Sunday 14th July 2013, Central Park Malvern
Central Park 1 - Bayside 2
Aussies robbed by umpiring gaff!
We all know was the story of the 1st Ashes test, but who'd have thought Rangers would suffer a similar fate at the hands of a referee renowned for his 'generosity'. More on that in a bit.
Bleary eyed from a Saturday night glued to the box isn't such an anomaly for the lads. But this week it was cricket that replaced the boy's usual penchance for French 'nature' flicks made famous by the owls at SBS.
The lack of sleep procured from the totally unsuitable time of the Ashes was the change room talking point - "Was he out, was he in?" Then again that could've been the SBS feature.....
So would the level of interest from Ranger's cosmopolitan blend of British expats and true blue Aussie's take full effect on the match against the Argonauts?
An early morning 'corns and tinea' flavored text message would detail Rods late withdrawal, dashing Richard Owen's hopes of returning from paternity leave into the striker role. With not much change from 14ft of height between them, he and Rowland would instead form an intimating twin tower-ship (is that even a word!? well it is now) at the back.
Following a warm up consisting of rice farming/puddle irrigation as his warm-up, midfielder....wait, wait, sorry 'centre forward', Alex Bradbeer, started with a bang up front and was well supported by B-Loh (that's your nickname now Brian, be grateful - it could've been "Blow").
Defying the greasy conditions, Rangers were as decisive as as a Stuart Broad edge, and as slick and audacious as his refusal to walk, their short passing game keeping things motoring along nicely in the opening half hour. Petrakos controlled the flanks in both defense and attack, totally owning his more diminutive opponent as he and Ian worked beautifully in tandem.
Then came a Bayside masterstroke as they unleashed their 'black widow' of a secret weapon. Totally tang-liscious (and probably what the British ex-pats would call "a page 3 girl"), the ever helpful yet completely helpless Bayside WAG had all distracted with her impressive football retrieving enthusiasm and colourful sideline banter droll enough to make a wharfie blush.
It was just moments after a promising Rangers attacking movement was snuffed out by the Bayside keeper, the no. 1 hoofed the ball long into an advantageous breeze. Das venture south to the other end of the pitch stood Tim in goals, quite possibly preaching an in-depth explanation of post-modernism and cultural tendencies, in a pathetic attempt to flirt with and tune the aforementioned Bayside WAG. Meanwhile the ball finally hit the turf, bouncing just inside the 18 yard box and over an out of position, and very much hamstrung, Ranger's keeper. In she went for the opener, one keepers nightmare making another's dream come true. The WAG had played her part nicely, and squealed with delight. 1 nil Bayside.
As Tim wiped the yolk from his face, the lads regrouped and kept on fighting hard, limiting Bayside to mostly long range shots only, that the Rangers keeper was able to repel. A post-corner goalmouth scramble then ensued and another shot fired perfectly, this time though, it was Tim of the Charters variety who saved brilliantly off his line via the head.
Stu replaced a tiring Kars in the uncustomary position of right-back and did very well (apparently he doesn't like being referred to as a 'utility'!!!). Meanwhile, Tom Davies managed to drag his school holidaying derriere out of bed and made an immediate impact in causing all sorts of chaos up the right wing.
The half grew old, and the players on both sides tired and a bit cranky. So too the ref i dare say - evidenced by the barrage of yellow cards suddenly being dished out for breathing in the wrong direction. Little did we know this was just the start of things to come (although i DID warn the lads about his displeasure at 'weekend work' prior to kick off).
With things winding down, Rowland did his best provide one more moments entertainment for the sodden crowd. A sweeping Bayside run down the left followed by a cross that Rowland unfortunately got his big meaty duke in the way of. Tim's reputation in the face of penalties stood firm, as the free was capitalised from the spot. 2 nil at the break.
The sight of one their better players pulling up stumps (apparently a gremlin, aversion to water?) seemed to lift team morale at the break and talk was good. So good in fact, that Richard Owen's famous orange laced Czechoslovakian silver platter sat untouched in the rooms! (2 kids under five, a month old new born, a full time job, restumping of the house and we STILL couldn't show our appreciation for Rich going the 'extra mile' for the team - sorry mate).
Bayside started the second half the stronger, clearly intent on icing the match early, and intent on a post match snack - no doubt having spied Rich's uneaten navels (that just doesn't sound right does it?). Alex B and Ed had other ideas though, and quickly went about wrestling the momentum Ranger's way in a hard and determined display both should be proud of.
On the back of such leadership, Rangers locked down on Bayside as best they could. A Red Bull charged Tom danced around older and bigger Bayside lads, with Jeremy on hand to provide back up and regular support play.
Under a heap of pressure, Alex B wouldn't be denied and took his chance from another surge forward as Rangers finally pulled one back.
The tempo of the game lifted, a nervous Bayside back four not mucking around as they attempted to clear the ball out of their own half with searching long passes. Smelling Argonaut jocks, Charters and Jeremy upped the ante and drove in even harder, testing the whistle baring cranky-pants' patience on more than one occasion.
And then the moment we all feared came....Those enjoying a great contest could only watch on pity as a shocker of a red card was dished Charters' way. A second yellow, and if possible i reckon a third would've been flashed Tim's way for the gobful he returned fire with.
Central Park's most potent weapon banished to the sideline, not that being down a man discouraged the lads any. Ed roared at the troops to lift a notch, as he covered territory somewhere between attacking midfield and fortress-like defense - probably both. Stirring stuff!
When Tom Davies struck the cross bar, even the Bayside WAG lost her voice, as hearts went in mouths. But it wasn't to be, and as close as Rangers would come to a (much deserved) equaliser.
Honorable loss doesn't cut it, but 'unlucky losers' sure does.
Best: Alex B/Ed
The Rest: Stu, Ian
Central Park 1 - Bayside 2
Aussies robbed by umpiring gaff!
We all know was the story of the 1st Ashes test, but who'd have thought Rangers would suffer a similar fate at the hands of a referee renowned for his 'generosity'. More on that in a bit.
Bleary eyed from a Saturday night glued to the box isn't such an anomaly for the lads. But this week it was cricket that replaced the boy's usual penchance for French 'nature' flicks made famous by the owls at SBS.
The lack of sleep procured from the totally unsuitable time of the Ashes was the change room talking point - "Was he out, was he in?" Then again that could've been the SBS feature.....
So would the level of interest from Ranger's cosmopolitan blend of British expats and true blue Aussie's take full effect on the match against the Argonauts?
An early morning 'corns and tinea' flavored text message would detail Rods late withdrawal, dashing Richard Owen's hopes of returning from paternity leave into the striker role. With not much change from 14ft of height between them, he and Rowland would instead form an intimating twin tower-ship (is that even a word!? well it is now) at the back.
Following a warm up consisting of rice farming/puddle irrigation as his warm-up, midfielder....wait, wait, sorry 'centre forward', Alex Bradbeer, started with a bang up front and was well supported by B-Loh (that's your nickname now Brian, be grateful - it could've been "Blow").
Defying the greasy conditions, Rangers were as decisive as as a Stuart Broad edge, and as slick and audacious as his refusal to walk, their short passing game keeping things motoring along nicely in the opening half hour. Petrakos controlled the flanks in both defense and attack, totally owning his more diminutive opponent as he and Ian worked beautifully in tandem.
Then came a Bayside masterstroke as they unleashed their 'black widow' of a secret weapon. Totally tang-liscious (and probably what the British ex-pats would call "a page 3 girl"), the ever helpful yet completely helpless Bayside WAG had all distracted with her impressive football retrieving enthusiasm and colourful sideline banter droll enough to make a wharfie blush.
It was just moments after a promising Rangers attacking movement was snuffed out by the Bayside keeper, the no. 1 hoofed the ball long into an advantageous breeze. Das venture south to the other end of the pitch stood Tim in goals, quite possibly preaching an in-depth explanation of post-modernism and cultural tendencies, in a pathetic attempt to flirt with and tune the aforementioned Bayside WAG. Meanwhile the ball finally hit the turf, bouncing just inside the 18 yard box and over an out of position, and very much hamstrung, Ranger's keeper. In she went for the opener, one keepers nightmare making another's dream come true. The WAG had played her part nicely, and squealed with delight. 1 nil Bayside.
As Tim wiped the yolk from his face, the lads regrouped and kept on fighting hard, limiting Bayside to mostly long range shots only, that the Rangers keeper was able to repel. A post-corner goalmouth scramble then ensued and another shot fired perfectly, this time though, it was Tim of the Charters variety who saved brilliantly off his line via the head.
Stu replaced a tiring Kars in the uncustomary position of right-back and did very well (apparently he doesn't like being referred to as a 'utility'!!!). Meanwhile, Tom Davies managed to drag his school holidaying derriere out of bed and made an immediate impact in causing all sorts of chaos up the right wing.
The half grew old, and the players on both sides tired and a bit cranky. So too the ref i dare say - evidenced by the barrage of yellow cards suddenly being dished out for breathing in the wrong direction. Little did we know this was just the start of things to come (although i DID warn the lads about his displeasure at 'weekend work' prior to kick off).
With things winding down, Rowland did his best provide one more moments entertainment for the sodden crowd. A sweeping Bayside run down the left followed by a cross that Rowland unfortunately got his big meaty duke in the way of. Tim's reputation in the face of penalties stood firm, as the free was capitalised from the spot. 2 nil at the break.
The sight of one their better players pulling up stumps (apparently a gremlin, aversion to water?) seemed to lift team morale at the break and talk was good. So good in fact, that Richard Owen's famous orange laced Czechoslovakian silver platter sat untouched in the rooms! (2 kids under five, a month old new born, a full time job, restumping of the house and we STILL couldn't show our appreciation for Rich going the 'extra mile' for the team - sorry mate).
Bayside started the second half the stronger, clearly intent on icing the match early, and intent on a post match snack - no doubt having spied Rich's uneaten navels (that just doesn't sound right does it?). Alex B and Ed had other ideas though, and quickly went about wrestling the momentum Ranger's way in a hard and determined display both should be proud of.
On the back of such leadership, Rangers locked down on Bayside as best they could. A Red Bull charged Tom danced around older and bigger Bayside lads, with Jeremy on hand to provide back up and regular support play.
Under a heap of pressure, Alex B wouldn't be denied and took his chance from another surge forward as Rangers finally pulled one back.
The tempo of the game lifted, a nervous Bayside back four not mucking around as they attempted to clear the ball out of their own half with searching long passes. Smelling Argonaut jocks, Charters and Jeremy upped the ante and drove in even harder, testing the whistle baring cranky-pants' patience on more than one occasion.
And then the moment we all feared came....Those enjoying a great contest could only watch on pity as a shocker of a red card was dished Charters' way. A second yellow, and if possible i reckon a third would've been flashed Tim's way for the gobful he returned fire with.
Central Park's most potent weapon banished to the sideline, not that being down a man discouraged the lads any. Ed roared at the troops to lift a notch, as he covered territory somewhere between attacking midfield and fortress-like defense - probably both. Stirring stuff!
When Tom Davies struck the cross bar, even the Bayside WAG lost her voice, as hearts went in mouths. But it wasn't to be, and as close as Rangers would come to a (much deserved) equaliser.
Honorable loss doesn't cut it, but 'unlucky losers' sure does.
Best: Alex B/Ed
The Rest: Stu, Ian
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