A beautiful sunny morning with clear skies greeted us at Wembley Park today. The Ref was there early checking the ground and handing out fresh hot scones that he had baked that morning. What a wonderful day for Football this would be...
Now back to reality !
Dark foreboding clouds eagerly gathered overhead, rain tumbled from the sky, so much so that not 1 single Ref appeared at Wembley Park today....disgraceful ! So muggins here gets roped into reffing the match in pouring rain and absolute cold. Ohh the joys of celebrating your 42nd birthday...
Anyway, enough whinging and on to the match. Despite the cold and dismal conditions, both teams were eager to get moving in this Round 9 clash. Box Hill got off to a good start and controlled the ball well in the difficult conditions. It was clear that the boys wanted to bounce back from last weeks effort against Monash.
The first half saw Box Hill continually find ways to attack and we had South Yarra pinned down in their defensive half. The ball was very slippery today, so our first touch would prove important. South Yarra defended in numbers and managed to get plenty of players behind the ball. Countless close range shots went begging courtesy of a mixture of rushing, water, poor accuracy and more water....actually a lot of water.
Eventually we managed to find the back of the net courtesy of some scrappy play in the 18 yard box, the ball bouncing off a defender before Jesse hit a solid shot from the edge of the box. Goal #2 came in a very similar fashion, a comedy of errors saw the ball ping pong it's way around in front of goal, before it was finally put out of it's misery, again by Jesse. The 3rd goal came after Bob finished an easy chance inside the 6 yard box and gave the Keeper no chance.
So 3 nil up at half time, which should have been more like 6 or 8. Stackie disappeared into the change rooms to speak with the boys and have a hot cup of Cocoa. Meanwhile The Gaffer decided to stay on the pitch and enjoy the wonderful mid June conditions. It's amazing how quickly your glasses fog up in those conditions and how annoying it is when you pull your handkerchief out of your pocket to wipe them , only to find that it is completely drenched !
The 2nd half got underway with Box Hill again controlling the tempo of the match and we continued to press South Yarra's defence and create chances. I lost count of how many goals we missed, Alex had a couple of chances, so did Nick, Jesse did all the hard work to weave through the defence and beat the Keeper, only to shoot the ball wide, Sam had a couple of good chances but missed...after a while it became quite comical and I can remember hearing a South Yarra player say to his team mate "Thank God they can't shoot !"
As such we managed to do a great job of not adding to our halftime score and despite all of our hard work the match finished at 3 nil. A pleasing aspect of the match was the way that we maintained possession and moved the ball around. Our Coaching Director was at the match and he commented on how well the boys played in such dismal conditions. Just a pity that our finishing was not going to plan.
I think pretty much all of the boys spent some time on the bench, which given the conditions was probably welcomed. Poor old Billy was a lonely sight in the distance, cold and wet he stood resolutely waiting for the chance to touch the ball. Our defenders had a good day, Ben, Michael, Jordan and Paul all played very well. As did the midfielders, Nick, Charlie, Aaron D and Johnny. A special mention to Kosmo who despite his best efforts just couldn't get that final kick to work. Like I said to you before the game Kosi, you should have worn those flashy Puma boots and everything would have been different !
Next week we start all over again for the 2nd half of the season. The boys need to remember what they have learned from playing each team in the first round and use it to their advantage. As the season goes on, teams improve.... so we must work hard at training and play smart on game day.
PS: If any of you would like to do a Ref course, I will be more than happy to pay for you ! If not can I please have a Hot Water bottle on standby at half time next time it rains.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Round 8 2008 - Monash
I know it is a Cliche, but a week in Football is a long time.
Today we travelled to Caloola Reserve to play Monash, who were sitting on equal points with us at the top of the ladder, only 1 goal separated us from 1st and 2nd spot. It was a cool and clear morning, and the ground was in good condition, albeit the early morning dew would make for a skidding and slippery ball.
The result of this match would determine who moves to a clear lead on top of the ladder, with the looser more than likely dropping to 3rd spot, as it was likely that Bulleen would win their match against Manningham.
Monash were warming up by 8.15am, so we could tell that they were serious about giving us a run for our money. Our boys had trained well during the week and were really looking forward to a competitive game. You could feel the sense of anticipation around the ground and everyone was keenly waiting for the game to get underway.
Our Ref today was a young man called Xavier, who plays U13A grade Soccer. Upon speaking to him prior to the match, I could tell that he was nervous. Unfortunately this nervousness manifested itself during the first half in the form of a lack of confidence in making decisions. Those decisions that were made, often went the wrong way, which not only frustrated both teams but also created more tension on the sidelines.
It was disappointing that the FFV put this young man in such a situation, especially given that this match was always going to have a lot of emotion attached to it. The FFV did send down a Supervising Referee to watch him, but he did not arrive until late in the first half when the damage had been done. As such the senior referee took over the 2nd half of the game. I hope that this budding young Ref was not too disheartened by his experience today and that he continues to learn his trade.
Getting back to the game, it was Monash who came out on the attack and they were unlucky not to score in the opening minutes. Slowly Box Hill started to get into the game, but it was obvious from early on that we were playing well within ourselves. Monash were awarded a dubious free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box midway through the 1st half. Their player hit the ball very well and Billy managed to parry it down, but failed to take it cleanly, allowing a Monash player to pounce and kick the ball out of his hands for their first goal. Some might say that Billy was infringed by the Monash player, but the scored remained.
Box Hill tried to rally after that and we did have a couple of good chances to equalise. However try as we might we could not finish effectively and we went to the break 1 nil down. The 2nd half saw Monash come out strongly and press us hard. There was a lot of play in and around the box and Monash were doing everything they could to keep the pressure on our defenders. Eventually they scored their 2nd goal after we failed to effectively clear a ball from wide of the box, the cross being finished clinically by their forward.
Late in the 2nd half we did manage to get some forward movement underway, but once again the resolute Monash defence cleared the ball effectively. On the final whistle we actually did manage to score a consolation goal, but it was disallowed due to an infringement in the box.
So our first defeat for the season and a solid wake up call for all of the boys. Stackie was disappointed with the efforts of many of the boys today, especially in a game that had so much riding on it. The result has now seen us drop from 1st to 3rd on the ladder, with Eastern Lions only 4 points behind us.
Qualifying for 'A' league next season is not a Lay Down Misere and we must work hard every week to ensure that we finish in the top 3 at the end of the season.
I think the game was summed up best by one of the Monash players after the game. As he walked around congratulating his team mates he simply said, "Well done boys, we wanted it more than they did..."
Life is tough at the top and even tougher in 3rd place...
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Round 7 2008 - Eastern Lions
A tough and determined Eastern Lions team were our Round 7 opponents at Wembley Park today. Great conditions made for a very enjoyable morning and both teams were eager to play. The game got underway with Box Hill attacking from the first whistle, good runs from Sam and Charlie gave us many entries into the the 18 yard box. Eastern Lions defended in numbers and their tenacity proved to be successful early in the 1st half.
Once again Box Hill hesitated when close to goal, preferring to look for that extra pass to another player. Our first goal was more the result of a defensive error by the opposition than effective work on our behalf. Jesse was just outside the 6 yard box when he decided to pass the ball to Alex, rather than pull the trigger himself. Luckily Alex's shot spilled into goal after a defender and the Keeper failed to clear the ball.
Other chances were created, but we were rushing our shots and allowing the Lions to muscle us off the ball. 1 nil at half time could have easily been 3 or 4 but all credit to the Lions for their continuous hard ball contests and determination.
The 2nd half saw Box Hill dominate play with a strong possession game that forced the Lions to chase the ball. Our defenders, Ben, Bob, Aaron S, Paul & Jordan worked hard to clear the ball wide and where possible switch play across the back line. We started to run some nice combinations and our midfielders, Nick, Jesse, Aaron D & John worked hard to provide some good forward momentum.
Up front Kosi was seeing a lot of the ball and using his skills to outfox the Lions defenders. We managed to win a couple of corners and the delivery of the ball to the front & Back posts was spot on. As such Aaron S & Sam were unlucky not to have converted some good chances, their shots just going wide of the goal.
Alex also had a great chance to score but was closed down well by the Lions Keeper, who muffled his shot.Eventually it was Jesse who scored our 2nd goal after Sam sent him through with a pinpoint pass that split 2 defenders.
Eastern Lions had a couple of chances late in the match, their tactic was to try and catch us the counter with a long ball. We cleared effectively until a scrappy ball ping ponged around in the box and the Lions forward had a good shot from close range. However Billy dived brilliantly to his right and with arms extended made a save that would make Guss Hiddink proud.
So 2 nil at the final whistle, which given the circumstances could have easily been 5 or 6 if we had finished effectively. Interesting to see that Monash won against Ashburton (3 - 1), which keeps us at the top of the ladder by only 1 goal. Next weeks game at Caloola Reserve is shaping up to be the match of the round, so lets work hard this week to give ourselves the best preparation possible.
Life is tough at the Top !
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Round 6 2008 - Doncaster
A cold and foggy morning at Anderson Park for our match against Doncaster. The boys trained very well on Friday night and were ready for a strong challenge. The game started with Doncaster pressing us in their attacking half. However it was interesting to note that although Doncaster initially tried hard to attack, they had 4 defenders camped in our 18 yard box ?
Eventually we managed to wrestle control of the ball and it was not long before we managed our first conversion, courtesy of Aaron D (see you do have a right foot !). This gave our boys an extra lift and we then started to control the game with good passing and lots of movement into space.
Doncaster were persistent at the ball, but we had their measure and we manned up well. Our midfielders (Ben, Jesse, Nick) were winning the hard balls and our wide players (Sam & Aaron D) were providing lots of options. However our endeavour in front of goal was frustrated by rushed shots and poor communication. As such a number of good chances went begging in the first half that we should have easily converted.
We did manage to put another 2 goals past the Doncaster Keeper before halftime, courtesy of Jesse and Alex. The latter goal was the result of a well executed free kick from about 25 yards out, with the ball looping over the Keepers flapping arms.
3 nil at half time and we looked primed for a solid second half and hopefully a few more goals for our tally. Stackie was reasonably happy with the boys, but he wanted to hear more talking amongst the group. In his words..."I can't shut you up at training but you could hear a pin drop on Sunday mornings..." He also wanted the boys to respect the team rule and not turn unless told to do so by another player.
The 2nd half saw us once again control the tempo of the game. Doncaster managed the occasional long ball out of defence but our defenders (Bob, Jordan, Paul & Michael) had little difficulty in stopping any forward movement from Doncaster. Kosmo, who had played very well at Left Back in the first half, was now wearing the #1 Jersey in Goal. We would not see him again until after the final whistle, where he appeared to shake hands with the opposition.
For all of our efforts in the 2nd half, we were unable to finish effectively when given the chance. Aaron S, Charlie and Johnny were doing some good work wide of the box, but we missed many chances and were frustrated by Doncaster's flooding of the goal mouth. As it turned out our 4th goal was probably the best of the day with Nick crossing a ball into the box from the right wing, Michael was in perfect position and he made no mistake with a clinical header that took advantage of the Doncaster Keeper being off his line.
So another convincing win for the lads, but we really need to work harder in and around the box so that we convert more of our chances. In other games today we were fortunate that our lead at the top of the table has been maintained. As we all know each match begins at nil all, so we must listen to Stackie and put into practice what we learn at training during the week.
Eventually we managed to wrestle control of the ball and it was not long before we managed our first conversion, courtesy of Aaron D (see you do have a right foot !). This gave our boys an extra lift and we then started to control the game with good passing and lots of movement into space.
Doncaster were persistent at the ball, but we had their measure and we manned up well. Our midfielders (Ben, Jesse, Nick) were winning the hard balls and our wide players (Sam & Aaron D) were providing lots of options. However our endeavour in front of goal was frustrated by rushed shots and poor communication. As such a number of good chances went begging in the first half that we should have easily converted.
We did manage to put another 2 goals past the Doncaster Keeper before halftime, courtesy of Jesse and Alex. The latter goal was the result of a well executed free kick from about 25 yards out, with the ball looping over the Keepers flapping arms.
3 nil at half time and we looked primed for a solid second half and hopefully a few more goals for our tally. Stackie was reasonably happy with the boys, but he wanted to hear more talking amongst the group. In his words..."I can't shut you up at training but you could hear a pin drop on Sunday mornings..." He also wanted the boys to respect the team rule and not turn unless told to do so by another player.
The 2nd half saw us once again control the tempo of the game. Doncaster managed the occasional long ball out of defence but our defenders (Bob, Jordan, Paul & Michael) had little difficulty in stopping any forward movement from Doncaster. Kosmo, who had played very well at Left Back in the first half, was now wearing the #1 Jersey in Goal. We would not see him again until after the final whistle, where he appeared to shake hands with the opposition.
For all of our efforts in the 2nd half, we were unable to finish effectively when given the chance. Aaron S, Charlie and Johnny were doing some good work wide of the box, but we missed many chances and were frustrated by Doncaster's flooding of the goal mouth. As it turned out our 4th goal was probably the best of the day with Nick crossing a ball into the box from the right wing, Michael was in perfect position and he made no mistake with a clinical header that took advantage of the Doncaster Keeper being off his line.
So another convincing win for the lads, but we really need to work harder in and around the box so that we convert more of our chances. In other games today we were fortunate that our lead at the top of the table has been maintained. As we all know each match begins at nil all, so we must listen to Stackie and put into practice what we learn at training during the week.
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