Good afternoon/evening/day/night (delete where applicable and depending
where in the world you are reading this).
We're back by popular demand, or more accurately, because no one else could
be bothered. This week we were back at Larpent again, after what seemed like
an endless journey on the road. One home fixture in the last four weeks and
the lads were looking forward to a match day without adding to Shell's
burgeoning profits. So would round 13 be unlucky for some? Read on to find
out.
Round 13 v Seaford United
Venue ... Larpent wave pool
Weather ... Precipitation in sight.
Reserves
Result ... 0-1
(Halftime score ... 0-1)
Scorers ... not this week sorry, not from us anyway.
The reserves were fresh from their successful trip to Brighton and were
looking to capitalise on their recent run of good form. So they went into
this top of the table clash with Seaford with plenty of confidence. The team
was hampered a little with a number of changes. Good performances from Steve
Harvey and Peter Kelly last week were rewarded with spots in the seniors.
Alistair, Matt and Sean Weragoda were also missing due to holidays, sickness
and washing their hair. Undaunted though the reserves have still been able
to turn on a show no matter who takes the park. This week though the changes
and the inclement weather conspired against the lads and they went down by
the odd goal to a very experienced Seaford side.
The game itself was a tense tight affair with chances few and far between.
Both sides restricted to long range efforts, troubling neither keeper. The
Seaford goal came midway through the first half. After losing the ball from
our throw in the ball was moved quickly down the left. The Emile Heskey
look-a-like saw a half chance which he managed to squeeze past an advancing
Dan. Unlucky on the keeper who played his part in keeping the score at 0-1.
Once the "ressies" found their feet in the slippery conditions, they did
move the ball around well. Murray, Dean, Lloyd and Sam combined well and
came close a couple of times. Lloydie especially tormenting the visitors
defence more than once. He managed to confuse everyone, including himself,
by taking most of shots on goal with his right foot, which happens to be his
wrong foot, if you know what I mean.
Playing his part in ensuring the defence was rock solid was Bill G, who also
managed to keep their number 10 quiet for the rest of the game. Guillermo
also back with team after a few months saving his pocket money, showed he'd
lost nothing during his break away from the game, slotting in comfortably at
left back. The weather did its best to spoil the game, but to the credit of
the players and the referee, it has to be said, the match was good
entertainment for the watching crowd.
The lads were unlucky on this occasion. They'll play a lot worse and come
away with a result. The blot on our ledger this week were the 2 silly yellow
cards - Sam's for falling in the mud and Josh for pretending to be a
professional and being petulant. Don't forget the discipline boys.
Final comment on the day is left to our roving reporter at the ground who
over-heard this conversation.
After watching Dan casually leave a long-range effort hit the bar then
bounce back into play, the watching U18 keeper - Avish - said to Dan. "That
wasn't very good. I would have gone for it and tipped it over the bar."
Dan replied " .. oh yeah? That would have given away a needless corner."
Avish went looking for someone else to talk to.
In the meantime, the Seniors were about to kick-off and this is what
happened .... they lost as well. It went something like this......
Seniors
Result ... 0-2
(Halftime score ... 0-1)
Scorers ... unluckily none
The weather didn't give our senior lads any respite either as they tried to
get their season kick started again. It was clear the laundry ladies would
be the busiest people at the end of the day.
There weren't too many changes in personnel, but Peter was restored to the
starting XI after a long injury lay-off. Prashan was also given a key role
in midfield. Steve H was promoted from the reserves and he was joined on the
bench by a recovering Savva and young dynamo James from the U18's. Steve V
was looking to the youngsters to get some impetus in the team and hopefully
a much-needed win.
The young lads didn't disappoint as they all gave 110% on an otherwise
dismal day. From the start the home side were pretty much the better team
and pushed on with confidence. It was against the run of play that Seaford
took the lead. A mix up between Steve S and Tony G allowed the Seaford
forward a slight opening to squeeze in the opening goal. From then on
though, Kon, Pete, Matey and Alex drove the team on and a couple of chances
went begging. There was plenty of good football and some classy passing
moves even though the pitch didn't help.
The score remained at 1-0 up to the break. So playing down the slope and
with the wind at their backs, the seniors pressed on continuously, mounting
wave after wave of attacks. Kon was bossing the middle of the park and by
and large Ian, Julian and Nanos were untroubled at the back. A lot of the
good work was coming from the young players though. Matey on the right, Alex
on the left and Pete in the middle. Once Steven and James entered the fray,
the pace went up another gear. The only problem was we couldn't score. The
chances were minimal, but the visitors defenders were given a torrid time as
James especially used his speed to good effect.
Even under all the pressure, Seaford used all of their experience to
withstand the onslaught and defended manfully. Late in the game though they
were rewarded with a second goal as a poorly defended corner was punished.
That ended the scoring and signalled the end of another entertaining game,
considering the conditions.
The result didn't give a true reflection on the game as the Waverley boys
fought hard and deserved at least a point for all their effort. But it's the
goals that count and on the day, we just couldn't hit the back of the net.
Still plenty of encouragement and enough spirit in the side to make sure we
get the points needed to stay up.
Top effort lads, roll on next week when we give Melbourne Uni a footballing
lesson.
where in the world you are reading this).
We're back by popular demand, or more accurately, because no one else could
be bothered. This week we were back at Larpent again, after what seemed like
an endless journey on the road. One home fixture in the last four weeks and
the lads were looking forward to a match day without adding to Shell's
burgeoning profits. So would round 13 be unlucky for some? Read on to find
out.
Round 13 v Seaford United
Venue ... Larpent wave pool
Weather ... Precipitation in sight.
Reserves
Result ... 0-1
(Halftime score ... 0-1)
Scorers ... not this week sorry, not from us anyway.
The reserves were fresh from their successful trip to Brighton and were
looking to capitalise on their recent run of good form. So they went into
this top of the table clash with Seaford with plenty of confidence. The team
was hampered a little with a number of changes. Good performances from Steve
Harvey and Peter Kelly last week were rewarded with spots in the seniors.
Alistair, Matt and Sean Weragoda were also missing due to holidays, sickness
and washing their hair. Undaunted though the reserves have still been able
to turn on a show no matter who takes the park. This week though the changes
and the inclement weather conspired against the lads and they went down by
the odd goal to a very experienced Seaford side.
The game itself was a tense tight affair with chances few and far between.
Both sides restricted to long range efforts, troubling neither keeper. The
Seaford goal came midway through the first half. After losing the ball from
our throw in the ball was moved quickly down the left. The Emile Heskey
look-a-like saw a half chance which he managed to squeeze past an advancing
Dan. Unlucky on the keeper who played his part in keeping the score at 0-1.
Once the "ressies" found their feet in the slippery conditions, they did
move the ball around well. Murray, Dean, Lloyd and Sam combined well and
came close a couple of times. Lloydie especially tormenting the visitors
defence more than once. He managed to confuse everyone, including himself,
by taking most of shots on goal with his right foot, which happens to be his
wrong foot, if you know what I mean.
Playing his part in ensuring the defence was rock solid was Bill G, who also
managed to keep their number 10 quiet for the rest of the game. Guillermo
also back with team after a few months saving his pocket money, showed he'd
lost nothing during his break away from the game, slotting in comfortably at
left back. The weather did its best to spoil the game, but to the credit of
the players and the referee, it has to be said, the match was good
entertainment for the watching crowd.
The lads were unlucky on this occasion. They'll play a lot worse and come
away with a result. The blot on our ledger this week were the 2 silly yellow
cards - Sam's for falling in the mud and Josh for pretending to be a
professional and being petulant. Don't forget the discipline boys.
Final comment on the day is left to our roving reporter at the ground who
over-heard this conversation.
After watching Dan casually leave a long-range effort hit the bar then
bounce back into play, the watching U18 keeper - Avish - said to Dan. "That
wasn't very good. I would have gone for it and tipped it over the bar."
Dan replied " .. oh yeah? That would have given away a needless corner."
Avish went looking for someone else to talk to.
In the meantime, the Seniors were about to kick-off and this is what
happened .... they lost as well. It went something like this......
Seniors
Result ... 0-2
(Halftime score ... 0-1)
Scorers ... unluckily none
The weather didn't give our senior lads any respite either as they tried to
get their season kick started again. It was clear the laundry ladies would
be the busiest people at the end of the day.
There weren't too many changes in personnel, but Peter was restored to the
starting XI after a long injury lay-off. Prashan was also given a key role
in midfield. Steve H was promoted from the reserves and he was joined on the
bench by a recovering Savva and young dynamo James from the U18's. Steve V
was looking to the youngsters to get some impetus in the team and hopefully
a much-needed win.
The young lads didn't disappoint as they all gave 110% on an otherwise
dismal day. From the start the home side were pretty much the better team
and pushed on with confidence. It was against the run of play that Seaford
took the lead. A mix up between Steve S and Tony G allowed the Seaford
forward a slight opening to squeeze in the opening goal. From then on
though, Kon, Pete, Matey and Alex drove the team on and a couple of chances
went begging. There was plenty of good football and some classy passing
moves even though the pitch didn't help.
The score remained at 1-0 up to the break. So playing down the slope and
with the wind at their backs, the seniors pressed on continuously, mounting
wave after wave of attacks. Kon was bossing the middle of the park and by
and large Ian, Julian and Nanos were untroubled at the back. A lot of the
good work was coming from the young players though. Matey on the right, Alex
on the left and Pete in the middle. Once Steven and James entered the fray,
the pace went up another gear. The only problem was we couldn't score. The
chances were minimal, but the visitors defenders were given a torrid time as
James especially used his speed to good effect.
Even under all the pressure, Seaford used all of their experience to
withstand the onslaught and defended manfully. Late in the game though they
were rewarded with a second goal as a poorly defended corner was punished.
That ended the scoring and signalled the end of another entertaining game,
considering the conditions.
The result didn't give a true reflection on the game as the Waverley boys
fought hard and deserved at least a point for all their effort. But it's the
goals that count and on the day, we just couldn't hit the back of the net.
Still plenty of encouragement and enough spirit in the side to make sure we
get the points needed to stay up.
Top effort lads, roll on next week when we give Melbourne Uni a footballing
lesson.