Rd 10 : v Albert Park Spiders
Rd 10 v Albert Park Spiders
Here we were at our favourite ground (if you’re a fan of sand pits, hills and dog cr*p!) versus the best team from our old league Albert Park Spiders, granted they hadn’t fared as well this season but were still a very formidable side, and definitely one to be respected.
The thirds were reasonably buoyant after a good showing the week earlier against Altona, there was banter in the change rooms, even though we were shorter than Sprozzy on a cold day! Skip had been badgering all other coaches for an extra player or two, but none were available, so Leitchy and Hearny had offered to warm the bench just in case.
The Weapon was still away so Leitchy was looking for more points to add to his coaching resume, his team was Skip in goal, Gordo left back, Reuben and Evan in the middle Col on the right, Owen in front of him with Brooksy holding midfield for first time, with Stone attacking, Robbie the Ledge was back from suspension and starting left, with Robbo and G up front pressing the line.. Ammers was on the bench after a 3 week vacation.
We didn’t start well and Spiders were all over us, they were winning the ball quite easily and had a few chances early but had left there shooting boots at home as they were missing the target more than a blind man in a urinal.
The opening goal took about 30 minutes to eventuate with the Spiders captain and best player making a break down our right flank to run at the near post and shoot, Skip was in a good position to punch in towards by line only for their Captain to chase down and square back to a spiders player who was allowed to run through alone, to tap in, but as he made contact Skip had anticipated and covered the shot well, only to see him handle the ball down and tap in again, no MPFC defenders in sight. The Referee ignored the Parkers cries for handball and the goal stood.
After the restart the Parkers got a bit more involved in the match and started holding the ball more and passing around, unfortunately the Spiders made a break down the left flank and had a one on one with our keeper, the Spider finished expertly at the near post. 2-0 down and not playing well, this could turn into a hiding!
Luckily the goal had a good effect on the Parkers and was the kick up the a** we needed! We started holding the ball and passing around well, Owen doing good work on the right with Col, and Brooksy starting to look more comfortable in the middle of the park. Just before the break Robbo had a shot from the right side of the box, the ball was floating to the top corner when their keeper somehow got a hand to it to push it wide!
Halftime and the team talk focussed around the fact the Parkers were winning most of the ball in the air, but doing little with it from there, it was also pointed out that the Spiders were arguing amongst themselves about not retaining the ball, it was an upbeat change room despite being 2-0 down!
Luckily we were playing downhill in the 2nd half so it should be easier!
Parkers kicked off and started to play the best they had all match and started to control the match a little more. Stoney had got a knock early in first half but managed to man up and get back out there, meaning we were unchanged at the start of the half. The Parkers started pressing forward more and were rewarded with a few corners, unfortunately not converting any.
Leitchy decided it was time to unleash our secret weapon, so Brooksy was off and Amrit was on as holding midfielder, anything could happen! Amrit started well and wanted to be involved with everything, so was taking throws and firing in corners.
Our pressure finally paid off and a corner from the right was floated in and a Spiders player obviously got his wires crossed and dribbled the ball into his own net! Now Stoney and Robbo both claim it was the pressure they were putting on him from opposite sides and Amrit will tell you it’s his assist, but that is the same as Helen claiming a goal against Carringbush! It never happened.
The Parkers knew they could salvage a point so kept pressing and pressing which was highly effective as Skip can’t recall any major action in his goal for most of the 2nd half! With about 5 to go we had a golden chance to draw level but unfortunately he couldn’t keep the header low enough to sneak under the cross bar, we had a few more chances but just couldn’t snatch an equaliser.
The final whistle went and while the Parkers were disappointed on not getting any points, we knew we had put in another top effort and if we keep playing like this, the 2nd half of the season will be more profitable!