Sunday, 15 April 2012, Beaumaris.
Beaumaris 4 - Central Park 2
"THE KIDS ARE AAAALLLLRRRIIGGGHHHTTT!"
"THE KIDS ARE AAAALLLLRRRIIGGGHHHTTT!"
The season opener banged a gong in the history of Central Park Football Club as the first official outing for newlyweds Central Park Rangers and AC Malvern. Whilst they trekked Bayside to battle Beaumaris on an unusually warm Autumn afternoon, Ranger's 'dads army' Masters side took advantage of an unexpected Round 1 forfeit, collecting the 2 points and 3 goal windfall in the process.
Things weren't going to come so easily for the Thirds, against a side they'd levelled more pre-pubescent, acne and Bieber jokes at in football
history. Not that our taunts counted for much, as this fixture produced a
5 nil demolition in favour of the spotty youths last season. Much has changed since then
however (a couple of the nippers have made it to 'second base' - ok no more, i promise....), including the improved strength of the Central Park squad courtesy of
some new faces.
CP's pre-game warm up confirmed one of two things as far as this butter-fingered keeper was concerned:
1. It'd been a very, very long time since i've had shots blasted at me, or perhaps i'd gone a bit top heavy on the sorbolene over Summer (We all remember my 'efforts' on the speedball at Timezone). New gloves and all, my hands were stinging like buggery after half a dozen or so balls were fired in my direction.
and
2. The lads meant business, as they drilled strike after strike past me, into me, under me, almost always on target. This was exciting, albeit painful.
A sporting gesture wouldn't go unnoticed, as the Beaumaris no. 29 was kind enough to wish Tim N luck in goals, before adding "you're a bit of a 'Ralph Lauren' keeper aren't you?" (As only a clumsy adolescent might) in reference to Tim's new Adidas goalie get-up. Cheeky little bastard......
From the get go the match was a much more even contest than previous encounters, probably much to the surprise of the speedy and fitter Beaumaris. Facing a team that seemed to make keeping possession a priority with extensive passing, the blue and golds found themselves doing more of the chasing early on.
New recruits Paul and Rod were lively and heavily involved early, Paul winning many contests in the middle with Rod steering things from the spine. Tim C started as a terrier and wouldn't stop for the remainder of the afternoon with or without possession of the ball.
Beaumaris attempted to move the ball wide fast and as early as possible in an attempt to utilise their pace, clearly secret to their success. Colin on the right, and Sparky on the left worked overtime to contain attacks down the flanks.
Central Park continued to push the ball around and fight hard for possession, Mario and Steve leading the way in the winning of the 50-50's. Meanwhile Tim C continued to be as creative as hell and cause all sorts of worry for the Beaumaris defence. Free flowing football continued with the spaces opening up due to the movement off the ball and unpredictability from a Central Park outfit attempting to find their groove as a unit. Several genuine scoring chances were served up in what was an extremely impressive Central Park passage of play, complementing a well managed rotation policy to counter the heat and superior fitness.
The first half deepened and Beaumaris' conditioning begun to become the dominating factor, as they crept up further toward enemy territory. Seemingly showing a degree of impatience, an innocuous half strike/half pass floated it's way towards Tim in goal who, casually meandering across to collect, foolishly placed only one hand towards it and took his eye off ball. The result being the perfect deflection into the top corner for the first goal. A howler of monumental proportions, and no doubt one for the bloopers reel.
As so often is the script of Central Park (well, of the AC kind anyway), the distraction allowed Beaumaris to put their foot to the floor, a lapse in concentration down the right thanks enough for the smallest man (after Gaz) on the park to drill a second into the roof of the net past a hapless Tim. Then, from the ensuing kickoff, one ray of sunshine too many brought the brilliantly reliable Dave undone at centreback, as another Beaumaris striker, hardly believing his luck slotted a low outside toe-poke past Tim in goals for a third.
3 nil at half time, an unfair reflection on the game as a contest.
The brains trust consisting of Mario, Rod and Steve made some necessary changes at the break, stabilising the Central Park back four whilst promoting a more attacking style of play with the use of wingbacks. Tim C continued to pepper away and use the likes of Daniel, Matt and the ever powerful and dangerous Nick in driving towards the Beaumaris goal. Garriet provided a useful target as always both to feet and somehow winning in the air, annoying defenders, and only just unable to find the right moment to pull the trigger.
Beaumaris' scoring opportunities had dried up considerably, testament to Central Park now controlling sway, yet again though, a moments lapse in failing to shut the man down allowed a decent shot to be fired Tim-wards who, at a stretch could only parry the ball into the path of a well timed Beaumaris runner to comfortably head home.
At 4 nil, the game seemed beyond the reach of Central Park, not that they chose to believe this was the case. If anything, they became more physical and harder at the ball, creating some sensational turner overs which again provided attacking opportunities. Central Park debutant, Nick, found himself extremely unlucky on several occasions not to head home and no doubt a genuine aerial attacking threat has been unearthed.
Finally CP's hard yards paid dividends as Tim C, who'd by now had travelled further than Burke and Wills, again found space and drilled home. Justice served, as a blatant check on Tim in the penalty box earlier was ignored by the whistle-shy soccer dad, refereeing in the absence of an official, denying both a scoring a chance or penalty.
A goalmouth scramble, corner here and there, sweeping sideline movements and a boy half his size nearly paralysing a committed Colin were some of the final stages of play. (below)
Again a clumsy Beaumaris challenge with the aid of a hand this time saw the penalty given. No chewy on the boot of Steve as he coolly sent a more than competent Beaumaris keeper the wrong direction. Central Park would see off a couple of late surges from the home side thanks to authority at the back and better second half keeping.
A loss that in all fairness probably should've been a draw. There's definitely loads of goals in the boys from Central Park, and it's unlikely they'll encounter a fitter team in this competition suggesting, as what the "juvi's" down Beaumaris way might call, "high times" (i know, i know i promised).
Final: Beaumaris 4 - Central Park 2
Best: Tim C
The Rest: Colin, Mark, Richard O, Nick, Daniel
A sporting gesture wouldn't go unnoticed, as the Beaumaris no. 29 was kind enough to wish Tim N luck in goals, before adding "you're a bit of a 'Ralph Lauren' keeper aren't you?" (As only a clumsy adolescent might) in reference to Tim's new Adidas goalie get-up. Cheeky little bastard......
From the get go the match was a much more even contest than previous encounters, probably much to the surprise of the speedy and fitter Beaumaris. Facing a team that seemed to make keeping possession a priority with extensive passing, the blue and golds found themselves doing more of the chasing early on.
New recruits Paul and Rod were lively and heavily involved early, Paul winning many contests in the middle with Rod steering things from the spine. Tim C started as a terrier and wouldn't stop for the remainder of the afternoon with or without possession of the ball.
Beaumaris attempted to move the ball wide fast and as early as possible in an attempt to utilise their pace, clearly secret to their success. Colin on the right, and Sparky on the left worked overtime to contain attacks down the flanks.
Central Park continued to push the ball around and fight hard for possession, Mario and Steve leading the way in the winning of the 50-50's. Meanwhile Tim C continued to be as creative as hell and cause all sorts of worry for the Beaumaris defence. Free flowing football continued with the spaces opening up due to the movement off the ball and unpredictability from a Central Park outfit attempting to find their groove as a unit. Several genuine scoring chances were served up in what was an extremely impressive Central Park passage of play, complementing a well managed rotation policy to counter the heat and superior fitness.
The first half deepened and Beaumaris' conditioning begun to become the dominating factor, as they crept up further toward enemy territory. Seemingly showing a degree of impatience, an innocuous half strike/half pass floated it's way towards Tim in goal who, casually meandering across to collect, foolishly placed only one hand towards it and took his eye off ball. The result being the perfect deflection into the top corner for the first goal. A howler of monumental proportions, and no doubt one for the bloopers reel.
As so often is the script of Central Park (well, of the AC kind anyway), the distraction allowed Beaumaris to put their foot to the floor, a lapse in concentration down the right thanks enough for the smallest man (after Gaz) on the park to drill a second into the roof of the net past a hapless Tim. Then, from the ensuing kickoff, one ray of sunshine too many brought the brilliantly reliable Dave undone at centreback, as another Beaumaris striker, hardly believing his luck slotted a low outside toe-poke past Tim in goals for a third.
3 nil at half time, an unfair reflection on the game as a contest.
The brains trust consisting of Mario, Rod and Steve made some necessary changes at the break, stabilising the Central Park back four whilst promoting a more attacking style of play with the use of wingbacks. Tim C continued to pepper away and use the likes of Daniel, Matt and the ever powerful and dangerous Nick in driving towards the Beaumaris goal. Garriet provided a useful target as always both to feet and somehow winning in the air, annoying defenders, and only just unable to find the right moment to pull the trigger.
Beaumaris' scoring opportunities had dried up considerably, testament to Central Park now controlling sway, yet again though, a moments lapse in failing to shut the man down allowed a decent shot to be fired Tim-wards who, at a stretch could only parry the ball into the path of a well timed Beaumaris runner to comfortably head home.
At 4 nil, the game seemed beyond the reach of Central Park, not that they chose to believe this was the case. If anything, they became more physical and harder at the ball, creating some sensational turner overs which again provided attacking opportunities. Central Park debutant, Nick, found himself extremely unlucky on several occasions not to head home and no doubt a genuine aerial attacking threat has been unearthed.
Finally CP's hard yards paid dividends as Tim C, who'd by now had travelled further than Burke and Wills, again found space and drilled home. Justice served, as a blatant check on Tim in the penalty box earlier was ignored by the whistle-shy soccer dad, refereeing in the absence of an official, denying both a scoring a chance or penalty.
A goalmouth scramble, corner here and there, sweeping sideline movements and a boy half his size nearly paralysing a committed Colin were some of the final stages of play. (below)
 |
| (Less is More: CP defender Colin Brien get's 'belittled') |
Again a clumsy Beaumaris challenge with the aid of a hand this time saw the penalty given. No chewy on the boot of Steve as he coolly sent a more than competent Beaumaris keeper the wrong direction. Central Park would see off a couple of late surges from the home side thanks to authority at the back and better second half keeping.
A loss that in all fairness probably should've been a draw. There's definitely loads of goals in the boys from Central Park, and it's unlikely they'll encounter a fitter team in this competition suggesting, as what the "juvi's" down Beaumaris way might call, "high times" (i know, i know i promised).
 |
| EPICCCC!!!!! |
Final: Beaumaris 4 - Central Park 2
Best: Tim C
The Rest: Colin, Mark, Richard O, Nick, Daniel
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