Come from behind squared

The halfway marker for the season brought about more frowns from the growing fan base as AC battled more than the elements to succumb to the youthful determination of Monash Uni on Sunday.

AC Malvern arrived in the outer south-east, otherwise known as the funnel for Melbourne’s ugliest weather, with the wind blowing a gale and rain threatening. It’s no wonder that the neighbouring stadium, Waverley Park couldn’t attract the big crowds – its bloody freezing out here. The one saving grace for the day was the pristine pitch which plays host to Melbourne Victory’s training sessions.

An early sign of how the day would unfold was the over officious nature in which the referee went about his pre-game address to the team as he barked at Coach Dennis “All team members in the rooms and they’d better be ready when I get there”. Wow, hi how are you!

AC was in search of goals and looked to ‘perennial’ goal sneak Rich Owen to deliver as he lined up at the opposite end of the park than normal. It wasn’t long before this decision would be reversed as Dennis made the switch sending him back help Mario and co to defend in this howling gale.

The ref, preoccupied with everything off the pitch rather than on it did the following: demanded the coaching staff move to the furthest side of the ground, stopped the game to tell all non-players to get outside the arbitrary marked box on the ground deemed to be the match official space and told the freezing players on the sidelines to sit still. All this whilst there was a football match unfolding under his nose. Now there’s a man finger on the pulse and a sense of the real issues. It gets worse, but more of that later as I am distracted from the actual game unfolding.

The game that was unfolding was a great little battle that belied the ladder positions of both teams with AC sitting plum on the bottom and Monash fourth. Despite the wind AC were going toe to toe with their younger opponents although without managing to get a shot away.

Running into the headwind was taking its toll on the players and rotations would be the order of the half to keep legs fresh for the downwind run in the second stanza. Changes are usually a simple affair of exchange, but this ref was intent on continuing his Hitler style reign of proceedings demanding players change precisely at the centreline. Truth be told if he could have, he would have demanded an electronic subs board.

Football, yep football.....The first half highlight came from Monash Uni. A lucky, but intentional shot from just inside the half way line sailed on the wind at rocket speed. Surprised by the attempt, Tim was caught off guard and the ball hit the back of the net.

It was half time and Dan had just arrived to help his brethren out for the remainder of the game after misreading the email which indicated the starting time.

AC decided not to make the four kilometre trek to the rooms, AC braved the wind some more for some sage advice from the leadership group. “We’ve got the wind and Owen up front. Bang the ball in and we should score two or three here”

Malvern went out on the attack, certainly taking advantage of the wind as they peppered the goal mouth with chances. Pricey was a little less interested as he went for a walk, decided to stop and text some people and update his Facebook status before eventually returning to the game. Meanwhile the midfield was fresh thanks to the earlier rotations and was completely dominating proceedings. The rolling partnership of Owen, Matthews and Tucker were causing all sorts of problems up front getting closer to scoring.

An innocuous corner was responsible for AC drawing level when Steve, using his pre-game lesson in physics from a student in the car park used the wind to his advantage. He struck the ball from the corner flag curling it in without touching a player. Scores were level and things were getting interesting.

Twenty minutes in and AC were still dominant when a ball into the box was brought down by the towering Owen only to have AC newbie Garriet get on the end of it and drill home his first goal for the club. AC had hit the front and with the wind at their backs were favourites to go on with it.

Another series of changes upset the team balance and Monash got back on top. Their only real threat was the scorer of the first goal whose thunderous right boot went close many times in the closing stages of the game.

Monash managed to defy the odds, after Tim was crushed and damn near broke his back, banging on the two goals required to come from behind and take the points in a hotly contested affair. AC battled hard and controlled much of the game, but was unlucky on this occasion, walking away with no points and six yellow cards for various ridiculous infractions

AC turn at the half way mark with one win to their name.

AC Malvern 2 - 3 Monash Uni
Cresswell, Tucker

Best in show: Tim Nolan
WAG's Player of the match: Rich Owen
Ashman Lush player that counts: Garriet Tucker
Twits not doing it for the team: Pricey & Dan