Middle Park Football Club

PRINCES PARK, PARKVILLE.

 MIDDLE PARK F.C V PERU UNITED

Middle Park 2 - 0 Peru United

Scorers: Jason Hart, Wayne Helena

Line Up: Brian D, JF, Barry D, Dave M, Martin G (Mark S), Mick F, Jon A, Ian S, Carl T (Mark Stone), Jason H, Wayne H.

The Parkers coming off a great win last week against Albert Park, were in high spirits despite the miserable weather and late arrival of Star Striker Ian Saddler who had decided to drive around Princes Park a couple times to calm his nerves.

MPFC took to the field hoping to start the way they had finished a week earlier but the first 15 minutes were uncharacteristically shaky due to the heavy wind blowing across the pitch and some fancy footwork from Peru United. Under the early pressure JF and the back-line stood firm.

Midway through the half the Parkers started stringing some good passes together by keeping the ball on the deck and spreading it wide. Some holes were beginning to appear in the Peru back-line.

Around the 35th minute mark, Wayne (coming back from a shoulder injury), laid the ball to Ian on the left who skinned a couple players before a dodgy foul brought him down. Micky Furness being alert, took a quick free kick and floated a deep ball to the far post where Jason caught the ball on his nose or was it his eye, coulda been his mouth or all three, point being it went in the net.

Half-time 1-0.

After a stern talk during the half-time break from Jimmy, in his words "You are playing Shit", put a spring back in the Parkers step. The second half started at a fast pace and it seemed the only way Peru were going to slow it down was to put in some heavy tackles. At this point Marty (the dirtiest player in the MPFC and often called "the thug" by his opponents), decided to level the playing fields and put in his trade mark shin-breaker challenge. Marty received another Yellow Card to add to his half dozen or so this season. The Parkers had received a few cautions but the referee seemed reluctant to reach to his back pocket for any Peru infringement.

This was even more emphasised when Micky received a rough tackle, got up and for a second thought he was Paulo de Canio when he was floored by a firm push to the chest. The United player should have received at least a card but the referee ended up booking another player instead.

JF, Barry, Dave and John all started returning some hard but fair tackles which left the opposition whimpering. Mark Scotney on for Marty started too create some havoc down the right flank with some pace, reminiscent of a greyhound down the back straight. He created some good chances by carving up everything in front of him and delivered some great balls across the face of goal. Dave came close with a header and the Parkers could sense the second goal wasn't far away. Mark S picked up the ball on the right flank skinned 3 or 4 players and banged a perfect low cross for Wayne to hammer in at the back post. Great cross, great goal! The score now 2-0, just the cushion MPFC needed.

Due to the lack of control from the referee, the game became very scrappy.

There were one or two nutmegs or attempted nutmegs that added a bit of flair to the afternoon. Not to mention the odd chirp from Nick T from the side-line. Full-time 2-0.

Not the greatest football the Parkers have played this season but with a 2-0 victory and 3 points in the bag, the title looks certain.

Special mention to John Alston who played his last game this season. John has been an integral part of MPFC success this season. Enjoy your holiday back home mate.

Carl Thomas