The king and his cup.......

The third instalment of the Mc Ropod cup was another classic with the scoring power of Central Park Rangers proving too much as the eclipsed their co-tenants with a one nil victory on Sunday. The significance of the match was amped up as both teams paid tribute with yellow armbands, to a former player Sean Wight who is currently battling cancer. (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/demon-great-sean-wight-in-cancer-fight/story-e6frf9jf-1226019890149)

Greeted with a very windy day the focused and on time AC Malvern set about acclimatising to the conditions with an extended warm up. There is uncertainty around whether this was effective in their play, but it certainly confused the opposition who rolled out of bed and onto the pitch.

As always with these battles there is never much between the two teams with the result usually coming down to a single play, missed tackle or freak goal. Mindful of this AC paid full respect to any move going forward from the Rangers; especially those coming from nemesis Lars.

The name Lars means “he who is crowned with laurel”. So I assume this means King? Anyway if it is a King then it’s a very fitting name for the man who is clearly King off the McRopod Cup; scoring three of the four goals in previous battles. Needless to say attention would be paid to this most humble of Swedish men.

The early going had AC ever so slightly ahead in possession and control. The back four was led by Super Mario as he heralded the arrival of the King and his entourage. They ably dealt with any attack, channelling the ball back through the midfield.

AC looked good when they weren’t panicking and using the width. The only downfall today, and with much of the season was their inability to score. Unfortunately through the towering strength of the Rangers back four, namely Neil and Paul, AC were unable to get away a shot.

Just before the half the game started to open up and some fantastic through balls to T-Unitt allowed for hearts to flutter as AC were getting closer to scoring. The heat was on and battle lines were drawn as Terry had several opportunities which included a bruising clash in which neither Terry or Rangers keeper David gave an inch. The laws of physics meant that David came off second best in the clash of bodies, but said post game “I saw it coming so I braced myself for what was a good fair bump”.

Rangers weren’t without their chances as they shot off a 21 gun salute to have Tim make some fantastic saves as he always does. Some luck for AC as the ones Tim couldn’t save were saved by the bar.

A slight change to the AC structure before the half seemed to change the game as dominance shifted to the blue and whites. Control in the midfield was maintained, but attacks were developing from both wings. Fortunately AC held on and would be able to regroup during the break with the score nil all. One could argue it was a fair half time score, but had AC been one up it may have been more fitting for their efforts.

The second half had the large crowd on the edge of their seats – though it could have been the wind that blew them that way. This was truly a classic in every sense with both teams going toe to toe for the ascendancy and a chance to hold aloft the trophy in front of adoring fans.

Malvern were still finding plenty of the ball, but gaps out wide were continuing to open up for the Rangers forwards to play into. Soon enough King Lars arrived on Malvern’s right wing unmarked and as he does so well, duly slotted home the first goal of the game.

A distraught Malvern tried to pick themselves up as they faced the reality of potentially another lost opportunity for silverware.

Coach Dennis consulted the board and realised something had to change. At this point it was better to have lost three nil than to try nothing and accept the one nil result. The undercover goal sneak Rich Owen was thrown forward to match the size of the Rangers backs, setting up a 3-4-3 formation in the hope of getting the two goals required to snatch the trophy.

The last fifteen minutes was test of the fittest as both teams scrambled for chances with both coming close without result.

A fantastic game came to an end with Lars scoring the only goal. His tally is now at four of the five scored in McRopod Cup history.

With Alan (the games sponsor) unable to attend it was left to Coach Dennis to present the trophy to the winning captain, Paul Davies from Rangers. AC are yet to get their names scribed on the trophy and now must look to round 17 in order to exact revenge and release it from the firm grip of Rangers.

It was a fantastic day and importantly both teams wish Sean the best for his battle with cancer.

AC Malvern 0 - 1 Central Park Rangers

Best in show: Tim Nolan
WAGs player of the match: Mario