Controversy Controversy - St Michael's 2R's rob in the dying minutes
Result:  St Michaels 2 - West Pymble 2
Goal Scorers:  Mathew Middleton & Scott Goodman

In second place and with some recent good form we were looking forward to taking on the competition leaders, West Pymble.  There was a quiet buzz amongst the team as we each knew that this game would prove how well we were travelling. A quiet motivation speech from our leader pumped the boys and we were ready to play.

The first half saw St Michael's running down hill.  The team started with enthusiasm and control but we certainly knew that we had a game on our hands.  Passes were finding players, we were finding empty spaces and it seem that we were gaining the upper hand.  Our centre four of Bowdy, Hughsie, Ian and P Baker had the game well in control.  Matt was again showing to be nippy as Fernando Torres and upon receiving a pass from a well constructed play through the midfield he took his time and slotted the ball past the keeper.  Matt keeps improving and on this occasion he even looked up to see where the keeper was before he took the shot. The only problem arising from the first half was the loss of Jock who succumbed to a muscle strain ending the warrior's performance for the day.

Half time came and Scotty, exhausted and struggling for a breath, asked Mark to address the boys. Mark who taken on the role of Manager for the day, told us that we were playing pretty attractive football but also said that if we got the next goal West Pymble would crumble. However, West Pymble are not coming first by chance and they came out hard.  They were continually pushing forward and in one raid on our goal their speedy right winger got around Bish took a shot, or was it a cross, that somehow got past Mark at the near post and we were back to 1 to 1.

West Pymble felt the game's momentum had changed and the number of raids on the St Michael's goal were on the increase. We now had a lot more players behind the ball than in front of the ball but the midfield and defence were combining to hold them out. Rohit, Ian, Steve, Hughsie, Bish and Paul were fantastic and closed everything down.  However, whilst we were grinding out our defence, we still had plenty to trouble them on the counter attack and in one of best end to end passing movements I have witnessed, the ball fell perfectly for Scott who sized up the keeper and shot a low hard shot into the bottom right corner.  The keeper did not have a chance.  2 to 1.

With 10 minutes to go, our focus now turn to full on defence. West Pymble threw everything they had at us seeking the equaliser.  Mark was continually tested but each time he showed the right amount of skill to defuse the shot. We thought we had their measure but football is a funny game and we never counted on the referee and linesman making a decision that will go down in folk lore. West Pymble took a free kick, it was fired into the 6 yard box and all hell broke loose.  No one could control the ball and on several occasions it was cleared off the line.  On the final occasion of the ball heading towards the goal, Bowdy somehow stopped it and a ruck began to form around the ball.  West Pymble and St Michael players joined the ruck and somehow Mark eventually got the ball into the his hands. 

Upon Mark kicking the ball up-field, West Pymble players brought to the referees attention that the linesman thought the ball had “just” gone over the line.  How could he see the ball going over the goal line? It was at the bottom of the ruck. All hell broke loose again, the goal was awarded and Paul B told the linesman how professional he was.  I don't think the referee and linesman agreed with Paul and you know what happened next.

No time was left to search for the next goal and so the game ended 2-2.  A tough, hard and enjoyable game of football from which we know that we can win this competition if we keep playing this way.

Why would you want to be anywhere else? 

The Top Ten sporting events, where the views are breathtaking, the action aplenty and victory sweet?

10. F1 - Monte Carlo
9. Pipeline Masters - Hawaii
8. Tour de France
7. Paris to Dakar rally
6. Wimbledon
7. Winter Olympics – Calgary (Katarina Witt for those who can’t remember the view)
6. Cliff Diving – Acapulco
5. City to Surf – Sydney
4. F1 Plane racing – France
3. Nakchu Horse Racing Festival – Himalayas
2. Riverview v Joey’s – Riverview
1. St. Michael’s v North Sydney Bears– Waverton

On a glorious autumn day in Sydney, the sunshine reflecting off architected skyscrapers,  just a slight hint of a breeze as the water laps the shore, the 2R’s were back at Waverton after a long absence. Perhaps the most picturesque football pitch on the planet.

Traditionally not a happy hunting ground for us (we won’t mention 2005!!!) there were hushed tones as we prepared for battle (a lack of players may have been a contributing factor). The squad uncharacteristically turned up in dribs and drabs drawing out the excitement for Captain Scott to pick his line-up.

Dispensing with the traditional on field stretch we huddled in football prayer as the latecomers franticly Denco-rubbed all bare flesh and strapped anything that seemed loose (I am still amazed at the versatility of duct tape)……Rick there is a sponsorship deal in there somewhere!!!!!!

Game-On….

A very composed St. Michael’s, with a new experimental structure were very much in control from the outset, the mini pitch suiting our pass it around approach. North Sydney on the other hand were playing your typical kick, run and whinge brand of football. The Ref, distracted by the view seemed to be ignoring the fact that a push in the back is in fact a push in the back.

 
As the first half continued there were forays into last week’s tactics of the long ball down field to see if we could run ourselves into the ground. Luckily this option created a number of corner opportunities with varying approaches (the Matt near post option…..2005…oops don’t go there!!!  And the Scotty alternate, I will show you all what I want!!!!).

In a well orchestrated and executed  throw in from Hughesie, flicked on from Scott’s head, Mark Bineham, in his new role as experimental speedy mid-fielder put the ball where it belonged. Goal 1-0.

The half time break saw a glowing review of the first-half; however all were forcefully reminded of the first 10 minute second-half rule.

Second-half on…To avoid a repeat of the previous week the first 25mins of the second-half were played at a furious pace, with constant interchanges and a sense of urgency. We had to score first. North Sydney were showing signs of imploding and their keeper appeared to be spending more and more time out of his area.  Another raid into North’s half and a clever flick on by Scott, put yours truly and the keeper in a race for the ball. A chip over his head.  Goal 2-0

With our confidence running high we pushed harder with numerous raids and chances…….It was only a matter of time. Lurking and waiting, his right foot well calibrated this season Matt sensed it was his turn and after some great build up from Scott and Rohit across the face of goal (and across again) before the ball went 20 feet up in the air, Matt pounced and headed home from the six yard box . Goal 3-0

North’s endeavoured to turn the game around, but with a sense of urgency and a desire not to see a repeat of week 1, the 2R’s lifted again. A great individual run from the half-way line by Steve beating 1,2,3 players before slotting a sweet sounding shot past the keeper. Goal 4-0

The final 10 minutes of the game continued in the same vain, pressure, pressure, pressure. With the North’s keeper continuing to venture off his line, Matt was again able to take the advantage, with a well timed chip. Goal 5-0.

The second game of the weekend and yet another picturesque football setting. This time Primrose Park. After overnight rain and a pool of water in the middle there was some prematch discussion about prosciutto & wine & picnics are what was supposed to be done on Sundays rather than wallowing on a wet pitch

With most though disregarding the water and applying the positive attitude from the previous day we were reminded not to take these guys lightly. With a neutral ref and linesmen Skipper Scott encouraged us to play.

From the opening few minutes this was headed and from the kickoff we were off. Multiple attacking raids with lots of goalkicks out the only result. After about 10 minutes with yet another attempt from a team of St Michael’s attackers to dribble the ball across the goal line the ball fell back to Blake who hammered home a straight drive drilled with  his left into the back of the net– and we were off.

Not long after, Matthew made a streaking run down the right and despite the multiple attackers taking tickets in the box for a shot he took Blakes lead and hammered it into the top right. 2- 0 early for the good guys.

Whilst not getting complacent Mark had most exercise doing chin-ups on the goal posts to stay alert as the rest of the team spent raiding in and around the penalty box and playing football. The half time chat reminded us that in the short competition goal difference may turn out to be important. Also they’d added two folks from their first team into the squad to boost their defence.

So further attack was the order of the day. Matthew adding to take a brace. Birthday Boy (Steve Smith) following a deft touch on scored a sitter. Another of the newboys Paul taking Blakes lead slotted his home. Bish then scored apparently with an assist from Mark Sayle – yes he had something to do in the second half ( I say apparently as I thought I’d get away with a minute or so to get the end of match refreshments – and missed seeing it)

At 6-0 with 5 mins to go we’d packed up mentally and one of their replacements from their 1sts went down our left defence and delivered a lovely cross to an unmarked player and again Mark had nothing to do – except pick the ball out of the back of the net.

Why would you want to be anywhere else? 

The Top Ten sporting events, where the views are breathtaking, the action aplenty and victory sweet?

10. F1 - Monte Carlo
9.   Pipeline Masters - Hawaii
8.   Tour de France
7.   Paris to Dakar rally
6.   Wimbledon
7.   Winter Olympics – Calgary (Katarina Witt for those who can’t remember the view)
6.   Cliff Diving – Acapulco
5.   City to Surf – Sydney
4.   F1 Plane racing – France
3.   Nakchu Horse Racing Festival – Himalayas
2.   Riverview v Joey’s – Riverview
1.   St. Michael’s v North Sydney Bears– Waverton

On a glorious autumn day in Sydney, the sunshine reflecting off architected skyscrapers,  just a slight hint of a breeze as the water laps the shore, the 2R’s were back at Waverton after a long absence. Perhaps the most picturesque football pitch on the planet.

Traditionally not a happy hunting ground for us (we won’t mention 2005!!!) there were hushed tones as we prepared for battle (a lack of players may have been a contributing factor). The squad uncharacteristically turned up in dribs and drabs drawing out the excitement for Captain Scott to pick his line-up.

Dispensing with the traditional on field stretch we huddled in football prayer as the latecomers franticly Denco-rubbed all bare flesh and strapped anything that seemed loose (I am still amazed at the versatility of duct tape)……Rick there is a sponsorship deal in there somewhere!!!!!!

Game-On….

A very composed St. Michael’s, with a new experimental structure were very much in control from the outset, the mini pitch suiting our pass it around approach. North Sydney on the other hand were playing your typical kick, run and whinge brand of football. The Ref, distracted by the view seemed to be ignoring the fact that a push in the back is in fact a push in the back.

As the first half continued there were forays into last week’s tactics of the long ball down field to see if we could run ourselves into the ground. Luckily this option created a number of corner opportunities with varying approaches (the Matt near post option…..2005…oops don’t go there!!!  And the Scotty alternate, I will show you all what I want!!!!).

In a well orchestrated and executed throw in from Hughesie, flicked on from Scott’s head, Mark Bineham, in his new role as experimental speedy mid-fielder put the ball where it belonged. Goal 1-0.

The half time break saw a glowing review of the first-half; however all were forcefully reminded of the first 10 minute second-half rule.

Second-half on…To avoid a repeat of the previous week the first 25mins of the second-half were played at a furious pace, with constant interchanges and a sense of urgency. We had to score first. North Sydney were showing signs of imploding and their keeper appeared to be spending more and more time out of his area.  Another raid into North’s half and a clever flick on by Scott, put yours truly and the keeper in a race for the ball. A chip over his head.  Goal 2-0

With our confidence running high we pushed harder with numerous raids and chances…….It was only a matter of time. Lurking and waiting, his right foot well calibrated this season Matt sensed it was his turn and after some great build up from Scott and Rohit across the face of goal (and across again) before the ball went 20 feet up in the air, Matt pounced and headed home from the six yard box . Goal 3-0

North’s endeavoured to turn the game around, but with a sense of urgency and a desire not to see a repeat of week 1, the 2R’s lifted again. A great individual run from the half-way line by Steve beating 1,2,3 players before slotting a sweet sounding shot past the keeper. Goal 4-0

The final 10 minutes of the game continued in the same vain, pressure, pressure, pressure. With the North’s keeper continuing to venture off his line, Matt was again able to take the advantage, with a well timed chip. Goal 5-0.