Before you read our match report, have you checked out the August newsletter yet?
| August 2009 Newsletter |
G'day everyone, from the sports desk. How's the weekend been for you? If you
are an English cricket fan, things are surely looking rosy. If you follow
the Victory, you too will be happy little vegemites. For those amongst us
that get our primary fix from GWSC, you'll have to read on to find out if we
were on a high, or went cold turkey.
Round 20 v Keysborough
Venue ... Melway 62D12 aka Larpent Reserve
Weather ... noice, but bloody windy again.
Reserves
Result ... 0-3
Halftime ... 0-2
Looking to break the run of 4 games without a win, the reserves were at
almost full strength. Only Yureshan was missing through suspension, but he
was replaced in the squad by Alex Martin.
This week we even had the services of a referee, as Manny stepped in at the
last minute to make sure there was some semblance of order to the
proceedings.
As mentioned, the weather was friendly enough but the rain the previous week
had left the pitch in poor condition. Bumpy for the most part and still soft
and squidgy down the nearside touchline. Anyway, it would be the same for
both sides, but it was Keysborough who adapted to the pitch the better of
the two sides.
They controlled the game for pretty much most of the match although they
didn't create that many clear-cut chances. The first came from a turn-over
in midfield which left Bill G isolated and the centre-forward broke through.
One on one with Alistair he won the battle to put the visitors one up.
The reserves did play their part in the game, but the good stuff came in
patches. Matt got underneath a cross from the left and put his header over
from 6 yards out. Petey looked dangerous when galloping forward, almost
"guzzle" like. Alistair has had a good couple of weeks and score line apart,
managed to pull off a couple of fine point blank saves.
It's difficult to recall many more highlights, especially since the writer
had to fire up the barbeque. The burgers were cooked to perfection today
though, thanks to Alistair's Dad, Chris, who wields a mean tong. Hunger was
satisfied, off the pitch at least.
Playing downhill second half didn't make too much difference either as the
Waverley boys conceded a third and final goal midway through the half. Even
late pressure in the game couldn't get the score board ticking over in the
home sides favour. So the lads were a little lacklustre but are entitled to,
as it's been a long hard season. Hopefully they can get fired up for the
remaining 2 games and finish the season on a high.
The question now, is whether the seniors could grab a vital three points as
they attempt to scramble out of the relegation zone. Settle back as we
recall the events as they unfolded.
Seniors
Result ... 0-1
Halftime ...0-0
So here we go. The team photographs had been taken, hair had been brushed
and tweaked accordingly and Steve had the lads primed and ready for action.
This week he was without the services of Sammy (gone away) and Micky V (bad
lad). Anouk and Nanos were therefore drafted back into the starting XI. Greg
was looking to continue his good form and Justin was hoping to build on his
solid performance of the previous week. The backline had also been tight in
the last few games and were proving difficult to break down. This did have a
lot to do with the solid performances from the midfield, led as usual by
Kon.
As reported in the reserves write-up, the pitch was not looking too good and
both sides took a while to settle. The football wasn't pretty as the bumpy
pitch and blustery wind didn't help. Mistakes were plentiful, with too many
passes going astray, balls coming off shins and general untidiness.
In amongst the drab, there was one moment of class where Anouk sent over a
delightful cross for Met who had the freedom of the penalty box. Normally
assured, Met missed a clear header and the chance to take an early lead went
begging. This proved to be a rare opportunity and the visitors clawed their
way into the match.
From a corner kick Keysborough had ball in the net but it was disallowed for
a foul in the box. The lads breathed a sigh of relief, as there didn't seem
too much in it, but that was a life. A few moments later Steve made a smart
save from a snap shot. He couldn't have known too much about it as the ball
came through the packed penalty area.
Halftime came and went with the game scoreless. The visitors continued to
impress and were becoming more and more difficult to break down. They were
very disciplined and were one ofthe best teams we've played this season.
To emphasise their superiority, they had another goal disallowed. From a
free-kick just outside the area, they set up with 2 players standing in
front of the keeper. They raced forward just before the kick was taken, then
the shot was blasted into the top far corner. The ref blew his whistle and
goal the celebrations were cut short as he didn't let the goal stand. There
was conjecture as to why goal was disallowed. Offside? Interfering with
keeper? No, it was indirect, although no-one knew - luckily for us.
2 chances given but finally the Waverley lads luck ran out, although it took
a ripper of a goal to break the deadlock. The Keysborough player was allowed
time and space to run across the edge of box and fire home a fierce left
foot shot which left Steve no chance. We all agreed it was a goal fit to win
any game, but we did wonder why we couldn't create, or take, similar
chances.
So it ended 0-1 and all eyes looked to the results to see how other teams
around us went. Somehow it doesn't matter as all we have to do now is the
simple matter of winning the last 2 games of the season and claiming 10th
spot. Over to you Steve.
Now we're off to give the TV remote a work out as there's cricket, F1 and
Spurs v West Ham on at the same time. I think Spurs were 193 for 2 in a
McLaren.
are an English cricket fan, things are surely looking rosy. If you follow
the Victory, you too will be happy little vegemites. For those amongst us
that get our primary fix from GWSC, you'll have to read on to find out if we
were on a high, or went cold turkey.
Round 20 v Keysborough
Venue ... Melway 62D12 aka Larpent Reserve
Weather ... noice, but bloody windy again.
Reserves
Result ... 0-3
Halftime ... 0-2
Looking to break the run of 4 games without a win, the reserves were at
almost full strength. Only Yureshan was missing through suspension, but he
was replaced in the squad by Alex Martin.
This week we even had the services of a referee, as Manny stepped in at the
last minute to make sure there was some semblance of order to the
proceedings.
As mentioned, the weather was friendly enough but the rain the previous week
had left the pitch in poor condition. Bumpy for the most part and still soft
and squidgy down the nearside touchline. Anyway, it would be the same for
both sides, but it was Keysborough who adapted to the pitch the better of
the two sides.
They controlled the game for pretty much most of the match although they
didn't create that many clear-cut chances. The first came from a turn-over
in midfield which left Bill G isolated and the centre-forward broke through.
One on one with Alistair he won the battle to put the visitors one up.
The reserves did play their part in the game, but the good stuff came in
patches. Matt got underneath a cross from the left and put his header over
from 6 yards out. Petey looked dangerous when galloping forward, almost
"guzzle" like. Alistair has had a good couple of weeks and score line apart,
managed to pull off a couple of fine point blank saves.
It's difficult to recall many more highlights, especially since the writer
had to fire up the barbeque. The burgers were cooked to perfection today
though, thanks to Alistair's Dad, Chris, who wields a mean tong. Hunger was
satisfied, off the pitch at least.
Playing downhill second half didn't make too much difference either as the
Waverley boys conceded a third and final goal midway through the half. Even
late pressure in the game couldn't get the score board ticking over in the
home sides favour. So the lads were a little lacklustre but are entitled to,
as it's been a long hard season. Hopefully they can get fired up for the
remaining 2 games and finish the season on a high.
The question now, is whether the seniors could grab a vital three points as
they attempt to scramble out of the relegation zone. Settle back as we
recall the events as they unfolded.
Seniors
Result ... 0-1
Halftime ...0-0
So here we go. The team photographs had been taken, hair had been brushed
and tweaked accordingly and Steve had the lads primed and ready for action.
This week he was without the services of Sammy (gone away) and Micky V (bad
lad). Anouk and Nanos were therefore drafted back into the starting XI. Greg
was looking to continue his good form and Justin was hoping to build on his
solid performance of the previous week. The backline had also been tight in
the last few games and were proving difficult to break down. This did have a
lot to do with the solid performances from the midfield, led as usual by
Kon.
As reported in the reserves write-up, the pitch was not looking too good and
both sides took a while to settle. The football wasn't pretty as the bumpy
pitch and blustery wind didn't help. Mistakes were plentiful, with too many
passes going astray, balls coming off shins and general untidiness.
In amongst the drab, there was one moment of class where Anouk sent over a
delightful cross for Met who had the freedom of the penalty box. Normally
assured, Met missed a clear header and the chance to take an early lead went
begging. This proved to be a rare opportunity and the visitors clawed their
way into the match.
From a corner kick Keysborough had ball in the net but it was disallowed for
a foul in the box. The lads breathed a sigh of relief, as there didn't seem
too much in it, but that was a life. A few moments later Steve made a smart
save from a snap shot. He couldn't have known too much about it as the ball
came through the packed penalty area.
Halftime came and went with the game scoreless. The visitors continued to
impress and were becoming more and more difficult to break down. They were
very disciplined and were one ofthe best teams we've played this season.
To emphasise their superiority, they had another goal disallowed. From a
free-kick just outside the area, they set up with 2 players standing in
front of the keeper. They raced forward just before the kick was taken, then
the shot was blasted into the top far corner. The ref blew his whistle and
goal the celebrations were cut short as he didn't let the goal stand. There
was conjecture as to why goal was disallowed. Offside? Interfering with
keeper? No, it was indirect, although no-one knew - luckily for us.
2 chances given but finally the Waverley lads luck ran out, although it took
a ripper of a goal to break the deadlock. The Keysborough player was allowed
time and space to run across the edge of box and fire home a fierce left
foot shot which left Steve no chance. We all agreed it was a goal fit to win
any game, but we did wonder why we couldn't create, or take, similar
chances.
So it ended 0-1 and all eyes looked to the results to see how other teams
around us went. Somehow it doesn't matter as all we have to do now is the
simple matter of winning the last 2 games of the season and claiming 10th
spot. Over to you Steve.
Now we're off to give the TV remote a work out as there's cricket, F1 and
Spurs v West Ham on at the same time. I think Spurs were 193 for 2 in a
McLaren.