Round 18 as it happened ...


At last, Saturday arrived and this week we looked forward to our
long-awaited rematch with St Kevin's. We won't bore you with the details of
the last time the two sides met, but all efforts were on making sure there
was to be no repeat of the result that weekend (in the seniors that is). In
an attempt to give you a mental picture, St Kevin's ground is nestled in a
quiet backwater surrounded by all that is good in this modernised western
world of ours - electricity pylons, substation and freeway. Still there was
a nice kiddie's play park next to the ground to give it a twee feel. As we
gathered, we watched in amazement as the ground staff were busily preparing
the pitch for play. Using a line marking machine that was out of date when
Julius Caesar was a corporal, the locals struggled to get things just about
ready. We weren't sure which of the three touchlines were actually the right
ones, but it's the thought that counts. To make things feel absolutely right
and normal, the referee never showed up either. So was this to be our
weekend when we found our holy grail or would we end up with a poison
chalice? Read on to find out ...

Reserves

St Kevin's (1) 1 v 2 (0) Glen Waverley

It wouldn't be the reserves if we didn't have some last minute team changes,
and this week was no exception. All the careful planning of the night before
was thrown into the filing cabinet marked - "Waste Paper Bin". Eduardo was
missing in action and Sir Alex was up in the mountains making snowmen (and
women I suppose) However Guillermo was back in the side, fresh from his
"holyday" with the Pope, and Tzekin also dropping down from his stint in the
Seniors added a bit of pace to the side. Dan was drafted in at the last
minute to take over goalkeeping duties from Alex.

As the game started though, it looked as if someone forgot to flick the switch to "on". It took
about 15 minutes for the Reserves to get going, by which time they had
already conceded the first goal. An unlikely break from midfield caught the
defence on the hop. This lacklustre start was no more evident than when a
quick throw was sent towards Robbie only for it to hit him on back of head.
Luckily it cannoned to Ian, but nothing came of this adventurous new move.
Gradually the lads got themselves moving and within about 20 minutes had
taken control of the game. Slick passing, sleek movement was matched in
equal measures by the ineptitude in front of goal. Matt continues to defy
logic by missing a target that measures 8m x 2.5m and is bounded by white
painted steel. This is a little harsh as he made and was involved in chance
after chance. Yureshan, Ian, Alex and Matt all had chances to get the score
board moving, but half time came and went with no change to the score line.


The key thing was for the reserves to stay patient as the goal would come in
time. Staying patient for all of 90 seconds, the Ressies drew level, with
Tzekin latching onto a loose ball in the box. Bill Orologas was again a key
element in a solid defence and was given good support from Al, Matt Depta,
Bill G and Guillermo. It was Guillermo who gave the side some excellent
attacking flair down the left, linking well with Alex Martin. Ian was also
dropping off the front men, making plenty of options and distributing balls
to willing runners. Playing super football, the reserves eventually got a
richly deserved second. A great ball in from the right by Bill O, was met by
Tzekin who grabbed his and the teams second for the day. Without too many
scares, that's how the score remained until the final whistle. A great
result which now gives the boys three wins in a row.
We crossed via satellite link up to Sir Alex in his winter retreat to get
his reaction to the result. "Fantastic result boys" he said "I'm over the
moon." We're all glad he's glad. So that's a wrap. I suppose it's a
gladwrap.

Seniors

St Kevin's (1) 1 v 4 (2) Glen Waverley

Now it was time for the main event, as the Seniors took to the paddock in
their attempt to get another win and make it two for the day. The team
weren't affected by too many changes other than positional ones. Julian was
given a man marking job on the much vaunted home team striker. A task which
he took to with relish and chutney, putting him in the frame for
man-of-the-match honours. Again in goal we found Steve V, looking like a
rabbit caught in the headlights of a car. Looking confident? Check out the
photos on the website and you can be the judge. The papers compared him to
Bosnich. Actually they said "Compared to Bosnich, he's shite". Last week,
the lads looked a little flat after the sterling performance against
Ringwood the previous week, so they were due for an upturn. The referee got
things going with a blast on the whistle that sounded like a blackbird
farting. A couple of early exchanges were inconclusive, but a ball whipped
in from the right, was met by Nanos. Collecting it calmly on the edge of the
box, he fired in a rocket left foot drive passed the outstretched arm of the
keeper.

1-0 and looking for more the Waverley Warriors were in charge.
However as with the reserves, they dropped their guard and the home side
took advantage, managing an equaliser midway through the first half. But
with Ben chasing and harrying the midfield, Justin in full flow and Matey
charging down the right, St Kevin's had no answer. Just before halftime,
Nanos grabbed a second to give the visitors the edge going into the halftime
break. Not before another three or four chances had gone begging though.
Theos, Lloydy and Nanos all guilty of faulty radar. Taking advantage of
there being no referee, the home side did enjoy a fair slice of the stand-in
ref's leniency. Allowing dangerous challenges to go unpunished and verbal
exchanges to become colourful, things could have become ugly. Whilst things
were simmering, the only thing that would put it all to bed was to put the
game out reach and not lower ourselves to their level. And so it proved as
Steve's lads added another 2 in the second half. Hayden added the third and
Nanos got the fourth, in the process getting a well-deserved hat-trick. The
success today was built on a solid defence, with Micky V again in charge
supported by Anouk and Julian. Top effort from all three as they made sure
Steve in goal was not given too many laundry problems. Introduced late in
the game, Alex Martin was given his first taste of Seniors Football and
didn't disappoint, almost getting on the end of a chance on goal. As for
peripheral goings-on, the referee continued to entertain throughout the
afternoon, as his whistle gave off periodic toots and peeps. We might send
them a new whistle, but then again we might not. So the afternoon ended on a
joyous note and the celebration chant in the rooms was more jubilant than
ever, finally putting to rest the ghost of that woeful afternoon in round 7.

Steve was full of praise for the team and as he took off the biological
hazard (aka keeper gloves), he said "These gloves stink". When asked about
the performance he was in good form "The boys were brilliant today. We
predicted a 4 goal game and that Nanos would get 3. We also said Hayden
would get on the score sheet." We asked if he could give us the winning
lottery numbers and the winner in the 3:30 at Flemington on Sunday. He kept
those to himself. So we left Steve gazing into his crystal ball, trying to
conjure up some magic for next week's clash with Caulfield.

Roll on next Saturday as the Glen Waverley juggernaut comes to a town near
you.