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
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