Honourable loss; if you Google it you get a polarised view on the topic. “No such thing as an honourable loss: Selwood”, “Honourable loss not an option: Goodes” or “Ballarat prides honourable loss to league heavyweight”. Whichever way you look at it half full or half empty 2011 is the season of honour and the season of loss for AC.
The word honour, from the Latin word honos, has many meanings which could be used in all manner of ways, but for AC I think the best definition I could find was “to show courteous behaviour to.” So when I say that this Sunday AC had another honourable loss to Old Xav’s it means they got pants whilst being courteous and respectful.
Before I go on with the match details another over used phrase this year is “depleted list”. It’s a phrase that keeps rolling out every week recently without a sense of context. For the uninformed AC started off with a very prosperous and promising preseason; however since then they have slid the slippery slopes to the point of begging for mercy from the injury Gods.
Before the first kick off tragedy struck with Dennis forced to retire with neck issues and Coulter being ruled out for the season with the same injury that crippled Beckham’s and possibly England’s World Cup hopes. These are both losses you can cover, but since then AC have lost the following: Eddie (season - knee and job in the UK), Adam (season - deported), Damo (five weeks – knee), Pinkney (many weeks – back and now ankle), Mario (three weeks – foot) and Jay (four weeks – groin then ankle although he managed to ski). It has been a terrible year that has been reflected on the scoreboard with a lot of “honourable losses” and a single gutsy hard fought win.
Today’s game was going to be one of the toughest of the season with Old Xav’s occupying the top few spots all year and really putting some teams to the sword in the process.
A strategy of stem the flow, then build from there was adopted as the boys rolled out with a 4-1-4-1 formation. The early signs were good as AC managed to curtail the speed of the OX’s strikers by shutting down the space, especially for the dangerous bald #57. AC looked composed and managed to maintain possession, even thrusting forward to create some chances for Marty and Garriet.
As the game progressed one thing became evident; there was no single source of brilliance or no Hollywood passes. This was a balanced affair with everyone contributing and supporting their team mates. It was brilliant to watch and AC was in the game and starting to worry the boys of privilege from Kew who started turning on the ref and themselves. A 0-0 result of half time was looking good.........until.......
A momentary lapse in concentration and OX’s do what good teams do, they punish you. Punishment came in the form of a goal a bitterly disappointing result given the outstanding effort in the first 45.
The second half was a blur of much the same; concentrated effort, momentary lapses in concentration and a sprinkling of injury to add some spice. Old Xav’s managed to slot home three more goals on the back of two more momentary lapses and a third from an awkward tackle from Captain Cresswell which resulted in a penalty. Tim managed to go the right way and almost save, but it wasn’t our day.
In a quest to further deplete the list AC suffered two more injuries as Matty Pinkney who was playing out of his skin, copped a harsh challenge resulting in the ballooning of his ankle in front of the adoring Xavs fans. Matt is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. Then not long after, Pete hit the deck with a hamstring strain and was out for the rest of the game. In summary, another honourable 4-0 loss for the boys from Malvern.
I ask that all readers of this blog say a prayer, beg or do whatever you do to help us get through the rest of the season unscathed and set ourselves up for a prosperous season 2012 in division 4.
Three games remain in 2011 with the pick of the fixtures being the McRopod Cup on 4 September at the Stadium of SHite. AC still has one last chance to get something out of the year, presuming they can stop Lars the Danish goal scoring king.
AC Malvern 0 – 4 Old Xavs
Best in show: Steve Cresswell (despite the penalty)
WAGS player of the match: Matt Pinkney
Aug 19, 2011
Aug 12, 2011
Normal service resumed
The lengthy writers ban has been lifted by the Global Association of Bloggers or GAB as they are commonly know. Demands on performance improvements and commitment from the “athletes” on the field have now met the minimum standard required to justify comment.
Bloggers were relieved after lifting the ban to see an epic battle unfold, although no one would take the points at Central Park on Sunday.
AC headed into the game with an out list matching the size of those available. Never the less they lined up with the many from the squad who took it to Old Melbournain’s a week earlier. The rampaging giant lunged John was back and Derk was there to continue his midfield dominance.
Another demanding speech pre- game from Dennis may have been just the ticket as AC took the game to Old Camberwell. Derk’s composure on the ball allowed for some great delivery to Marty and Garriet who were intent on causing havoc. Unprecedented early game chances presented themselves and the strike force put the OC’s keeper on notice.
Captain Cresswell has turned his game around since the events pre match last weekend. Today, he led from the front.....actually the back. Steve and Rich co-ordinated the defence, snuffing out attacks at will. Steve ran like never before which allowed Owen to briefly venture up forward to create a chance only to find the cross bar.
The OC’s attack came thick and fast after that, but Pricey this time was on hand to quell the repeated threats. Having the game of his season Pricey owned right back and anyone who dared to venture near.
With defence covered it came to Malvern to make the most of their chances when presented and to create more. “Shoot on sight” was the clear instructions of Coach Dennis which was a little harder than it seemed.
The ball seems to move with ease from the back to the front with Derk, John and Wade imposing themselves on the game. As confidence grew, so too did the number of shots. Marty and Garriet started worrying the keeper with a few flying just wide.
The turning point for Malvern came when the number 4 of OC decided to give Steve a smack in the back of the head during a stoppage. Steve, ordinarily would have knocked him out, but the new Steve used a few words and moved on.....Unfortunately the words weren’t very friendly and the young ref showed both players a red card. This stopped the attacking momentum for a while as the clock started to run down. A reshuffle moved Pete down back to cover the gap and Garriet was sacrificed removing one scoring option.
AC were holding tight and the game was fading to a drawn result. Five minutes remained in the game when an onslaught from the boys in red and black found Marty and Wade repeatedly with scoring chances. Marty came closest of the two flying agonisingly close to the corner, but without luck inside the last minute.
The game ended 0-0 and AC remain on the bottom staring down the barrel of relegation. The renewed Malvern will not go down without a fight as they stand committed and motivated for the remainder of the season. The McRopod Cup is only around the corner which remains the only chance for glory in 2011.
AC Malvern 0 - 0 Old Camberwell
Best in Show: Wade
WAG's player: John
Ashman Lush player that counts:Pricey
Bloggers were relieved after lifting the ban to see an epic battle unfold, although no one would take the points at Central Park on Sunday.
AC headed into the game with an out list matching the size of those available. Never the less they lined up with the many from the squad who took it to Old Melbournain’s a week earlier. The rampaging giant lunged John was back and Derk was there to continue his midfield dominance.
Another demanding speech pre- game from Dennis may have been just the ticket as AC took the game to Old Camberwell. Derk’s composure on the ball allowed for some great delivery to Marty and Garriet who were intent on causing havoc. Unprecedented early game chances presented themselves and the strike force put the OC’s keeper on notice.
Captain Cresswell has turned his game around since the events pre match last weekend. Today, he led from the front.....actually the back. Steve and Rich co-ordinated the defence, snuffing out attacks at will. Steve ran like never before which allowed Owen to briefly venture up forward to create a chance only to find the cross bar.
The OC’s attack came thick and fast after that, but Pricey this time was on hand to quell the repeated threats. Having the game of his season Pricey owned right back and anyone who dared to venture near.
With defence covered it came to Malvern to make the most of their chances when presented and to create more. “Shoot on sight” was the clear instructions of Coach Dennis which was a little harder than it seemed.
The ball seems to move with ease from the back to the front with Derk, John and Wade imposing themselves on the game. As confidence grew, so too did the number of shots. Marty and Garriet started worrying the keeper with a few flying just wide.
The turning point for Malvern came when the number 4 of OC decided to give Steve a smack in the back of the head during a stoppage. Steve, ordinarily would have knocked him out, but the new Steve used a few words and moved on.....Unfortunately the words weren’t very friendly and the young ref showed both players a red card. This stopped the attacking momentum for a while as the clock started to run down. A reshuffle moved Pete down back to cover the gap and Garriet was sacrificed removing one scoring option.
AC were holding tight and the game was fading to a drawn result. Five minutes remained in the game when an onslaught from the boys in red and black found Marty and Wade repeatedly with scoring chances. Marty came closest of the two flying agonisingly close to the corner, but without luck inside the last minute.
The game ended 0-0 and AC remain on the bottom staring down the barrel of relegation. The renewed Malvern will not go down without a fight as they stand committed and motivated for the remainder of the season. The McRopod Cup is only around the corner which remains the only chance for glory in 2011.
AC Malvern 0 - 0 Old Camberwell
Best in Show: Wade
WAG's player: John
Ashman Lush player that counts:Pricey
Aug 1, 2011
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