Caulfied Grammer has been flying so far this season and a win here would see them potentially steal top spot from Bayside Argonauts. So, AC would have their work cut out this week as they battled with the elite of the league and the Northern Ireland reserves squad. This fixture however has always been a good battle between these two teams with the win/loss ledger fairly balanced.
The black storm clouds were gathering when the ref FINALLY arrived to officiate proceedings for the day. He then called both teams into the middle of the park to form a circle and deliver his sermon called “the gospel according to a peanut”. Ominous signs for the day ahead, amplified by the fact that a yellow card was handed out to a CG player for having a piece of jewellery on. Yep, the ego had landed and he was undoubtedly going to have some influence on the day.
Lining up with the same formation (3-1-4-2) that sunk the Purple Eagles; AC weren’t intimidated with the might of Caulfied. Coach Rafa Dennis opted with the strike force of Hendy and Stew with pre-match instructions to Stew “You wanted your chance. So this is it; score a goal today”.
The game began and AC were like champion racehorse; attacking straight out of the gates. Attack after attack came up the right wing with Pete dazzling them with his speed. A stunned Caulfield were on the back foot and struggled to combat the intensely focused Malvern and it wouldn’t be long before AC would take advantage.
One such attack from the right saw Hendy end up with the ball in the box, then take aim and shoot only to have the keeper block the shot. Showing striker instincts, Flemo followed the ball in and pushed the ball past the keeper. A very happy goal scorer was heard yelling to Rafa on the sideline “Ivan, there you go!”
AC continued to bamboozle Caulfield for the next twenty minutes, but like true champs Caulfield wrestled their way back into the game. Finally at the 28th minute they answered with a goal to draw the game level.
Lethargy, or apathy kicked in and the Malvernites lost their shape, control and way. The back four were no longer a back four with many streaming forward in search of goal or glory. Midfielders were struggling to track back to cover the gaps exposing the remaining defenders. The gaps meant Caulfield managed to bang on another two goals without response and all was looking lost at 1-3.
A few tactical changes had to be made and Marty and Pete were moved back on the wings by Rafa. The back four regained their shape, and Sparky was stamping out some dangerous foray’s forward with his speed and chasing ability. The change stemmed the goal haemorrhage and even shifted the balance of power. Malvern resumed their attacks, this time coming from both wings.
Hendy picked up a ball played into space and charged toward goal. The goalie had come of his line and Hendy, ever the physics student, calculated that the best option would be a lob from 35m out. The ball, unlike the Jabulani, sailed beautifully through the air clearing the keeper and finding the back of the net. Could it be? Was this a comeback? 2-3.
In steped Captain Peanut who exerted his influence on the match. First, was a yellow card to Captain Cresswell for that sake of it as far as we can tell? Then, as Pete returned from a small break on the pine, the card was raised for coming back onto the ground from the wrong spot. AC was rattled and lost focus allowing Caulfied to take advantage and slot home a shattering fourth goal. 2-4
What happened next was nothing short of farcical. Rich Owen was given a little shove off the ball and decided to return the favour. Both players then moved on before Captain Peanut showed Rich a red card and asked him to head to the showers (pictured above). AC was stunned, but determined and a ten men Malvern took it to the Caulfield boys. The lads were doing the best to prove the theory that ten men are harder to defend than eleven and it was working.
A panicked Caulfield defender took a rampant Hendy down on route to goal, but avoided the red card for being last man. There’s nothing like a consistent approach to refereeing a game, but hey. A free kick was awarded and the super Italian boots of the Scottish lad put it past the keeper. 3-4
Unfortunately, despite further attempts on goal the day would end in a disappointing, but confidence building 4-3 loss, especially considering it was against title hopeful in Caulfield. The good news of the day is that the rain clouds held off.
Another FFA enforced week off means another rest for the aging elite before lining up against Nunawading. Once again the challenge maybe getting people on the pitch with Owen suspended, Sparky and Colin overseas and Dave twanging his hammy during the game.
AC Malvern 3 – 4 Caulfield
Henderson 2, Fleming
Mannie’s man of the match: Pete Phillips
WAG’s man of the match: Mark Henderson
