| Glen Waverley Soccer Club - Mens Seniors & Reserves |
Click here to check out the other important game of the weekend...
Are we sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin. This week our travelling band
of players, supporters and groupies headed off in the general direction of
away. Driving away for approximately 41.4minutes and 21.7kms, we found
ourselves at Shipston Reserve. Which, as luck would have it, happened to be
the home ground for our match day hosts Panathanaikos, or Bayside Argonauts
as they are known locally. The ground was a bit sparse, but the hosts were
genial enough and served up the most delicious souvlaki/lamb on a roll
tasted all season. Kudos lads. Anyway, with taste buds well and truly
catered for, what happened on the field of play? Read on to find out on what
proved to be a roller coaster of a day.
Round 16 v Bayside Argonauts
Venue:- Shipston Reserve, somewhere near the seaside
Weather:- Still bloody windy, cold, but thankfully no rain
Reserves
Result ... 1-1
(Halftime score ... 1-0)
Scorer ... Yureshan
It wouldn't be the same, if the reserves turned up with the same team 2
weeks running, and they didn't disappoint this week either. In the side this
week, we welcomed Greg and Prashan. Bill had recovered from his dicky ankle
and was restored to the starting line-up. Dan also took on the keeping
duties in the absence of Alistair, who was tied up with school soccer all
day. All the changes never seem to faze our reserves squad and the lads
rolled up their sleeves and got down to business.
No referee again this week, so Louie took on the official duties. He did his
best and let the home side off the hook as really it's their responsibility
when the official bloke doesn't show. Anyway on with the game and it was the
Waverley boys who hit the ground running. Taking only a few minutes to
settle, an early chance fell to Greg. Unleashing a fearsome half-volley, he
was unlucky to see it cannon off the cross-bar. The home side keeper, all
four feet two of him, was well beaten. Looking comfortable on the ball in
the middle of the park, Lloyd, Greg, Dean, Prashan and the lads continued to
press and Yureshan finally got the reward the visitors deserved. A ball
played out left was taken by Yuri who belted a left foot volley into the top
corner.
A second should have followed not long after. The home keeper missed his
clearance and Yuri was left with a clear run on goal. Preferring to take the
shot early, he skewed the ball wide. Dean also had a chance to double the
lead and Greg too saw another shot go narrowly wide. Bill playing up front
for the first time this season, gave the lads an outlet as he used his new
found pace and skill to good effect. Taking on defenders at every chance, he
too was unlucky with one effort and played his part in a number of other
chances.
It was at the back line though that looked resilient. Theo, Sean, Sean and
Anouk were all solid and were marshalled well by the ever vocal Dan. All the
home side chances were dealt with comfortably, and the lads never really
looked like conceding. Dan's ball handling was excellent and he also had one
fine save low down to his right, which he can rightly be proud of. Maybe
Alistair will have his work cut-out to get back in the side.
The second half proved a little more challenging. Guillermo was brought on
for Greg, as Greg's hair had become a little scruffy and needed some urgent
treatment. The Argonauts came out with all guns blazing and put pressure
back on the Waverley boys. Most of the second half was played in the
Waverley half. The lads held out for the most part but found it hard against
the wind. The biggest problem was trying to win balls in the air against
bigger and stronger opponents. Eventually the pressure told and a long range
effort was seen late by Dan, and it slipped under his outstretched arm. More
chances fell to the home side and Dan pulled off the save of the game,
pushing a free-kick round the post.
One final chance came the visitors way late in the game, as Dean almost
caught them on the break. His shot on the run went wide of the mark. This
proved to be the last action of the game as it ended in a stalemate. Pretty
much the right result as both teams put in enough. Top efforts from Dan in
goal, Sean Weragoda in defence and Yureshan up front. All the other lads can
be proud of their efforts against a strong and experienced Bayside outfit. A
final push in the last six games could still see the reserves finish in the
top three or four, so keep it going lads. By the way, we're only one point
short of last season's tally of 27 points. Another feather in the cap.
Seniors
Result ... 2-6
(Halftime ... 2-1)
Scorers ... Micky V, Metin,
Well ,well, well. As we hinted earlier in the piece, a bit of a roller
coaster today, and so this game proved. The score line doesn't really give a
true reflection of the game although the lesson learnt would certainly be
one of finishing. They finished off their chances, we didn't, end of story.
But back to the beginning. The seniors were enjoying a short unbeaten run
and went into the match upbeat and with some confidence. Metin and Micky V
were both restored to the starting line up and all of a sudden the team
looked on paper at least that they would be difficult to beat.
Like the reserves in the first game, the seniors took the game to the home
side. In fact Bayside looked a far cry from the team that gave us a lesson
two seasons ago in our first season. Within minutes of the kick-off, Micky V
managed to volley over from 8 yards out. Metin and Steven Harvey ran the
home side defence ragged in the first 20 minutes and from a corner, Micky
again managed to waste another chance. His header again failed to hit the
target. However with all the chances, surely one would fall our way and sure
enough it was Micky V who finally got on the mark. Mind this should have
been his hat trick goal, and he'll have some sleepless nights over the other
two.
Most of the first half was played in the Bayside half and Metin grabbed the
second goal with a header from close range. Taking advantage of some
confusion in the home side defence from a corner, Metin rose unchallenged
to rattle in number two. It looked as though there was only one team in the
contest as Glen Waverley played some of their best football of the season,
if not the best. All looked good, but time would tell whether the missed
chances would cost us. The Argonauts dragged themselves back into the game
with a well taken flicked header from just inside the box. Probably the only
chance they had in the half, but enough to see them still in the game. One
thing they will have to work on though is their kick-offs. From both of
their kick-offs in the first half, the two lads tasked with the job both
managed to give Met enough time to gallop 10 yards and nick the ball, before
they knew what was happening.
Another person who needs to brush up on technique is the referee. He needs
to practise his "card-brandishing", as he gave Savva a scare, us a shock,
then the home side the shits as he showed Savva a red card instead of a
yellow. Changing his mind quickly after realising his mistake, he
apologised, then said everyone makes mistakes.
The lads found that out in the second half. The biggest mistake they made
was actually going out for the second half as Bayside calmly helped
themselves to 5 goals without reply. What went wrong? Who knows. All we know
is they were gifted 3 goals from poorly defended corners, 1 from an
untracked runner from midfield and 1 from a gifted ill-judged pass in the
backline. The defence will cop flak for the second half, but credit to
Bayside for taking their chances when they came. All we can do is learn the
lesson and hope it's not repeated.
We can report this week that Savva did definitely come off. His hammy
finally gave way as he tried his infamous Ronaldo step over and turn. He
managed to catch his studs in the turf, twist then fell awkwardly. He was
given a fond farewell by the watching home side fans, but at least he was
out there doing his best. As for the others, Met and Sammy gave it their all
as did Steven Harvey and Matey. So result apart, there was still plenty of
positives in the performance. Put the game into the memory banks lads, and
look forward to next week where you can take it out on Noble Park.
Are we sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin. This week our travelling band
of players, supporters and groupies headed off in the general direction of
away. Driving away for approximately 41.4minutes and 21.7kms, we found
ourselves at Shipston Reserve. Which, as luck would have it, happened to be
the home ground for our match day hosts Panathanaikos, or Bayside Argonauts
as they are known locally. The ground was a bit sparse, but the hosts were
genial enough and served up the most delicious souvlaki/lamb on a roll
tasted all season. Kudos lads. Anyway, with taste buds well and truly
catered for, what happened on the field of play? Read on to find out on what
proved to be a roller coaster of a day.
Round 16 v Bayside Argonauts
Venue:- Shipston Reserve, somewhere near the seaside
Weather:- Still bloody windy, cold, but thankfully no rain
Reserves
Result ... 1-1
(Halftime score ... 1-0)
Scorer ... Yureshan
It wouldn't be the same, if the reserves turned up with the same team 2
weeks running, and they didn't disappoint this week either. In the side this
week, we welcomed Greg and Prashan. Bill had recovered from his dicky ankle
and was restored to the starting line-up. Dan also took on the keeping
duties in the absence of Alistair, who was tied up with school soccer all
day. All the changes never seem to faze our reserves squad and the lads
rolled up their sleeves and got down to business.
No referee again this week, so Louie took on the official duties. He did his
best and let the home side off the hook as really it's their responsibility
when the official bloke doesn't show. Anyway on with the game and it was the
Waverley boys who hit the ground running. Taking only a few minutes to
settle, an early chance fell to Greg. Unleashing a fearsome half-volley, he
was unlucky to see it cannon off the cross-bar. The home side keeper, all
four feet two of him, was well beaten. Looking comfortable on the ball in
the middle of the park, Lloyd, Greg, Dean, Prashan and the lads continued to
press and Yureshan finally got the reward the visitors deserved. A ball
played out left was taken by Yuri who belted a left foot volley into the top
corner.
A second should have followed not long after. The home keeper missed his
clearance and Yuri was left with a clear run on goal. Preferring to take the
shot early, he skewed the ball wide. Dean also had a chance to double the
lead and Greg too saw another shot go narrowly wide. Bill playing up front
for the first time this season, gave the lads an outlet as he used his new
found pace and skill to good effect. Taking on defenders at every chance, he
too was unlucky with one effort and played his part in a number of other
chances.
It was at the back line though that looked resilient. Theo, Sean, Sean and
Anouk were all solid and were marshalled well by the ever vocal Dan. All the
home side chances were dealt with comfortably, and the lads never really
looked like conceding. Dan's ball handling was excellent and he also had one
fine save low down to his right, which he can rightly be proud of. Maybe
Alistair will have his work cut-out to get back in the side.
The second half proved a little more challenging. Guillermo was brought on
for Greg, as Greg's hair had become a little scruffy and needed some urgent
treatment. The Argonauts came out with all guns blazing and put pressure
back on the Waverley boys. Most of the second half was played in the
Waverley half. The lads held out for the most part but found it hard against
the wind. The biggest problem was trying to win balls in the air against
bigger and stronger opponents. Eventually the pressure told and a long range
effort was seen late by Dan, and it slipped under his outstretched arm. More
chances fell to the home side and Dan pulled off the save of the game,
pushing a free-kick round the post.
One final chance came the visitors way late in the game, as Dean almost
caught them on the break. His shot on the run went wide of the mark. This
proved to be the last action of the game as it ended in a stalemate. Pretty
much the right result as both teams put in enough. Top efforts from Dan in
goal, Sean Weragoda in defence and Yureshan up front. All the other lads can
be proud of their efforts against a strong and experienced Bayside outfit. A
final push in the last six games could still see the reserves finish in the
top three or four, so keep it going lads. By the way, we're only one point
short of last season's tally of 27 points. Another feather in the cap.
Seniors
Result ... 2-6
(Halftime ... 2-1)
Scorers ... Micky V, Metin,
Well ,well, well. As we hinted earlier in the piece, a bit of a roller
coaster today, and so this game proved. The score line doesn't really give a
true reflection of the game although the lesson learnt would certainly be
one of finishing. They finished off their chances, we didn't, end of story.
But back to the beginning. The seniors were enjoying a short unbeaten run
and went into the match upbeat and with some confidence. Metin and Micky V
were both restored to the starting line up and all of a sudden the team
looked on paper at least that they would be difficult to beat.
Like the reserves in the first game, the seniors took the game to the home
side. In fact Bayside looked a far cry from the team that gave us a lesson
two seasons ago in our first season. Within minutes of the kick-off, Micky V
managed to volley over from 8 yards out. Metin and Steven Harvey ran the
home side defence ragged in the first 20 minutes and from a corner, Micky
again managed to waste another chance. His header again failed to hit the
target. However with all the chances, surely one would fall our way and sure
enough it was Micky V who finally got on the mark. Mind this should have
been his hat trick goal, and he'll have some sleepless nights over the other
two.
Most of the first half was played in the Bayside half and Metin grabbed the
second goal with a header from close range. Taking advantage of some
confusion in the home side defence from a corner, Metin rose unchallenged
to rattle in number two. It looked as though there was only one team in the
contest as Glen Waverley played some of their best football of the season,
if not the best. All looked good, but time would tell whether the missed
chances would cost us. The Argonauts dragged themselves back into the game
with a well taken flicked header from just inside the box. Probably the only
chance they had in the half, but enough to see them still in the game. One
thing they will have to work on though is their kick-offs. From both of
their kick-offs in the first half, the two lads tasked with the job both
managed to give Met enough time to gallop 10 yards and nick the ball, before
they knew what was happening.
Another person who needs to brush up on technique is the referee. He needs
to practise his "card-brandishing", as he gave Savva a scare, us a shock,
then the home side the shits as he showed Savva a red card instead of a
yellow. Changing his mind quickly after realising his mistake, he
apologised, then said everyone makes mistakes.
The lads found that out in the second half. The biggest mistake they made
was actually going out for the second half as Bayside calmly helped
themselves to 5 goals without reply. What went wrong? Who knows. All we know
is they were gifted 3 goals from poorly defended corners, 1 from an
untracked runner from midfield and 1 from a gifted ill-judged pass in the
backline. The defence will cop flak for the second half, but credit to
Bayside for taking their chances when they came. All we can do is learn the
lesson and hope it's not repeated.
We can report this week that Savva did definitely come off. His hammy
finally gave way as he tried his infamous Ronaldo step over and turn. He
managed to catch his studs in the turf, twist then fell awkwardly. He was
given a fond farewell by the watching home side fans, but at least he was
out there doing his best. As for the others, Met and Sammy gave it their all
as did Steven Harvey and Matey. So result apart, there was still plenty of
positives in the performance. Put the game into the memory banks lads, and
look forward to next week where you can take it out on Noble Park.
