I’m bloody sore.” Following it up with a groan, he felt that “It wasn’t going to be our day today. With players out at the last minute, it makes it tough. But we’ll be back next week and stronger for the experience.”
The learning curve continues to rise sharply and must be beneficial to all concerned. Everyone learns by mistakes, even the experienced players, and sometimes recognising this makes us stronger. The younger players have the most to gain as they benefit from playing alongside their experienced teammates and it’s to these players they look to for guidance, leadership and example. The challenge is to maintain the balance between producing good quality players and being competitive on a weekly basis, all within the good social framework of the club.