Match Report: Thirds Vs RMIT

Sunday 29th April, 2012, Poplar Oval Carlton.

RMIT FC 3 - Central Park 1

Hodgson given goalkeeping selection headache.

With only 12 players on hand, courtesy of two game day fitness test failures, Central Park's task of toppling another younger, fitter and faster edumacated outfit was made that little bit more improbable.

Early on 12 would become 11 as Scott, who'd graciously offered to do his bit and keep despite having a bung hammy, would succumb to the same injury. Coincidentally, 'Scottish-Scott' (say that 6 times fast after a few jars of Belhaven) conceded his place in the side shortly after captain Steve Cresswell 'generously' offered him his England team cap to help shield the rays. A fellow defender who shall not be named Richard Owen or anything similar would be quoted as hearing from Scott: "i should chop off my head before wearing this shite". Ouch!

Enter Colin Brien in between the sticks, who after two weeks of physical punishment as a defender, would surely find refuge in the no. 1 shirt. After a baptism of fire from the RMIT strike force, Colin's fine first half saves were negated when an RMIT buzzard pounced on a rebound for the first goal of the match. 1 nil.

Find of the year, Tim Charters would soon pull back the deficit after a sublime turn from the wrong side of half way, surge forward and release what might've been a fine cross but instead netted a fabulous goal. Tim's brilliant start to the season continues as he eyes off an early contender for the Golden Croc.

1 a piece.

Half time approached in what was a see-sawing battle, when the RMIT winger took advantage of some 'unfortunate' defending resulting in a gift second goal for the homeside. A slunt of a way to end the first half.

"O Captain my Captain" was the opening from recent amputee Scott, followed by his best Walt Whitman/William Wallace (let's just call him WW either way) rendition, as he did his bit from the sideline where he couldn't on the pitch. A stirring speech nonetheless, and one that sparked the lads into action for the second half, typified by a impenetrable offside trap.

With legs at a premium, CP battled their arses off to keep in the game and forced RMIT to make very sure they capitalised on opportunities in front of goal. That said, it was an opportunist effort that would see the southerly gale carry the ball yonder toward the CP goal, allowing a 'surprised' RMIT kid up front to get a shot on goal which kissed the woodwork before an even younger 'freshman' would arrive on the scene, beer-bong in hand, to tap in - Meanwhile the AC defenders were still in the process of meandering back.

  

The game seemingly out of reach, pinch-hitter Richard Owen was thrown the no. 9 Chris Sutton Chelsea shirt. Whilst big Rich would produce similar results to Chris on this occasion, he did manage lay a tackle and do 'something' - two more things than Sutton himself.....

Similar angst and niggle would come from the CP boys, frustrated by the state of play, and desperately in search of win no. 1. The last 20 again showed glimpses of promise for the lads, despite being without result.

A third and final and possibly most impressive goalkeeping change would take place in the unlikely form of Captain Cresswell. Forever showing his versatility, Steve not only kept a clean sheet, but also made Steve O'Grizovich look ordinary and in the words of team mate Mark 'Sparky' Coulter, i quote:  "3 words: Shay-Given-Hollywood"

An undermanned Central Park would go down yet again, and testing times to continue with a bevy of "other footed" (defenders) missing for the next week or so. That said, the enthusiasm remains and a win is getting closer with every week.

Best: Tim C

The Rest: The Rest!