Match Report
Minors Premiers, St Michael’s 2Rs

Round 14:  St Michael’s 0 – Lindfield 0 Howson Oval

The determined face of victory.

Kitted up and with some nervous enthusiasm, the team gathered for the traditional prematch pep talk from PWCG with support from a very animated “Alexi” Sayle who mentioned that another weekly milestone beckoned; 2070 minutes in goal without defeat should we win or draw today. Nodding of heads, murmurs of agreement and the sight of Stewart “Gaffa Tape” Wewege warming up bode well for the game. What better news than the arrival of Pete Grantham, presumably just back from a 40km kayak trip and a warm up game of soccer masquerading as a very mature under 15s player for St Lucy’s special school in Wahroonga, and “Soft” Jock Kearney, who “couldn’t leave his girls in the lurch”. A number of replies crossed your correspondent’s mind at this moment, but in a moment of unlikely restraint, I turned and quietly assumed my position at right fullback.

So to the first half highlights……Well we began with some moments of enthusiasm, several potential opportunities went close and there were several villains in this regard. From an excellent R-O-H-E-A-T “scorching” free kick the ball lobbed to the roaming right fullback who found himself the recipient of the cross only to muff an opportunity to make significant contact and, despite Hughsie lunging at the back post the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Never one to be far from the action, Matt “Tommy Radonikis Conditioning & Training Manual” Middleton [MTRTMM] made several incisive runs and had shots which threatened all but our opposing goalie. A series of corners were well struck by PWCG and MTRTMM which were probably unlucky not to get more purchase from the tall timber attacking including Marc “Ray Martin’s toupee” Bineham, Chris “Voltaren” Tucker, Bish “Clare Valley Merlot” Bodjak and of course the ubiquitous Hughsie. Special mention should go to “Soft Jock”, whose return from a 2 game self-imposed exile on General Rambuka’s democratic island paradise inspired others to pass to him and he nearly rewarded the faithful with some great runs and shots. So by half time at 0-0 it had become apparent that we had the run of play, the majority of the shots, lacked finish and could show some more composure on the ball. The defence was stable without being spectacular and their chances were really basically form chip and chase scenarios. More commitment to the challenge would bring rewards in the second half. 2025 minutes and “Alexi” Sayle was still animated.

The determined face of victory II.

So, in the end the 0-0 result was enough to gain us a point and an unassailable lead on the points table. Minor Premiers indeed! Later in the day we learnt of other results which made today’s result unnecessary for the premiership. During the post-game celebrations with a bottle of “Cold Duck” sprayed over teammates by PWCG and Peroni beers, players looked sheepishly at one another when considering the man of the match points as they clearly struggled to find an excuse to award anyone more than one point. Familiar calls of R-O-H-I-T came from the usual source, himself.

However, the battle of the minds has begun as we have a 2 week wait to play again and try to get into the right mindset to be a force in the finals. As is becoming traditional, a strategy session will be held on Wednesday night at an alternate training venue. During that time, we will reflect on more words from Churchill: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat”. Next round please and roll on the finals.