Sunday 13th May 2012, Central Park Malvern
Central Park 4 - Ashburton 2
"If you win - you can have next week off, but only if you win" - CP Coaching Committee.
And so it went -
On a traditional Melbourne day of sun, wind and torrential rain the gods smiled on us by clearing the skies for our local derby against Ashy.
We played into what was left of the breeze and both teams started brightly.
The twin towers were reunited at the back and immediately dominated proceedings in the air leaving Ashy no choice but to limit themselves to a ground level assault.
Our early forays were quick and clinical and after ten minutes we started to get well on top. Despite Neil and Lars dazzling footwork Ashy held out well. Having been racing all over the park the breakthrough came with an incredible jinking run by Dave Neal who went past four defenders, some of them twice, taking him into the area where he coolly slotted the opener. Clearly a different approach to 2012 where Dave refused to score, even when unopposed, until the very end of the season.
Despite the occasional forward burst the midfield was solid with Joe, Gerard and Peter well in control. A careless foul on the halfway line would have been harmless enough if we'd had the wind behind us. However, wind against Klotzy sized it up and decided even he couldn't hit it over the bar from 50 yards out and into the breeze. And so it proved as his trusty left boot dispatched the ball a foot under the bar for 2-0. "Roy of the Rovers" at its very best.
Just before the half Ashy pulled a goal back but all the TV channels were still running replays of Klotzy's goals whilst mathematicians hypothesised that Newton may have got it wrong.
The second half was more brilliant play from Central as we turned the screws and Dave Neal capped a best on ground day with an elegant finish to put us 3-1 ahead.
In between events the ref asked that I uncross my arms if I was going to "run" the line - delirious from the festival of football in front of me I had no comeback. Just as well he didn't realise I hadn't even been watching.
Sparked by the ref's chiding I did flag for my only off-side of the day as Lars broke free and scored. At least this should keep the golden boot interesting.
With the game in the bag I think we let Ashy have another goal before Neil Bates capped off another gut busting day with a fine goal. Still no yellows this season for Batesy but it is early days or is this the benefit of parenthood?
In the end a deserved 4-2 win and a really good team performance. Special note to Ant who donned the gloves and kept superbly for the second time this season.
Next game is at home to Collingwood on the 27th so enjoy the BYE this weekend.
We played into what was left of the breeze and both teams started brightly.
The twin towers were reunited at the back and immediately dominated proceedings in the air leaving Ashy no choice but to limit themselves to a ground level assault.
Our early forays were quick and clinical and after ten minutes we started to get well on top. Despite Neil and Lars dazzling footwork Ashy held out well. Having been racing all over the park the breakthrough came with an incredible jinking run by Dave Neal who went past four defenders, some of them twice, taking him into the area where he coolly slotted the opener. Clearly a different approach to 2012 where Dave refused to score, even when unopposed, until the very end of the season.
Despite the occasional forward burst the midfield was solid with Joe, Gerard and Peter well in control. A careless foul on the halfway line would have been harmless enough if we'd had the wind behind us. However, wind against Klotzy sized it up and decided even he couldn't hit it over the bar from 50 yards out and into the breeze. And so it proved as his trusty left boot dispatched the ball a foot under the bar for 2-0. "Roy of the Rovers" at its very best.
Just before the half Ashy pulled a goal back but all the TV channels were still running replays of Klotzy's goals whilst mathematicians hypothesised that Newton may have got it wrong.
The second half was more brilliant play from Central as we turned the screws and Dave Neal capped a best on ground day with an elegant finish to put us 3-1 ahead.
In between events the ref asked that I uncross my arms if I was going to "run" the line - delirious from the festival of football in front of me I had no comeback. Just as well he didn't realise I hadn't even been watching.
Sparked by the ref's chiding I did flag for my only off-side of the day as Lars broke free and scored. At least this should keep the golden boot interesting.
With the game in the bag I think we let Ashy have another goal before Neil Bates capped off another gut busting day with a fine goal. Still no yellows this season for Batesy but it is early days or is this the benefit of parenthood?
In the end a deserved 4-2 win and a really good team performance. Special note to Ant who donned the gloves and kept superbly for the second time this season.
Next game is at home to Collingwood on the 27th so enjoy the BYE this weekend.
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