Sunday 17th June 2012, Central Park Malvern
JC can shove his meagre offering of bread and fish squarely where it fits, as Central Park and a resilient Old Melburnians instead delivered a feast of goals in conditions more likened to parting of the seas than a footballing goal-fest.
On the back of successive losses, Central Park were using their mid-year sabbatical to lick their wounds and have a long hard look at themselves. An open 'dear john' letter to the boys from team management demanding more was sobering enough. The deduction of 3 precious competition points the ultimate kick in the knackers, and a double whammy for Captain Cresswell who bookended that with a one match ban.
Steely focused, the lads matched OM's impressive pre-match warm up with enthusiasm of their own, led by spiritual leader Mario. Fulfilling his promise to complete the dreaded 'bookwork', Armani-clad Nick dashed to the ground from work, having dished out Section 32's faster than an auctioneer can say "renovators dream".
A spirited energy simmered through the Central Park rooms, as finally it was proven that a decent warm up and game preparation could be easily achieved. Whilst the calming hand of god (Daniel) quietly prayed in the corner for the team's fortunes and the usual game plan discussion took place led by Rod, football talk was suddenly replaced by dollar signs in the eyes of the lads, and three propaganda-fuelled words: "Reward: find Kony". Alas it was a false alarm and merely graduates of the George Weah footballing academy arriving for their match on the adjacent ground. Good guys, dud footballers though.
With their mind well the and truly back on the job, Central Park started the better, the warm up game of 'keepings off' continuing into the match proper. Difficult conditions didn't affect the lads, as Old Melburnians - at a similar end of the ladder, hunted out possession. Their perseverance started to play dividends with CP boxed into their own half. As the rain finally started to tumble, Central Park's 'quarterback', Mario, found himself gifting the most unfortunate of wayward headers into the path of a zippy OM who ran at Tim and unmarked and finished sweetly, 1 nil.
With Pricey *cough* Steve, and big Richard Owen detoxing/sobering up on the pine, Central Park then brought in the two with immediate results. Rich came within a Wales V Wallabies penalty goal (ouch!) of finishing off a free kick, his first touch for the match a glancing header that nearly found the net. Steve, sensing detection from the FFV brethren (who's late night card games and light beer swilling competitions are said to be 'off the chain'), started the match coyly but quickly found his groove. Tim C racked up his usual amount of carry and now found himself linking up with Steve out wide. A slick ball movement finishing with Tom skipping round his umpteenth opponent nearly bore fruit, and less than a minute later a nearly identical play secured the equaliser. Great vision was made by Steve, who had rolled up in full fancy dress as Pricey (seems he took things quite literally when we told him "you're playing as Pricey today"). A peach of a pass found a rampaging Tim C who dragged the ball wide and slotted a dangerous low pass across the face of goal where man mountain Nick was on hand to bury his first of the afternoon past a hapless keeper.
With order restored and the cold rain doing it's best work, a corner from Tim C was sent hard and fast toward the OM keeper, who, in his defense was possibly suffering concussion from Nick's canon aimed at him earlier. A double fisted punch that his nemesis in the opposing goal would be proud of, was executed, and sound contact of leather on synthetic was made. Unfortunately though - in completely the wrong direction, netting Central Park's second and the lead. Tim C, the cheeky little bastard, ran around celebrating the goal as a shot, and i suppose we'll give him the benefit of the doubt as there was no more deserving player on the park to score.
Now, i'll confess to a little back of the boardroom "should we or shouldn't we?" chatter that took place concerning the inclusion of Steve Cresswell in the side this week. Does he honor the week off gifted by the FFV, and hope the team shape up as a result, or do we let him make it up to the team and allow his footballing ability do the talking? In a rock's or diamonds flip of the coin, and under the influence of a 'breakfast' cooked by Pricey (don't ask), Steve unleashed a venomous strike from outside the box that has cycling's governing body requesting a urine sample, and more impressively, a shot that nearly took the keepers head off - that's if he saw it to get near it. 3 - 1 at the break, and Central Park well on top.
A buoyant mood consumed the Central Park camp at the break, courtesy of the impressive scoreboard - though i beg to differ and put it down to the replenished energy levels courtesy of Gaz's mum. I'm told Gaz's "no. 1 fan" got up extra early Sunday morning to prepare a vitamin packed half time snack for the boys that showcased more fruit than Oxford St on Mardi Gras night. You rock Mrs. Tucker!
With the wind in their sail, Central Park bounced out looking to put the result beyond doubt and a 4th goal came quickly, once again fine passing work through the midfield freeing up Tom who attracted more than a couple of defenders, before zigging, zagging and laying off to Nick once again who was having a picnic. Once more he pulled trigger for his second, and left the keeper on his arse.
A Plucky OM refused to lie down and kept coming, a highly dubious penalty (more outside the box than in) giving them a sniff, before Richard 'pinch hitter' Owen got his scone on the end of a loose ball and headed into an unguarded net to keep the difference to 3.
When the referee then deemed another hard tackle to be penalty-worthy, it really did seem he was all about a high scoring game. Once again, OM finished truly from the spot. Central Park pressed on despite the comfortable lead, a necessity given OM's refusal to lie down - an impressive quality for a team on the end of some real shellackings this season. Dave and Rod keeping things honest at the back, and Tim N getting no more than a pinkie onto a long range rocket that found the post.
Tim C, who'd destroyed all before him all day was again in on the action, ducking and weaving before callously being brought down just inside the box. Nick stepped up and fittingly rammed home the penalty claiming his maiden hat trick and the match ball. A fine way to close the deal on the sale of yet another Moorrabin West mansion.
A week is a long time in football. Yes, a stronger side this week but an even stronger will to compete and win, courtesy of an improved attitude. I know i enjoyed the day - let's keep the good times rolling.
Best: Nick
The Rest: Tim C, Steve, Tom, Rod, Dave
Central Park 6 - Old Melburnians 3
Forbidden fruit, the presence of a wise Christian and a phoenix rising from the ashes - who says Sunday isn't the 'holy day'?!
On the back of successive losses, Central Park were using their mid-year sabbatical to lick their wounds and have a long hard look at themselves. An open 'dear john' letter to the boys from team management demanding more was sobering enough. The deduction of 3 precious competition points the ultimate kick in the knackers, and a double whammy for Captain Cresswell who bookended that with a one match ban.
Steely focused, the lads matched OM's impressive pre-match warm up with enthusiasm of their own, led by spiritual leader Mario. Fulfilling his promise to complete the dreaded 'bookwork', Armani-clad Nick dashed to the ground from work, having dished out Section 32's faster than an auctioneer can say "renovators dream".
 |
A spirited energy simmered through the Central Park rooms, as finally it was proven that a decent warm up and game preparation could be easily achieved. Whilst the calming hand of god (Daniel) quietly prayed in the corner for the team's fortunes and the usual game plan discussion took place led by Rod, football talk was suddenly replaced by dollar signs in the eyes of the lads, and three propaganda-fuelled words: "Reward: find Kony". Alas it was a false alarm and merely graduates of the George Weah footballing academy arriving for their match on the adjacent ground. Good guys, dud footballers though.
 |
| (Size matters: it wasn't just the girth of their 'weaponary' that had Central Park feeling a tad inadequate about baring all in a change room with Clarinda FC) |
With their mind well the and truly back on the job, Central Park started the better, the warm up game of 'keepings off' continuing into the match proper. Difficult conditions didn't affect the lads, as Old Melburnians - at a similar end of the ladder, hunted out possession. Their perseverance started to play dividends with CP boxed into their own half. As the rain finally started to tumble, Central Park's 'quarterback', Mario, found himself gifting the most unfortunate of wayward headers into the path of a zippy OM who ran at Tim and unmarked and finished sweetly, 1 nil.
With Pricey *cough* Steve, and big Richard Owen detoxing/sobering up on the pine, Central Park then brought in the two with immediate results. Rich came within a Wales V Wallabies penalty goal (ouch!) of finishing off a free kick, his first touch for the match a glancing header that nearly found the net. Steve, sensing detection from the FFV brethren (who's late night card games and light beer swilling competitions are said to be 'off the chain'), started the match coyly but quickly found his groove. Tim C racked up his usual amount of carry and now found himself linking up with Steve out wide. A slick ball movement finishing with Tom skipping round his umpteenth opponent nearly bore fruit, and less than a minute later a nearly identical play secured the equaliser. Great vision was made by Steve, who had rolled up in full fancy dress as Pricey (seems he took things quite literally when we told him "you're playing as Pricey today"). A peach of a pass found a rampaging Tim C who dragged the ball wide and slotted a dangerous low pass across the face of goal where man mountain Nick was on hand to bury his first of the afternoon past a hapless keeper.
With order restored and the cold rain doing it's best work, a corner from Tim C was sent hard and fast toward the OM keeper, who, in his defense was possibly suffering concussion from Nick's canon aimed at him earlier. A double fisted punch that his nemesis in the opposing goal would be proud of, was executed, and sound contact of leather on synthetic was made. Unfortunately though - in completely the wrong direction, netting Central Park's second and the lead. Tim C, the cheeky little bastard, ran around celebrating the goal as a shot, and i suppose we'll give him the benefit of the doubt as there was no more deserving player on the park to score.
Now, i'll confess to a little back of the boardroom "should we or shouldn't we?" chatter that took place concerning the inclusion of Steve Cresswell in the side this week. Does he honor the week off gifted by the FFV, and hope the team shape up as a result, or do we let him make it up to the team and allow his footballing ability do the talking? In a rock's or diamonds flip of the coin, and under the influence of a 'breakfast' cooked by Pricey (don't ask), Steve unleashed a venomous strike from outside the box that has cycling's governing body requesting a urine sample, and more impressively, a shot that nearly took the keepers head off - that's if he saw it to get near it. 3 - 1 at the break, and Central Park well on top.
A buoyant mood consumed the Central Park camp at the break, courtesy of the impressive scoreboard - though i beg to differ and put it down to the replenished energy levels courtesy of Gaz's mum. I'm told Gaz's "no. 1 fan" got up extra early Sunday morning to prepare a vitamin packed half time snack for the boys that showcased more fruit than Oxford St on Mardi Gras night. You rock Mrs. Tucker!
With the wind in their sail, Central Park bounced out looking to put the result beyond doubt and a 4th goal came quickly, once again fine passing work through the midfield freeing up Tom who attracted more than a couple of defenders, before zigging, zagging and laying off to Nick once again who was having a picnic. Once more he pulled trigger for his second, and left the keeper on his arse.
A Plucky OM refused to lie down and kept coming, a highly dubious penalty (more outside the box than in) giving them a sniff, before Richard 'pinch hitter' Owen got his scone on the end of a loose ball and headed into an unguarded net to keep the difference to 3.
When the referee then deemed another hard tackle to be penalty-worthy, it really did seem he was all about a high scoring game. Once again, OM finished truly from the spot. Central Park pressed on despite the comfortable lead, a necessity given OM's refusal to lie down - an impressive quality for a team on the end of some real shellackings this season. Dave and Rod keeping things honest at the back, and Tim N getting no more than a pinkie onto a long range rocket that found the post.
Tim C, who'd destroyed all before him all day was again in on the action, ducking and weaving before callously being brought down just inside the box. Nick stepped up and fittingly rammed home the penalty claiming his maiden hat trick and the match ball. A fine way to close the deal on the sale of yet another Moorrabin West mansion.
A week is a long time in football. Yes, a stronger side this week but an even stronger will to compete and win, courtesy of an improved attitude. I know i enjoyed the day - let's keep the good times rolling.
Best: Nick
The Rest: Tim C, Steve, Tom, Rod, Dave
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