Sunday 26th August 2012, Central Park Malvern
Central Park 2 - Old Xaverians 4
Rangers prove that they DO play in the second half!
If memory serves me correctly (and it's a memory i don't hold particularly dearly!), our match against 'Xavs' earlier in the year started with Central Park scrambling to get 11 largely disinterested boys on the pitch. Not to harp on it, but those who did show were operating pretty much on the smell of an oily rag (except for the two Steve's). With a warm up consisting of smoking, tits'n'arse banter, arguments over who out of Steve and Steve was the more hung over (for the record, Steve won that one on the technicality of still being pissed) and the nearly impossible task of getting Steve (the drunk one) onto the pitch ala George Best circa 1968 - things seemed inevitable, and were. The match ended with....well, it didn't reach it's end - literally, after a hypersensitive aficionado carried on like the wife in a DV relationship, walking out over Steve's alcoholism....and refusal to vacate "the arena". All this in a half of footballing madness.
Every cloud has it's silver lining though, and from such disastrous adversity came a more 'team' attitude consisting of book keeping, pre-game warm ups and orange eating competitions. Results suddenly improved on the field by the actions off it, and it was this reinvigorated side that Xavs would have to fight off, this time for the full 90 minutes.
And so it was, after that disastrous first round encounter with the hard nuts of Kew, Central Park would redeem themselves as a worthy opponent capable of giving one of the competition powerhouses an almighty scare.
The theory was a simple one: restrict the slick ball movement that previously saw the Central Park defence stretched like their team budget around this time every year. Early on this worked a treat, as the bigger bodies of Nick and Jeremy made life in the centre of the park and absolute no-go zone, forcing Xav's wide in search of space. It was quickly realised that there'd be no easy passage to goal, as a torrid battle on one wing ensued between John and his pass-shy nemesis. That would be short lived, as in true IRA 'eye for an eye' fashion, Colin would go in to bat for John's grievances and more or less 'cap' the bloke and end his afternoon. One more for the Paralympic team i guess.... Das venture South to the opposite flank, and revelation Alex did his thing, linking up with both Jeremy and Daniel in another impressive display.
As a result of the hard work, several chances fell the way of Central Park. Nick firing off one of his trademark bullet's that only just missed it's intended target, as a very nervous second string keeper kept a close eye on Gaz, Alex and Jeremy who threatened regularly.
To their credit Old Xav's persevered, and where they couldn't pass their way through the Central Park defensive line, the silver foxed no. 10 took upon himself to unleash a drive from the half-volley with his back to goal. A recently rested Tim barely saw it, and might've pushed it over the bar had the ball not taken his fingertips with it on it's voyage to goal via the cross bar. An absolute cracker, who the humble forward would proclaim post match that: "it was an accident". Modest git!
So where that goal couldn't be avoided, the next one could've as the Central Park back four assumed an offside flag would be raised. The diminutive Xav's forward couldn't believe his good fortune, and nearly assumed an offside call himself. Instead he coolly slotted the easiest of finishes past an advancing Tim in goals. Soft as custard.
Two goals very much against the run of play had knocked the boys confidence down a peg or two, and suddenly the ensuing panic was allowing Xav's to play their natural game and move the ball around more freely. Corners and badly taken free kicks were the only thing keeping the score unchanged, but even that luck could be pushed only so far. A seemingly rudimentary clearance by John quickly morphed into an absolute peach of a well timed through ball - sadly though it was perfect only for the oncoming Xav's marksman who drilled it into an unguarded net. A shocker for John, who otherwise was having a sensationally dominant game from the back.
Heads dropped and the feeling of de ja vu was beginning to creep into the match. This sick feeling then began to feel like the Hoddle St massacre as shortly after a fourth went in from a corner.
A brilliant opening half hour stooled all over by an atrocious final 15 minutes of the first stanza.
The second half commenced with Central Park knowing full well they were a vastly better team than was reflected on the scoreboard, and certainly a more capable one than the shambolic rabble that fronted up earlier in the season.
I don't think even the most dyed-in-the-wool Rangers tragic could've envisaged a result of any description, let alone a fightback. True to form though, the unpredictability and world class standard of Sunday football threw yet another curve ball as Central Park mounted a challenge.
Steve woke from his first half slumber in setting up endless attacking raids for the Central Park quicks, on one occasion a sleek passing movement looking like going end to end for a goal.
The interchange between Richard Owen and Gaz, who despite a crook back, left nothing in the tank, was confusing for Xavs as it was effective - both going close on several occasions.
Another goal keeper change at the break meant more liability for the visiting side, and it was a complete debacle that provided Central Park with a close range chance thanks to a backpass.
In what was quite possibly the longest drawn out free kick in footballing history. The Xav's captain did his mean-spirited best to hold up play citing "wanting to give the ball to the referee" as grounds for not allowing Central Park to take their free kick. After Steve nearly knocked his block off and then received the stock standard yellow card, he then also layed off the simplest of passes to the hard working Alex who, chillaxed as you like, scored to start the comeback.
Xav's seemed somewhat shocked that they were unable to build on their half time tally, the silence deafening as Stu, quite often resembling a turnstyle ferretted his way around the park and produced regular turn-overs.
Richard Owen would go close a couple of times with his head up front in a quest for his maiden Golden Croc. Whilst down back, Daniel repelled any counter attacks working in well with Kars and Steve.
Another free kick just outside the box presented itself, and stand in keeper or not, Steve wouldn't be denied as a perfectly placed dead ball was curled over and around the wall for a second.
A see-sawing struggle played out with chances falling to both teams, but for the most part Central Park dominating the half whilst camping the inside Old Xavarians own.
Impressive gusto and might shown by the lads from 4 nil down, and surely only divine FFV intervention will save Old Melburnian's at 'the pool table' next Sunday.
Best: Alex
The Rest: Steve, Jeremy, Nick, Daniel
Central Park 2 - Old Xaverians 4
Rangers prove that they DO play in the second half!
If memory serves me correctly (and it's a memory i don't hold particularly dearly!), our match against 'Xavs' earlier in the year started with Central Park scrambling to get 11 largely disinterested boys on the pitch. Not to harp on it, but those who did show were operating pretty much on the smell of an oily rag (except for the two Steve's). With a warm up consisting of smoking, tits'n'arse banter, arguments over who out of Steve and Steve was the more hung over (for the record, Steve won that one on the technicality of still being pissed) and the nearly impossible task of getting Steve (the drunk one) onto the pitch ala George Best circa 1968 - things seemed inevitable, and were. The match ended with....well, it didn't reach it's end - literally, after a hypersensitive aficionado carried on like the wife in a DV relationship, walking out over Steve's alcoholism....and refusal to vacate "the arena". All this in a half of footballing madness.
Every cloud has it's silver lining though, and from such disastrous adversity came a more 'team' attitude consisting of book keeping, pre-game warm ups and orange eating competitions. Results suddenly improved on the field by the actions off it, and it was this reinvigorated side that Xavs would have to fight off, this time for the full 90 minutes.
And so it was, after that disastrous first round encounter with the hard nuts of Kew, Central Park would redeem themselves as a worthy opponent capable of giving one of the competition powerhouses an almighty scare.
The theory was a simple one: restrict the slick ball movement that previously saw the Central Park defence stretched like their team budget around this time every year. Early on this worked a treat, as the bigger bodies of Nick and Jeremy made life in the centre of the park and absolute no-go zone, forcing Xav's wide in search of space. It was quickly realised that there'd be no easy passage to goal, as a torrid battle on one wing ensued between John and his pass-shy nemesis. That would be short lived, as in true IRA 'eye for an eye' fashion, Colin would go in to bat for John's grievances and more or less 'cap' the bloke and end his afternoon. One more for the Paralympic team i guess.... Das venture South to the opposite flank, and revelation Alex did his thing, linking up with both Jeremy and Daniel in another impressive display.
As a result of the hard work, several chances fell the way of Central Park. Nick firing off one of his trademark bullet's that only just missed it's intended target, as a very nervous second string keeper kept a close eye on Gaz, Alex and Jeremy who threatened regularly.
To their credit Old Xav's persevered, and where they couldn't pass their way through the Central Park defensive line, the silver foxed no. 10 took upon himself to unleash a drive from the half-volley with his back to goal. A recently rested Tim barely saw it, and might've pushed it over the bar had the ball not taken his fingertips with it on it's voyage to goal via the cross bar. An absolute cracker, who the humble forward would proclaim post match that: "it was an accident". Modest git!
So where that goal couldn't be avoided, the next one could've as the Central Park back four assumed an offside flag would be raised. The diminutive Xav's forward couldn't believe his good fortune, and nearly assumed an offside call himself. Instead he coolly slotted the easiest of finishes past an advancing Tim in goals. Soft as custard.
Two goals very much against the run of play had knocked the boys confidence down a peg or two, and suddenly the ensuing panic was allowing Xav's to play their natural game and move the ball around more freely. Corners and badly taken free kicks were the only thing keeping the score unchanged, but even that luck could be pushed only so far. A seemingly rudimentary clearance by John quickly morphed into an absolute peach of a well timed through ball - sadly though it was perfect only for the oncoming Xav's marksman who drilled it into an unguarded net. A shocker for John, who otherwise was having a sensationally dominant game from the back.
Heads dropped and the feeling of de ja vu was beginning to creep into the match. This sick feeling then began to feel like the Hoddle St massacre as shortly after a fourth went in from a corner.
A brilliant opening half hour stooled all over by an atrocious final 15 minutes of the first stanza.
The second half commenced with Central Park knowing full well they were a vastly better team than was reflected on the scoreboard, and certainly a more capable one than the shambolic rabble that fronted up earlier in the season.
I don't think even the most dyed-in-the-wool Rangers tragic could've envisaged a result of any description, let alone a fightback. True to form though, the unpredictability and world class standard of Sunday football threw yet another curve ball as Central Park mounted a challenge.
Steve woke from his first half slumber in setting up endless attacking raids for the Central Park quicks, on one occasion a sleek passing movement looking like going end to end for a goal.
The interchange between Richard Owen and Gaz, who despite a crook back, left nothing in the tank, was confusing for Xavs as it was effective - both going close on several occasions.
Another goal keeper change at the break meant more liability for the visiting side, and it was a complete debacle that provided Central Park with a close range chance thanks to a backpass.
In what was quite possibly the longest drawn out free kick in footballing history. The Xav's captain did his mean-spirited best to hold up play citing "wanting to give the ball to the referee" as grounds for not allowing Central Park to take their free kick. After Steve nearly knocked his block off and then received the stock standard yellow card, he then also layed off the simplest of passes to the hard working Alex who, chillaxed as you like, scored to start the comeback.
Xav's seemed somewhat shocked that they were unable to build on their half time tally, the silence deafening as Stu, quite often resembling a turnstyle ferretted his way around the park and produced regular turn-overs.
Richard Owen would go close a couple of times with his head up front in a quest for his maiden Golden Croc. Whilst down back, Daniel repelled any counter attacks working in well with Kars and Steve.
Another free kick just outside the box presented itself, and stand in keeper or not, Steve wouldn't be denied as a perfectly placed dead ball was curled over and around the wall for a second.
A see-sawing struggle played out with chances falling to both teams, but for the most part Central Park dominating the half whilst camping the inside Old Xavarians own.
Impressive gusto and might shown by the lads from 4 nil down, and surely only divine FFV intervention will save Old Melburnian's at 'the pool table' next Sunday.
Best: Alex
The Rest: Steve, Jeremy, Nick, Daniel
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