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No match report prepared.AC Malvern 0 - 7 Other guys Best in show: MikeWAG's player of thew match: Garriet TuckerLung buster award: JohnSeason 2011 is very much looking like this, and that'sbefore kick off:
AC Malvern was suffering from brontophobia as they let Dandenong away with a “narrow” victory on Sunday.
Darkness descended in Melbourne’s outer south east on a day that many would have been better to have stayed in bed. The signs were ominous; a huge pitch, no match record book, Pricey still drunk and of course the world’s favourite ref to officiate. AC should have seen the writing on the wall, but maybe they were too busy scrambling to find player registration numbers to see said wall.
The late kick off was made even later by the inept referees poor ability of time keeping skills. The battle was now on to beat the failing light and ironically the fast approaching storm – no doubt laden with plenty of thunder.
AC rolled out yet another makeshift squad this week and played some good football for the first eight minutes with some great moves down the left through Colin and Wade before a catastrophic implosion, aptly led by Captain Cresswell. Surely the words of Mario were still ringing in the ears of the players “encourage each other, don’t have a go if someone stuffs up”.....clearly not as Steve tore into the left sided players. Within a minute of the Cresswell led eruption the Thunder had slotted home two quick goals and the rot began.
Without dissecting the rest of the match in too much detail AC was outclassed by a better opposition whose speed caused no end of trouble. AC were never in the game with the boys struggling to string passes together and constantly outplayed by the deceptively quick Thunder. Somewhere amongst the mire Terry was able to score a much needed goal and Wade too had a brilliant opportunity, but forgot to pull the trigger.
At times AC were like watching Bennie Hill chasing nurses through the park; running in circles but getting nowhere. Frustration was building and infighting mounting and our friend the ref was only fuelling the fire. Yellow cards were once again handed out at will for minor verbal indiscretions whilst ferocious tackles went without penalty. He truly is a confusing and sad man, but that comes as no surprise as I’m told his day time job is security guard at Kitten’s in South Melbourne – all class.
A short blog for what is the worst defeat in AC Malvern history. The season is now gone and relegation looks inevitable, but the question remains – what can Malvern salvage from the wreck? Pride, the McRopod Cup and maybe a couple of points. Who knows, but the coaching staff must now look to the future and development of the list for season 2012.
AC Malvern 1 - 10 Dandenong Thunder
Unitt
Best in show: Colin Brien
WAG's player of the match: Wade
Worst display of teamsmanship: Steve Cresswell
The flood gates didn’t quiet open, but South Yarra managed to sneak four past Malvern to take the points last week.
This match was met with much fear and trepidation. It marked the firsts of the return legs and offered the boys from Malvern a yard stick on their progress from the season opener. The wounds were still raw from the season opener with the power of the Yarra too much as they flooded the back of the net eight times. It was hopefully the low water mark for AC as since then they have pieced together their shattered confidence match by match.
Such an important game requires a strong squad, but AC was certainly lacking with an all star team watching from the sideline. The biggest impact injury was the loss of Tim in goals who ran the marathon quicker than the time it took him to walk from his car to the sidelines. Thankfully for AC the more than handy Captain Cresswell put his hand up to tend goals for the afternoon.
Derk Diggler returned from his sojourn to the homeland to line up in the midfield for the added Dutch flare and pint sized left winger Wade was called into the squad to help Garriet look tall.
Pre match challenges aside the lads from AC held their own in the early period of play. They key was stifling the Yarra midfield who last time ran rampant. This however only solved part of the problem as AC was unable to get any forward supply to their underemployed strikers.
Confidence of a reasonable result was building before the might of Yarra, or Backpackers United flexed its muscle. A beautiful piece of work resulted in their right winger unleashing a thunderbolt from outside the box. Like a shot from the gun it rocketed past Steve through the smallest of gaps and into the net. A timely reminder of what they can do with only half a chance.
Midfield control was shifting away from the red and black. AC weren’t winning any contested ball and the smallest man on the pitch, Garriet looked the only one willing to have ago. Not deterred by their obvious size advantage Garriet put himself and his body in every contest and like David did to Goliath the little man was winning against the odds. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he lacked the support required and Yarra would inevitably win the next contest, before pushing forward.
The Malvern defence would be excused if the put in a repetitive strain injury claim as I think 80 percent of the play has been lumped on them this year. Fatigue is inevitably going to take its toll and Yarra would take advantage of the weakening adversary slotting home another.
The second half led to an inspired Malvern and more attacking football. Understanding that they lacked control in the midfield the boys used the wings. Find of the day, Wade was dancing his way past defenders and creating half chances. With a little match fitness he could find a home there on the wing putting pressure on the out of form Jones.
Coach Dennis opted for one striker, pushing Terry back into the centre of the midfield which started to even the balance. From the sidelines it was the best football Malvern had played against a quality opposition. Yarra were worried for the smallest measure of time. Malvern were now structurally sound, but continuing pressure meant they lacked the fitness to keep up with the precise balls from the foot of Yarra’s “Scouser” and Co.
Steve played more than his part making some spectacular saves to keep the score at two nil; however Yarra working off the premise of the more shots you take the more chance of scoring, kept smashing them at Steve finally sneaking one past. Sensing the inevitable defeat and sore back Steve moved into the outfield and Mario stepped in for keeper’s duties for the remainder of the game.
Yarra would round out the match scoring a fourth ensuring that AC were only half as bad as the start of the season.
A few timely quotes and sage advice from Michael Jordan may provide inspiration as the team attempts to move forward.
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take”
“I’m not out there sweating just to find out what it’s like to sweat”
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something, but I can’t accept not trying" AC Malvern 0 - 4 UK Old BoysBest in show:Garriet TuckerWAG's player of the match: Steve CresswellAshman Lush player that counts: Rich Owen