| Glen Waverley Soccer Club - Mens Seniors & Reserves |
BEFORE YOU READ:
Have you secured your ticket to the 2009 Presentation Night?
Click here for more information
Here we go with the last ressies game of the season.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the final round up for Season 2009. Our
tumultuous first season in the Provisional league division 3 finally came to
its dramatic conclusion. For the final weekend, we decided to relocate to
our palatial facilities at Glen Waverley - a ground by the way, on which we
have not won a single game in 4 attempts. Not a good omen, when we needed a
point in the seniors game to be safe from relegation. But all good jinxes
normally get ended sooner or later so let's see if we could bring this
hoodoo to an end.
Round 22 v Eltham North
Venue ... Glen Waverly North Reserve, the ground with the illegal goalposts!
Weather ... a light sprinkling of sun-kissed clouds on an azure sky, swept
lazily on a spring breeze.
Reserves
Result ... 1-1
Halftime ... 0-1
Scorer ... Lloydy
The squad was almost back to full strength with the return of Guillermo and
Eddie. Only Sean Weragoda was missing through injury. So with last week's
tremendous result and performance fresh in the memory, the question was
could the lads carry this forward.
We're not quite sure what's in the water at Eltham or indeed what they feed
them on, but they had to be the tallest and biggest team we'd played.
Prashan and Sean must have had sore necks looking up at their vertically
challenged opponents. So with an expansive blast of the referee's whistle,
the game got under way.
For the most part of the half the Glen Waverley boys were on top and played
the more cultured football. The visitors reliance on the long ball was dealt
with quite comfortably by the now solid backline of Theo, Bill, Matt and
Sean. Steve S was also solid in goal for the second week in a row, putting
his seniors experience to good use. Going forward the boys were looking good
too and both Alex and Yureshan were unlucky with early chances. Prashan was
tearing the visitors a new ****, and it was a through ball from Prashan that
our best chance fell. A ball through to Murray fell invitingly and he had
the ball in the back of the net, only for a slightly dubious offside flag
being raised. Alex also had a goal disallowed in similarly contentious
circumstances. Both well-timed runs and supreme finishes ruined by a knob
with a little flag.
For all the pressure though it was Eltham though who an undeserved lead
although it was a well-taken goal for all that. An exquisite through ball
from Murray, who had a seniors moment and couldn't remember which side he
was on, tried to play a ball back to Steve. He unwittingly laid the ball
into the patch of an unseen Eltham player who tucked away his opportunity
well. Not sure quite how he was unseen as he was wearing read and was about
6'-4".
The middle of the park was being well-marshalled by Dan and Murray, except
for Murray's early display of senile dementia, and it was a loss when Dan
had to be replaced at halftime through a knee injury.
Eduardo was brought on up front to try and hold the ball up and he looked to
be on fire, zipping around all over the place. Not sure what his new wife
had been feeding him, but it seemed to be doing the trick. Anyway, the lads
were still playing well and the chances continued to be created. Lloydy
managed to squander one clear cut chance but made amends not long after. A
free kick was not cleared by Eltham and the ball fell invitingly to Lloyd,
and from 10 metres out, slammed home the equaliser.
Guillermo and Chris were both thrown on to add some fresh impetus, and they
battled gamely to try and stamp some authority. As the game wore both sides
looked like they'd settle for the draw and that's how it ended. Points
shared and credit to the visitors who were a far more solid outfit than the
team that presented itself in round 11. Applause for our lads too as they
brought the curtain down on a solid season, with 6th place in the bag. Take
a bow lads, a big thanks to Dan and Andy, have a rest and see you all at
pre-season. But not before we've had a peak at how the seniors were doing in
their relegation battle.
The last one, until next season that is!
Seniors
Result ... 0-3
Half-time ... 0-2
Scorers???
On the back of a successful road trip to Old Trinity last week, the boys
were hoping to break the Glen Waverley jinx. The reserves had almost managed
to stop the rot, but the seniors boys were in need of a point to secure
their place in the league, and the signs were good. The only change to the
squad this week was the return of Matey to the line-up, replacing Anouk who
had to miss out due to family commitments.
The lads seemed to settle well and early signs were encouraging. For the
first 20 minutes it was one-way traffic and Glen Waverley were in control,
even playing up hill and into the wind. after those first 20 minutes, it
became clear that you need to create and take chances when you are on top,
as Eltham clearly demonstrated. Using their height and strength to good
advantage they clawed their way back into the game.
Their football is basic, but they were disciplined and quick enough to cause
problems across the Glen Waverley backline. Whilst chances had been made,
Alistair was having another outstanding game stopping most of what was
thrown at him. He couldn't have known too much about the visitors first goal
though as it came in fortuitous circumstances. (2 long words in a row, lads.
I'll try not to use too many more, for Julian and Petey's sake). A long
range free kick on the right was sent into the box and didn't seem to touch
too many players as it bounced twice and ended up hitting the back of the
net. Lottery tickets at the ready, if you please.
Heads went down a little as the "Curse of North" seemed to be showing it's
face again. However, the lads pushed on and a couple of great chances fell
to Metin and he saw first a header then a snap shot go narrowly wide. Surely
one must go in. But no, it wasn't to be and again the visitors made the
Waverley boys pay for their profligacy in front of goal. They were awarded
another free-kick on the edge of the box which was charged down by Micky.
The loose ball was picked up by Eltham and they caught the lads napping
again and grabbed their second before the break.
The second half was a tight struggle as both sides failed to take full
control and chances were few and far between. Steven Harvey came close
twice, with a couple of spectacular bicycle kicks. Wonderful technique on
both occasions and unlucky not to stick at least one away. Matey was also
having a cracking game as always but could do little without support.
As it happened, Eltham managed to grab a third, luckily on the break, with
the tall gangly streak of misery in the gloves up front getting on the score
sheet. A bit of a whingey clown, but took his chance well. The third goal
was the killer blow and the hoodoo was safe for another 6 months at least.
Of course we can't blame any jinx, hoodoo or curse, but we might just get on
the internet and find out the name of the nearest witch doctor. Or maybe we
just try and play a little better, or to our full potential.
So the season ended on a bit of a downer, but we soon perked up when the
result from East Bentleigh came through. They'd only managed a draw at home
to Keysborough, meaning that we'd finish in 10th place and were safe for
another season in Provy 3. This brought a few smiles back onto the faces,
along with some sighs of relief. The end of a challenging season but we look
forward to next season, where we can only get stronger.
Well done lads.
To clear the minds and get rid of all the pent up tension, we all ventured
to the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, to be entertained by Sweetmac. With our
very own Dan Beebee on bass, Mick on guitar and Rachael on drums, the band
played a thunderous 30 minute set, in the basement bar. The trio ripped
through timeless classics Rag Doll and Slipping Away, and the flawless set
was topped off with the classic Over We Go. A great way to finish the night
and the season.
To all the players, supporters, families and friends, thanks for a great
season and thanks for the kind words from all of you who have enjoyed
reading these weekly reports. See you all in 2010, God willing.
Have you secured your ticket to the 2009 Presentation Night?
Click here for more information
Here we go with the last ressies game of the season.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the final round up for Season 2009. Our
tumultuous first season in the Provisional league division 3 finally came to
its dramatic conclusion. For the final weekend, we decided to relocate to
our palatial facilities at Glen Waverley - a ground by the way, on which we
have not won a single game in 4 attempts. Not a good omen, when we needed a
point in the seniors game to be safe from relegation. But all good jinxes
normally get ended sooner or later so let's see if we could bring this
hoodoo to an end.
Round 22 v Eltham North
Venue ... Glen Waverly North Reserve, the ground with the illegal goalposts!
Weather ... a light sprinkling of sun-kissed clouds on an azure sky, swept
lazily on a spring breeze.
Reserves
Result ... 1-1
Halftime ... 0-1
Scorer ... Lloydy
The squad was almost back to full strength with the return of Guillermo and
Eddie. Only Sean Weragoda was missing through injury. So with last week's
tremendous result and performance fresh in the memory, the question was
could the lads carry this forward.
We're not quite sure what's in the water at Eltham or indeed what they feed
them on, but they had to be the tallest and biggest team we'd played.
Prashan and Sean must have had sore necks looking up at their vertically
challenged opponents. So with an expansive blast of the referee's whistle,
the game got under way.
For the most part of the half the Glen Waverley boys were on top and played
the more cultured football. The visitors reliance on the long ball was dealt
with quite comfortably by the now solid backline of Theo, Bill, Matt and
Sean. Steve S was also solid in goal for the second week in a row, putting
his seniors experience to good use. Going forward the boys were looking good
too and both Alex and Yureshan were unlucky with early chances. Prashan was
tearing the visitors a new ****, and it was a through ball from Prashan that
our best chance fell. A ball through to Murray fell invitingly and he had
the ball in the back of the net, only for a slightly dubious offside flag
being raised. Alex also had a goal disallowed in similarly contentious
circumstances. Both well-timed runs and supreme finishes ruined by a knob
with a little flag.
For all the pressure though it was Eltham though who an undeserved lead
although it was a well-taken goal for all that. An exquisite through ball
from Murray, who had a seniors moment and couldn't remember which side he
was on, tried to play a ball back to Steve. He unwittingly laid the ball
into the patch of an unseen Eltham player who tucked away his opportunity
well. Not sure quite how he was unseen as he was wearing read and was about
6'-4".
The middle of the park was being well-marshalled by Dan and Murray, except
for Murray's early display of senile dementia, and it was a loss when Dan
had to be replaced at halftime through a knee injury.
Eduardo was brought on up front to try and hold the ball up and he looked to
be on fire, zipping around all over the place. Not sure what his new wife
had been feeding him, but it seemed to be doing the trick. Anyway, the lads
were still playing well and the chances continued to be created. Lloydy
managed to squander one clear cut chance but made amends not long after. A
free kick was not cleared by Eltham and the ball fell invitingly to Lloyd,
and from 10 metres out, slammed home the equaliser.
Guillermo and Chris were both thrown on to add some fresh impetus, and they
battled gamely to try and stamp some authority. As the game wore both sides
looked like they'd settle for the draw and that's how it ended. Points
shared and credit to the visitors who were a far more solid outfit than the
team that presented itself in round 11. Applause for our lads too as they
brought the curtain down on a solid season, with 6th place in the bag. Take
a bow lads, a big thanks to Dan and Andy, have a rest and see you all at
pre-season. But not before we've had a peak at how the seniors were doing in
their relegation battle.
The last one, until next season that is!
Seniors
Result ... 0-3
Half-time ... 0-2
Scorers???
On the back of a successful road trip to Old Trinity last week, the boys
were hoping to break the Glen Waverley jinx. The reserves had almost managed
to stop the rot, but the seniors boys were in need of a point to secure
their place in the league, and the signs were good. The only change to the
squad this week was the return of Matey to the line-up, replacing Anouk who
had to miss out due to family commitments.
The lads seemed to settle well and early signs were encouraging. For the
first 20 minutes it was one-way traffic and Glen Waverley were in control,
even playing up hill and into the wind. after those first 20 minutes, it
became clear that you need to create and take chances when you are on top,
as Eltham clearly demonstrated. Using their height and strength to good
advantage they clawed their way back into the game.
Their football is basic, but they were disciplined and quick enough to cause
problems across the Glen Waverley backline. Whilst chances had been made,
Alistair was having another outstanding game stopping most of what was
thrown at him. He couldn't have known too much about the visitors first goal
though as it came in fortuitous circumstances. (2 long words in a row, lads.
I'll try not to use too many more, for Julian and Petey's sake). A long
range free kick on the right was sent into the box and didn't seem to touch
too many players as it bounced twice and ended up hitting the back of the
net. Lottery tickets at the ready, if you please.
Heads went down a little as the "Curse of North" seemed to be showing it's
face again. However, the lads pushed on and a couple of great chances fell
to Metin and he saw first a header then a snap shot go narrowly wide. Surely
one must go in. But no, it wasn't to be and again the visitors made the
Waverley boys pay for their profligacy in front of goal. They were awarded
another free-kick on the edge of the box which was charged down by Micky.
The loose ball was picked up by Eltham and they caught the lads napping
again and grabbed their second before the break.
The second half was a tight struggle as both sides failed to take full
control and chances were few and far between. Steven Harvey came close
twice, with a couple of spectacular bicycle kicks. Wonderful technique on
both occasions and unlucky not to stick at least one away. Matey was also
having a cracking game as always but could do little without support.
As it happened, Eltham managed to grab a third, luckily on the break, with
the tall gangly streak of misery in the gloves up front getting on the score
sheet. A bit of a whingey clown, but took his chance well. The third goal
was the killer blow and the hoodoo was safe for another 6 months at least.
Of course we can't blame any jinx, hoodoo or curse, but we might just get on
the internet and find out the name of the nearest witch doctor. Or maybe we
just try and play a little better, or to our full potential.
So the season ended on a bit of a downer, but we soon perked up when the
result from East Bentleigh came through. They'd only managed a draw at home
to Keysborough, meaning that we'd finish in 10th place and were safe for
another season in Provy 3. This brought a few smiles back onto the faces,
along with some sighs of relief. The end of a challenging season but we look
forward to next season, where we can only get stronger.
Well done lads.
To clear the minds and get rid of all the pent up tension, we all ventured
to the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, to be entertained by Sweetmac. With our
very own Dan Beebee on bass, Mick on guitar and Rachael on drums, the band
played a thunderous 30 minute set, in the basement bar. The trio ripped
through timeless classics Rag Doll and Slipping Away, and the flawless set
was topped off with the classic Over We Go. A great way to finish the night
and the season.
To all the players, supporters, families and friends, thanks for a great
season and thanks for the kind words from all of you who have enjoyed
reading these weekly reports. See you all in 2010, God willing.
