The late Bobby Robson was once quoted as saying “The first ninety minutes are the most important”, but for the now iconic AC Malvern, the last ninety minutes (of the season) was the most important. A win and a result going the right way would see the lads of AC finish the season in an unexpected fourth spot. This would be El Classico, a battle of the giants between AC in sixth and Sandy in fifth. A win was a must for both teams.
The FFV must have known how important this game would be and as a result scheduled a curtain raiser with U21 girls to warm up the crowd before the main event. If nothing else, the game certainly warmed up a few of the boy’s hearts with Sparky taking a particular shine to the giant at centre back.
A sane ref (although blind), check; AC lads willing, check and with that the game began on a very dusty midfield.
Three minutes into the game and it was clear AC meant business. A Sandy’s defender clearance found little Sparky and the result was a thunderous strike that found the post and he was denied the much deserved goal. The strike was that good that AC faithful on the sideline had thought it was Hendo who struck the ball, but no it was the wee left back – Mark.
A minute later a slick move down the left wing found the ball at the feet of, you guessed it, Mark “Wee Weegie” Henderson. Hendo cut the ball back inside to a salivating Colin who was perched in front of goal deep in the box and needed only fall on the ball to score. Unfortunately for him the ball found the only gap evident and slid through the back, but the luck of the Irish would prevail and Dennis was now on the end of the pass duly smashing the ball into the side net; 1-0.
In AFL parlances the boys from AC were “up and about” and dominating possession and control. The Sandy boys were already starting to get frustrated in front of the capacity crowd and decided to impose a physical presence on AC; however it all backfired when a not so scary right winger by the name of Dennis gave an ever so “slight” bump back. The result was a Sandy boy getting intimate with the Sandy pitch and hobbled off holding his pride and shoulder. To add insult to injury the menacing Damo went about his business in his usual (controlled) aggressive manner to disappointment and frustration of Sandy. Oscar Wilde couldn’t have put it much better when he said "Football is all very well as a game for rough girls, but is hardly suitable for delicate boys".
Much of the attacking came down the left wing with Sparky enjoying being out of left back and up the pitch, despite the nose bleeds. A regular feature was Owen to Nolan to Sparky to Price to the Sandy goal keeper. It was only a matter of time before one of these passing combinations would have some success.
Price was again involved with a one two with Cresswell. A yet to be confirmed report had the QE2 turn with the ball, believe it or not, to find Brendan who delivered a tasty through ball to a fast moving Glaswegian. Hendo would have found it hard to miss and he didn’t, slotting home his 14th goal for the season; 2-0.
A lucky break from a well taken corner resulted in a response from Sandy finding the back of the net; 2-1.
HALF TIME
The half time speech was measured, deliberate and inspiring from [insert name here]. “It’s been a long season and we deserve a beer, but let’s fight for our right to steal fourth spot. After the game we can worry about the beer which will taste ever so sweat after victory”.
A focused and determined AC bounced back into position eagerly thinking about the beer, I mean the second half and potential victory.
Hendo, looking to celebrate the golden croc award in style received the ball from Price outside the box, then making the defenders look like clowns he scored his fifteenth and final goal for the season. He was later quoted as saying “I went left, he went left, I went right, he went right, then I went left and he went to the hot dog van”; 3-1.
JT re-entered the fray, and unfortunately for him within ten seconds had given Sandy a penalty , his fourth for the season, quickly earning himself the label as AC bad boy especially when adding his extensive multi colour card collection for the season.
The penalty taken and not even Oliver Kahn could stop this one; 3-2 and AC were looking shaky, but not a good shaky like the shaky kids get after school.
A nervous and panic ridden AC lost dominance and were defending feverishly. Sandy was certainly looking most like scoring and with free kick after free kick they were getting closer to the mark. The pie eating, AC kicking, British born, Sandy number 10 (what is it with opposition number 10’s?) let fly a super sweet strike that was curling into the goal. Then from nowhere a leaping Con beautifully denied the larger lad and his team mates the goal and the draw. The final whistle sounded not long after and Con had saved the game and confirmed fifth spot for AC depending on other results.
History would tell us now that the co-tenants, Central Park Rangers, would do the right thing beating SKevs 8-1 and the Bhoys from AC would finish in fourth spot for the year.
AC Malvern 3 - 2 Sandringham
Golden Croc boy 2, Zoolander
All that remains now is the post season celebrations starting with the awards nights on Friday where the following awards are up for grabs:
- Golden Croc [sealed by Hendo with 15 goals]
- Player of the year
- Most improved
- Clubman award
- Pants award
Then it's off to Sydney for the end of season trip for this lot to watch the Soccerwhos vs. the Dutch
The FFV must have known how important this game would be and as a result scheduled a curtain raiser with U21 girls to warm up the crowd before the main event. If nothing else, the game certainly warmed up a few of the boy’s hearts with Sparky taking a particular shine to the giant at centre back.
A sane ref (although blind), check; AC lads willing, check and with that the game began on a very dusty midfield.
Three minutes into the game and it was clear AC meant business. A Sandy’s defender clearance found little Sparky and the result was a thunderous strike that found the post and he was denied the much deserved goal. The strike was that good that AC faithful on the sideline had thought it was Hendo who struck the ball, but no it was the wee left back – Mark.
A minute later a slick move down the left wing found the ball at the feet of, you guessed it, Mark “Wee Weegie” Henderson. Hendo cut the ball back inside to a salivating Colin who was perched in front of goal deep in the box and needed only fall on the ball to score. Unfortunately for him the ball found the only gap evident and slid through the back, but the luck of the Irish would prevail and Dennis was now on the end of the pass duly smashing the ball into the side net; 1-0.
In AFL parlances the boys from AC were “up and about” and dominating possession and control. The Sandy boys were already starting to get frustrated in front of the capacity crowd and decided to impose a physical presence on AC; however it all backfired when a not so scary right winger by the name of Dennis gave an ever so “slight” bump back. The result was a Sandy boy getting intimate with the Sandy pitch and hobbled off holding his pride and shoulder. To add insult to injury the menacing Damo went about his business in his usual (controlled) aggressive manner to disappointment and frustration of Sandy. Oscar Wilde couldn’t have put it much better when he said "Football is all very well as a game for rough girls, but is hardly suitable for delicate boys".
Much of the attacking came down the left wing with Sparky enjoying being out of left back and up the pitch, despite the nose bleeds. A regular feature was Owen to Nolan to Sparky to Price to the Sandy goal keeper. It was only a matter of time before one of these passing combinations would have some success.
Price was again involved with a one two with Cresswell. A yet to be confirmed report had the QE2 turn with the ball, believe it or not, to find Brendan who delivered a tasty through ball to a fast moving Glaswegian. Hendo would have found it hard to miss and he didn’t, slotting home his 14th goal for the season; 2-0.
A lucky break from a well taken corner resulted in a response from Sandy finding the back of the net; 2-1.
HALF TIME
The half time speech was measured, deliberate and inspiring from [insert name here]. “It’s been a long season and we deserve a beer, but let’s fight for our right to steal fourth spot. After the game we can worry about the beer which will taste ever so sweat after victory”.
A focused and determined AC bounced back into position eagerly thinking about the beer, I mean the second half and potential victory.
Hendo, looking to celebrate the golden croc award in style received the ball from Price outside the box, then making the defenders look like clowns he scored his fifteenth and final goal for the season. He was later quoted as saying “I went left, he went left, I went right, he went right, then I went left and he went to the hot dog van”; 3-1.
JT re-entered the fray, and unfortunately for him within ten seconds had given Sandy a penalty , his fourth for the season, quickly earning himself the label as AC bad boy especially when adding his extensive multi colour card collection for the season.
The penalty taken and not even Oliver Kahn could stop this one; 3-2 and AC were looking shaky, but not a good shaky like the shaky kids get after school.
A nervous and panic ridden AC lost dominance and were defending feverishly. Sandy was certainly looking most like scoring and with free kick after free kick they were getting closer to the mark. The pie eating, AC kicking, British born, Sandy number 10 (what is it with opposition number 10’s?) let fly a super sweet strike that was curling into the goal. Then from nowhere a leaping Con beautifully denied the larger lad and his team mates the goal and the draw. The final whistle sounded not long after and Con had saved the game and confirmed fifth spot for AC depending on other results.
History would tell us now that the co-tenants, Central Park Rangers, would do the right thing beating SKevs 8-1 and the Bhoys from AC would finish in fourth spot for the year.
AC Malvern 3 - 2 Sandringham
Golden Croc boy 2, Zoolander
All that remains now is the post season celebrations starting with the awards nights on Friday where the following awards are up for grabs:
- Golden Croc [sealed by Hendo with 15 goals]
- Player of the year
- Most improved
- Clubman award
- Pants award
Then it's off to Sydney for the end of season trip for this lot to watch the Soccerwhos vs. the Dutch
Thanks for all the blogs Gumby!
ReplyDeleteMade the season even more enjoyable!!
Oscar Wilde was also quoted as saying "he who finishes 4th, finishes 1st!)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to next season's high-quality match reports already.
ReplyDeleteHave a good off-season and be ready for the next campaign in traditional AC style.
I'm just sorry I don't get to see your match-day activities as once I used to.