Scotch College is a school that promotes itself as the incubator of our nation’s future leaders. A testament to their tag line is a distinguished list of alumni that includes no less than; three Governer-Generals, one Prime Minister, four Justices of the High Court, eight State Premiers and one cast member of the highly successful Channel Ten series; House. Would we be lucky enough to see a little Johnny Howard or even a Kevin07 amongst them today? Only time would tell.
I said last week that AC plays like champions against the leagues elite and dogs against the cellar dwellers, or something like that. Well, this week would be no different.
Lining up for yet another match where we encounter another kit clash and the resultant sea of red, AC were confident of a win. The ref quickly established a way to tell the difference between the teams. Instead of the traditional shirts and skins, it was a case of collars popped and not.
The match started with much of the possession controlled by AC who strung passes together and managed to force turnovers at will. As has been the case for most of the season AC lacked the potency in the final third; missing many opportunities to gain ascendancy on the scoreboard.
A beautiful piece of work that started with Hendy snatching the ball from an OS opponent and delivering to Captain Cresswell before channelling the ball through to Coults, then Tim and back to Captain Cresswell. A fantastic build up and an illustration of the domination and control through the midfield; however the lobbed through ball found no one running into the space and an easy clearance from the future leaders. AC was playing true AFC football, or in golfing terms they were driving for show, but not able to putt for the dough.
Ralpha was next to step up and try drive one into the back of the net. A free kick outside the box ; this is the big mans bread and butter, but today he cleared the wall and landed it plum in the hands of the goal keeper.
Scotch weren’t without their chances, but a cat like Wong was up for the task making a few good saves. It seems that the mid week training session with club legend and former goalkeeper Jack paid huge dividends. So much so, that the entire team will be embarking on mid week training for here on in. Very un-AC like!
Attacking runs from Flemo, Coults and the debutant QV were causing problems, but it wasn’t until the 39th minute that things would change. Captain Cresswell played the ball beautifully along the ground from a free kick attempting to find Hendy. First to pounce on this occasion was Marty Monster with his back to gaols. Marty shimmied left, then dropped the shoulder and spun right before unleashing from outside the box and finding the bottom left corner. 1-0
Of course AC would try hold out until half time with a lead, and of course this would not happen. The lead was surrendered in the 43 minutes from an OS corner. The ball floated in and confused defenders lost sight of it until it was sliding into the back of the net. 1-1
HALF TIME
Something happened in the rooms at half time. What it was exactly is more mysterious than Rafa’s half time speech in the 2005 Champions League final. Unfortunately, unlike that day in May 2005 the result would be the polar opposite. AC started the second half looking like a team of under tens, ball chasing.
All fluency and control from the first half had disappeared and the boys were content with lobbing long balls forward to no one in particular. OS were starting to take over proceedings and didn’t their supporters love it.
The ref took time out from his busy schedule of overseeing the match to acquaint himself with the Old Scotch supporters (pictured). All were dressed splendidly in Ralph Lauren polo’s with collars “popped”. The smug bunch was standing by sipping Verve and eating Caviar that their servants had prepared earlier and weren’t ready for what happened next. The Ref clearly not understanding their status in society, reprimanded them suggesting that “such indulgence had no place on the sidelines of football match. It would be more at home on the Polo fields of Portsea”. The upset bunch put away the booze and returned to supporting their beloved Old Scotch.
This is a public service announcement: The only, and I mean only person who looks cool with their collar popped is Eric Cantona (pictured) after slotting home a winner.Back to the match: A despondent and lost Malvern dropped their bundle and despite numerous tactical changes by Rafa Dennis, OS managed to slot home two goals to lead 3-1.
A few late chances came about, the highlight being a run down the left wing from QV who crossed back into the centre of the box, but without result.
Today was a dirty day for Malvern on the pitch and they go into the break with the unenviable label of bottom placed team; staring down the barrel of relegation. One can only hope that the boys rally and revisit the form of last year where last place at the break they then ended up with a forth place finish and promotion.
AC Malvern 1 – 3 Scotch Collars
Marty
Mannie’s man of the match: Marty Matthews
WAG’s man of the match: Steve Cresswell
News in brief:
- Coach Rafa Dennis is in discussion with AC management to negaotiate the terms of the early payout of his contract.
