Central Park Vs Clifton Hill/South Yarra/Fitzroy/Middle Park
Central Park break even on goal difference
Long time between match reports so this is a four in one - apologies for factual inaccuracies.
Back in June as we vied for top spot we laid on the sun and firm ground for the game against Clifton Hill at the Fortress. (Greek Easter and some good work behind the scenes meant we technically beat them 3-0 in our opening round)
Our passing game was as bright as the conditions and we were soon carving Clifton Hill open all over the park - Pete and Joe rampaging down the flanks. Up front Batesy and Lars had chances, only denied by the woodwork and the keeper.
It seemed like only a matter of time before we would score but against the run of play Clifton Hill's classy duo up front did the damage with a quality first goal.
Despite creating about four shots to every one of theirs we were still down 1-0 at half time.
At the back we restricted them all day with debutant John Rovas looking like an old pro with the Big Fella.
The shots rained in as Lars continued to torment the Hillers and Gerard, Klotzy and Dave Neal all went close as we pushed for the equaliser but to no avail.
With a cruel twist a chip from 25 yards out and only their third effort on target for the day gave Clifton Hill a 2-0 win.
One of our best performances of the season apart from our finishing and would have deserved to reverse the scoreline.
In a bid to prove that money can't buy everything Fawkner Park served up the worst pitch we've played on all season. Even after our brief warm up routines (ie walking to the pitch) our usually pristine white hosiery was ruined as we waded ankle deep in mud to the centre circle.
In full waders the boys from Yarra looked confident, especially with a gaggle of subs they must have sensed our one sub approach may not have been the way to go.
As we slid about the park and all looked for high ground Yarra took full advantage of the conditions. For all their bluster only a generous own goal gave them the lead which was then added to when the ref suspended the off-side rule for their second goal.
Stung into action and finally coming to grips with the mud bath we then had the best of the next half hour and before half time had pulled one back when Klotzy played a brilliant through ball for Lars to run onto from thirty yards out and with familiar quality slid past the keeper from just inside the box - classic CPR, 2-1 at half time.
With confidence buoyed and Robb's reconstructed knee taking all the punishment asked of it we set about Yarra.
We camped in Yarra's half and finally broke through as a third successive corner was floated in to the near post for Mike Burnside (yes he's back) to score with a brilliant header - Andy Carroll eat yer heart out.
What happened next was a mystery on the day and hopefully with time and red wine will disappear from the memory banks altogether but in the space of 15 minutes we were 6-2 down having hit the post at 2-2, c'est la vie
CPR spirit never gives up and Lars earned a penalty - defender claiming a two handed push in the chest is allowable??? Capping a virtuoso day Rand tucked away the penalty for 6-3
Tough day, especially for Kostas who was man of the match and Ant who put his body on the line despite his injuries.
With our title challenge waning it was back to the Fortress for the visit of reigning champions Fitzroy. After losing the away leg 8-0 we were keen to do better and did - sort of.
We welcomed Niall into the Club and slotted him into the middle of the Park and what a treat it must have been to watch Fitzroy dance around us. It took a ripper from the edge of the box to finally get one past Kostas though.
By half time Fitzroy's total football and a couple of fortunate goals saw us 5-0 down despite a stellar game from the Big Fella
More of the same in the second half until our superior stamina kicked in and Dave Neal beat the off-side trap, galloped away and tucked in what would have been the winner but for the ten goals Fitzroy had already racked up.
On the plus side we get to play them again in August and I fancy our chances.
Finally to the pits - yes the away game against Middle Park.
Beautiful day, good pitch and our numbers swelled to 10 at kick-off with Bill and Michael putting their bodies on the line for the CPR cause.
With five across the back, two in the middle and two up front fair to say we were looking to hold out until the Eltham express (ie. Klotzy en route from Noah's morning match) arrived to make us up to the full 11.
Brilliant defensive effort almost came off with Kostas and the defence soaking up wave after wave of attacks the 1-0 half time deficit was a fair accomplishment.
Having basked in the luxury of having 11 players on the pitch for a good ten minutes either side of half time friendly fire saw Lars hobble to the sidelines.
We still held our own until the last 10 minutes when the floodgates opened and Middle Park sealed a deserved win. On the plus side we had more shots than they scored goals so could have won.
As an added incentive these are the four sides we will play for a third time later this season so 12 points beckon.
So with top spot seemingly out of reach this weekend is the Derby with Ashy.
Go CPR
Central Park break even on goal difference
Long time between match reports so this is a four in one - apologies for factual inaccuracies.
Back in June as we vied for top spot we laid on the sun and firm ground for the game against Clifton Hill at the Fortress. (Greek Easter and some good work behind the scenes meant we technically beat them 3-0 in our opening round)
Our passing game was as bright as the conditions and we were soon carving Clifton Hill open all over the park - Pete and Joe rampaging down the flanks. Up front Batesy and Lars had chances, only denied by the woodwork and the keeper.
It seemed like only a matter of time before we would score but against the run of play Clifton Hill's classy duo up front did the damage with a quality first goal.
Despite creating about four shots to every one of theirs we were still down 1-0 at half time.
At the back we restricted them all day with debutant John Rovas looking like an old pro with the Big Fella.
The shots rained in as Lars continued to torment the Hillers and Gerard, Klotzy and Dave Neal all went close as we pushed for the equaliser but to no avail.
With a cruel twist a chip from 25 yards out and only their third effort on target for the day gave Clifton Hill a 2-0 win.
One of our best performances of the season apart from our finishing and would have deserved to reverse the scoreline.
In a bid to prove that money can't buy everything Fawkner Park served up the worst pitch we've played on all season. Even after our brief warm up routines (ie walking to the pitch) our usually pristine white hosiery was ruined as we waded ankle deep in mud to the centre circle.
In full waders the boys from Yarra looked confident, especially with a gaggle of subs they must have sensed our one sub approach may not have been the way to go.
As we slid about the park and all looked for high ground Yarra took full advantage of the conditions. For all their bluster only a generous own goal gave them the lead which was then added to when the ref suspended the off-side rule for their second goal.
Stung into action and finally coming to grips with the mud bath we then had the best of the next half hour and before half time had pulled one back when Klotzy played a brilliant through ball for Lars to run onto from thirty yards out and with familiar quality slid past the keeper from just inside the box - classic CPR, 2-1 at half time.
With confidence buoyed and Robb's reconstructed knee taking all the punishment asked of it we set about Yarra.
We camped in Yarra's half and finally broke through as a third successive corner was floated in to the near post for Mike Burnside (yes he's back) to score with a brilliant header - Andy Carroll eat yer heart out.
What happened next was a mystery on the day and hopefully with time and red wine will disappear from the memory banks altogether but in the space of 15 minutes we were 6-2 down having hit the post at 2-2, c'est la vie
CPR spirit never gives up and Lars earned a penalty - defender claiming a two handed push in the chest is allowable??? Capping a virtuoso day Rand tucked away the penalty for 6-3
Tough day, especially for Kostas who was man of the match and Ant who put his body on the line despite his injuries.
With our title challenge waning it was back to the Fortress for the visit of reigning champions Fitzroy. After losing the away leg 8-0 we were keen to do better and did - sort of.
We welcomed Niall into the Club and slotted him into the middle of the Park and what a treat it must have been to watch Fitzroy dance around us. It took a ripper from the edge of the box to finally get one past Kostas though.
By half time Fitzroy's total football and a couple of fortunate goals saw us 5-0 down despite a stellar game from the Big Fella
More of the same in the second half until our superior stamina kicked in and Dave Neal beat the off-side trap, galloped away and tucked in what would have been the winner but for the ten goals Fitzroy had already racked up.
On the plus side we get to play them again in August and I fancy our chances.
Finally to the pits - yes the away game against Middle Park.
Beautiful day, good pitch and our numbers swelled to 10 at kick-off with Bill and Michael putting their bodies on the line for the CPR cause.
With five across the back, two in the middle and two up front fair to say we were looking to hold out until the Eltham express (ie. Klotzy en route from Noah's morning match) arrived to make us up to the full 11.
Brilliant defensive effort almost came off with Kostas and the defence soaking up wave after wave of attacks the 1-0 half time deficit was a fair accomplishment.
Having basked in the luxury of having 11 players on the pitch for a good ten minutes either side of half time friendly fire saw Lars hobble to the sidelines.
We still held our own until the last 10 minutes when the floodgates opened and Middle Park sealed a deserved win. On the plus side we had more shots than they scored goals so could have won.
As an added incentive these are the four sides we will play for a third time later this season so 12 points beckon.
So with top spot seemingly out of reach this weekend is the Derby with Ashy.
Go CPR
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