SMS messages are plentiful these days and are generally quick,
gone-in-an-instant information snippets. But this weekend was preceded by
two messages of significance. The first message was sent on Friday and
announced "Hi this is Alistair, I can play tomorrow." The significance of
this message can be found if you read on. The second message, not so
important, but one which sort of sums up our Saturdays and it read "God
Bless match day morning's". How true.

God certainly blessed this weekend and round 5 proved to be a thriller of
epic proportions. Read on to find out how the day unfolded as we attempted
to knock Bayside out of their stride.

Round 5 v Bayside Argonauts
Venue ... Larpent Reserve (aka The Green Green Grass of Home)
Weather ... sun-drenched

Reserves
Result ... 0-0
(Halftime score ... 0-0)
Scorer ... ?????

       This weekend the reserves were up against the other unbeaten side in
the league, so there was plenty at stake as both sides took to the field.
The reserves have had a largely unchanged squad for the past few games and
this stability showed in the performance. Matey and Prashan both dropped
back into the side after short spells as back up for the senior squad. It is
in the backline where the consistency has been most effective. The
combination of Bill O and Dan in the middle, and Bill G and Theo on either
side, the lads are proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
Bayside tried to get their game going early and did enough to suggest this
was going to be a tough encounter. They had the first chances in the game, but
orange boots don't make a player good, and the orange booted player proved
this by missing the only real chance (and an easy one at that).

       As the Larpent boys settled down, Yureshan started to get some joy
down the right hand side. Not before taking a few whacks for his trouble.
Mind you, he can give as good as he gets, and its good to see the players
playing like they mean business. Passion was the key word this week and it
took some passion to keep themselves in the game. Bayside are a strong side,
but they do their fair share of whinging too. In fact it never stopped, even
when they got the freekicks.

       Chances were few and far between as both defences were pretty much
on top for the whole game. The home side rang the changes, dropping Ian back
into midfield to link up with the tireless Matey. Big Tony (or Antonius) was
sent up front to see if he could outmuscle the visitors backline. This he
did to good effect and a couple of opportunities did fall our way. Theo came
close with a rasping freekick from outside the box and Tony himself was
unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet with a couple of half chances.
Making his debut for the club was Murray, transferred at great expense (2
pies and 2 free cinema tickets) from Dandenong Sparrows. He did enough to
suggest he'll be a useful addition to the side.

       The seriousness of the match report, pretty much matches the way the
game was played. An arm-wrestle with neither side giving or conceding an
inch. It was an entertaining match for all that though. Plenty of good
football, from both sides, showing this was a true top of the table clash.

       Not a lot else to report, other than that would be the first time
we've ever done the victory chant at the end of a drawn game. Maybe because
that was as good as a win. But more likely because it was due to their coach
giving his players a good stiff talking to after the game. We just wanted to
remind a little more that it'll take something special to knock us over.

       Bottle and plenty of it boys. It'll take you all the way to the top.

Seniors
Result ... 1-0
(Halftime score ... 0-0)
Scorer ... Petey - you bloody beauty!

If you recall, we mentioned earlier an important text message received on
Friday about the availability of our keeper. Steve's response to the message
is not one that can be repeated here as we know that miners read these
reports. A huge sigh of relief was heard as Alistair made himself available.
Mind you, he played for his school down in Geelong in the morning and thanks
to his Dad, Lewis Barcham managed to make it to Larpent on time for the main
event. And boy did he make it worthwhile.

There's a post in the forum section that pretty well sums up the mood and
performance today but doesn't single out individual performances. In a team
environment, maybe this is how it should be, but our keeper today stood tall
and had one of those days where time just stands still. One breath-taking
one-handed save in the first half stands out as a season highlight. And may
even prove ultimately to be a season defining moment.

Bayside came to play today and our lads stepped up to the challenge. Micky V
was welcomed back after his enforced layoff. This being the only change to
the starting 11, with Steve V dropping to the bench. The side looks more
settled now and as with the reserves, stability seems to be the key. Players
know whose around them and can play with more confidence. The visitors
started lively, which seems to be the way of things, obviously looking to
intimidate from the outset. Steve's charges are made of sterner stuff these
days and gave as good as they got.

The backline of Mick, Justin and Julian get better each week and with
Alistair behind them, its going to take something special to crack them
open. The free header which prompted Alistair's wonder save was one of the
few times the visitors broke the shackles. The first half saw few chances,
but Kon saw a first time volley go inches wide, this being the closest the
Larpent lads came.

All square at halftime, and after 16 goals in 2 games the previous week, we
were wondering if we were actually going to see one this week at all. Long
range efforts were all Bayside were restricted to for large parts of the
second half as Glen Waverley took some control in the middle. Greg, thought
he should get points in the votes today, but unfortunately giving the ball
away often, doesn't impress the judges. Kon didn't get too much freedom this
week either and limped off early in the second half to be replaced by the
irrepressible Metin. Within minutes of coming on Met came close to snatching
the opening goal, with a header that was too good. It also went narrowly
wide. However the effort wrecked Met's afternoon as he succumbed the
recurring hamstring injury. So the sub was subbed, Steve V coming on to add
a bit of grunt.

For the first time in the game Glen Waverley had the upper hand and with 10
minutes to go, Petey looped a long range header over the outstretched arm of
the keeper and under the cross bar into the net. Petey then disappeared
under a pile of bodies that was soon to contain Sav. Petey managed to
wriggle free just in time otherwise we might have been able to slide him
under the changing room door.

In between all of this Alistair had managed to pull off another couple of
first class saves, one of which was his tip over the bar from another long
range effort. Backs to the wall stuff as Bayside tried to pull the game
back. The Glen Waverley lads hung on bravely, showing all that passion that
had been missing in previous games. And so the countdown began. 10 minutes
,9 minutes, 8 minutes ... another 30 minutes later ... 7 minutes ... 3 hours
later .... 6 minutes etc etc. Finally the referee put us out of our misery
and into instant ecstasy. What a feeling. To have ground out a win against
the previously unbeaten Bayside Argonauts.

The victory chant was probably the loudest yet and so richly deserved. A
great game to watch, with both sides contributing to the entertainment.
However the three points belong to Glen Waverley, but thanks must go to
Alistair and Pete for their priceless contributions.

Pride and passion boys. We're here and we're here to stay.

Next week Noble Park, and boy, will we have a surprise for them.