Sunday 6th May, 2012, Central Park Malvern
Central Park 4 - Monash Uni 0
Central Park spend up big in the face of frugal Federal Budget.
On the eve of Treasurer Swan announcing a fiscal nightmare for the ritzy ratepaying Malvern locals, their beloved Central Park Rangers were a world away, shaking off any such stresses with a 4 nil hiding of fellow cellar-dwellers Monash Uni.
Following two spirited losses and a draw, a win was a long time coming for the red and black CP Thirds. Facing an opposition with similar credentials, this was Central Park's chance to capitalise, and boy, did they do just that.
A buoyant mood was evident for the first home game of the season, despite Central Park being decimated by injury and unavailability - at one stage facing the real possibility of having only 10 players. However, that was knocked on the head as the lads showed their commitment to the team and suddenly a squad of 14 was more than ready for battle. Cameo of the year from last season, Wade, even put his hand up to help Central Park out, pushing through soreness thanks to a brutal match the day prior.
Where Wade would suffer in silence, the same couldn't be said for our friendly whistled adjudicator, his pre-game speil going something like: "Right, i referreed games on both Thursday and Friday night, plus a Premier League Game yesterday, so if i make a mistake - it's cos i'm tired" - whilst splitting the atom and serving meals at the local soup kitchen later that afternoon, he would be overheard saying: "got a bit of a sore back from restumping the house this morning, just hope i'm right to invade Poland next week - honestly, my wife will leave me when she gets to know me". What a trooper! Not a bad ref either.
In front of a vocal Malvern crowd, the fired up Rangers boys continued their consistant neat, short and sharp passing game from the kickoff. Championchip data would illustrate a lopsided possession count and workrate in their favor - not bad for a team missing regulars Colin, Richard, Mario, Stu Fleming and captain Steve Creswell.
Central Park's physical pressure would quickly become the dominant factor against the 'less robust' Monash bodies, a couple of seasons short of equal stature.
Tim Charters would again get the ball rolling for the homeside, grinding out a fantastic goal. The Central Park spearhead wrestled his own possession, brushed past no less than 3 defenders, danced alone the bi-line and rippingly slotted the ball low and hard from close range for the opener.
A rolled ankle to Mark, coupled with flying Daniel having his shin trodden on in something more like a Rugby ruck'n'maul were two of the more notable adversities to come Central Park's way in the first half. Well, you could also throw in Paul fashion sense courtesy of his brand new orange boots - but he likes them so that's open for debate.....
1 nil at the break was promising, but Central Park were far from convinced that the points were in the bag. With good reason too, as yet another younger team would come at them full of running looking to exploit their speed out wide.
Down to 13 following Mark's early retirement, the lads kept the rotations coming to combat inevitable fatigue that seems to follow this ageing team like old ladies to a Tom Jones gig. Rod, who'd found the time to give a 'fly-on-the-wall' half time phone interview, picked up from where he left off, dominating at the back, and totally owning the Monash centre forward.
Damo, in the first game back of his swan-song Central Park career, was his usual gritty self - often ending on his arse, but always managing to prize away possession or take care of his opponent.
Like a scene from Children of the Damned, the trio of Paul-Jeremy-Tim would spook the shit out of not only the opposition but also their own team mates, courtesy of an almost 'sixth sense' in being able to find one another. Time and again it would happen, a no-look pass here, blind glancing header into one anothers path there. A yelp this way, a bark that - it was magical to watch, and downright creepy..... I'm going to assume it's a bi-product of playing in the same team for a while, though i'm packing the garlic and a vile of holy water next week.
As the Monash machine would gradually peiter out, Central Park upped the tempo in search of more goals. They didn't have to wait long, as Gaz, who'd been selfless all day in holding the ball up and providing for others around him - farmed a ball out to Jeremy to find space and score his first of the season.
An injured Nick, who would play a vital 'swiss army knife' type role under considerable pain then found himself in space (possibly because he too was headed for sideline thanks to a quarrelsome calf), moved forward, and finished truly.
If there was ever a question that Tom Davies was a footballers son, it was confirmed at the tireless young buck ran all day and was rewarded with the final goal of the afternoon. Clearly the boy's mother had footballing acumen..... :)
A couple of late surges by the opposition who made changes of their own, would threaten keep things interesting, but fine defending by Matt, Dave and Tim in goals would ensure that a clean sheet was kept and that this paragraph would give every player a mention. Probably an appropriate gesture for what was a brilliant all round team performance.
Tim C - 1
Jeremy - 1
Nick - 1
Tommy - 1
Best: Tim C
The Rest: Jeremy, Rod, Daniel, Dave, Paul
Central Park 4 - Monash Uni 0
Central Park spend up big in the face of frugal Federal Budget.
On the eve of Treasurer Swan announcing a fiscal nightmare for the ritzy ratepaying Malvern locals, their beloved Central Park Rangers were a world away, shaking off any such stresses with a 4 nil hiding of fellow cellar-dwellers Monash Uni.
Following two spirited losses and a draw, a win was a long time coming for the red and black CP Thirds. Facing an opposition with similar credentials, this was Central Park's chance to capitalise, and boy, did they do just that.
A buoyant mood was evident for the first home game of the season, despite Central Park being decimated by injury and unavailability - at one stage facing the real possibility of having only 10 players. However, that was knocked on the head as the lads showed their commitment to the team and suddenly a squad of 14 was more than ready for battle. Cameo of the year from last season, Wade, even put his hand up to help Central Park out, pushing through soreness thanks to a brutal match the day prior.
Where Wade would suffer in silence, the same couldn't be said for our friendly whistled adjudicator, his pre-game speil going something like: "Right, i referreed games on both Thursday and Friday night, plus a Premier League Game yesterday, so if i make a mistake - it's cos i'm tired" - whilst splitting the atom and serving meals at the local soup kitchen later that afternoon, he would be overheard saying: "got a bit of a sore back from restumping the house this morning, just hope i'm right to invade Poland next week - honestly, my wife will leave me when she gets to know me". What a trooper! Not a bad ref either.
In front of a vocal Malvern crowd, the fired up Rangers boys continued their consistant neat, short and sharp passing game from the kickoff. Championchip data would illustrate a lopsided possession count and workrate in their favor - not bad for a team missing regulars Colin, Richard, Mario, Stu Fleming and captain Steve Creswell.
Central Park's physical pressure would quickly become the dominant factor against the 'less robust' Monash bodies, a couple of seasons short of equal stature.
Tim Charters would again get the ball rolling for the homeside, grinding out a fantastic goal. The Central Park spearhead wrestled his own possession, brushed past no less than 3 defenders, danced alone the bi-line and rippingly slotted the ball low and hard from close range for the opener.
A rolled ankle to Mark, coupled with flying Daniel having his shin trodden on in something more like a Rugby ruck'n'maul were two of the more notable adversities to come Central Park's way in the first half. Well, you could also throw in Paul fashion sense courtesy of his brand new orange boots - but he likes them so that's open for debate.....
1 nil at the break was promising, but Central Park were far from convinced that the points were in the bag. With good reason too, as yet another younger team would come at them full of running looking to exploit their speed out wide.
Down to 13 following Mark's early retirement, the lads kept the rotations coming to combat inevitable fatigue that seems to follow this ageing team like old ladies to a Tom Jones gig. Rod, who'd found the time to give a 'fly-on-the-wall' half time phone interview, picked up from where he left off, dominating at the back, and totally owning the Monash centre forward.
Damo, in the first game back of his swan-song Central Park career, was his usual gritty self - often ending on his arse, but always managing to prize away possession or take care of his opponent.
Like a scene from Children of the Damned, the trio of Paul-Jeremy-Tim would spook the shit out of not only the opposition but also their own team mates, courtesy of an almost 'sixth sense' in being able to find one another. Time and again it would happen, a no-look pass here, blind glancing header into one anothers path there. A yelp this way, a bark that - it was magical to watch, and downright creepy..... I'm going to assume it's a bi-product of playing in the same team for a while, though i'm packing the garlic and a vile of holy water next week.
An injured Nick, who would play a vital 'swiss army knife' type role under considerable pain then found himself in space (possibly because he too was headed for sideline thanks to a quarrelsome calf), moved forward, and finished truly.
If there was ever a question that Tom Davies was a footballers son, it was confirmed at the tireless young buck ran all day and was rewarded with the final goal of the afternoon. Clearly the boy's mother had footballing acumen..... :)
A couple of late surges by the opposition who made changes of their own, would threaten keep things interesting, but fine defending by Matt, Dave and Tim in goals would ensure that a clean sheet was kept and that this paragraph would give every player a mention. Probably an appropriate gesture for what was a brilliant all round team performance.
Tim C - 1
Jeremy - 1
Nick - 1
Tommy - 1
Best: Tim C
The Rest: Jeremy, Rod, Daniel, Dave, Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment