31 May 2009 , Kingsford Smith
St Michaels 2R  [3] v Chatswood Rangers [1]
Goal scorers: Wayne S, Matt M, Scott G
 
To be honest this is not an easy match report for me to write. Match reports have lately been getting rather long with the last one stepping up to being a chapter book. I meant to get my note book and pen out at half time to jot down some contemporary items for padding out the report but I was too overwhelmed by the incredible action of the first half to do it.

For me, match preparations commenced on Monday when the call came through from Captain Scott of the Antarctic slipped through amongst the avalanche of emails that I was up. What beers did I think the lads would like to soothe their parched souls post match on Saturday? No idea but as our intrepid keeper Mark (stockings) Sayle reminded me at the petrol station Saturday morning – “don’t get VB”.

And so the game approached.

Arriving at the game 15 minutes ahead of kick-off I adjourned to the grandstand to complete dressing and found our two poms, boyfriend and girlfriend was it?, also availing themselves of the facilities and remarking it was a wonder they hadn’t thought to do so at previous matches.

But enough of the idle preparations and onto the pitch where I learned from Scott that he was making some significant tactical alterations considering it had turned out a large number of the team do not in fact regard soccer as the core of their being and were simply not going to turn up. At first I was not sure if Scott was pulling my leg when he outlined that Wayne (pleased to meet you) Sandy would be playing in the midfield today. My confusion was not helped when he sarcastically added that Wayne was quite good at passing. Perhaps he had been having me on or maybe had got cold feet in the mud at the pre-match inspection (left your knives in the changing rooms have we boys) I was thinking as I noticed Wayne line up in his usual starting position to the west of the pitch proper.

The match started and it soon became obvious the back half of the team were on a mission this day. Perhaps it was the presence of backs captain Marc on the playing field, it is hard to say from the other end, but they seemed determined to pass the ball between each other with Marc leading by example with deft feints, shimmies and slicing deliveries to tease the Chatswood attackers. Before too long as everyone I presumed presumed, Club Captain Dominic (roving commission) Fitzgerald, facilitated the inevitable and we were one nil down.

Truth be known the midfield were putting up their hands this game. After a slow start to the season they’ve been warming up to it the last few games.  With the Chatswood midfield also playing strongly the opportunities at either end were rare. After about 15 minutes Wayne did come on in the mid-field and to everyones complete surprise, after making absolutely nothing of all his numerous chances for the past season and more, got one to go in the net. It was quite a good goal actually. Wayne fancies the outside of his foot (he used nothing else for the remainder of the game) and after some good passing where the team went wide and back and back across, the ball was laid back for Wayne who must have been duly inspired by the effort made by his mates to afford him another chance.

The match proceeded with the backs continuing to pursue their distinct brand of the beautiful game all under the watchful eyes of our proper unbiased officials (and Rick (I do it my way, the Versace way, on such a beautiful day)) Candido. The superb proper official linesman was seen at one stage running the line from the middle of the field. This reminds me I must try to get up to one of the referee associations training nights followed by a friendly beer at the Pymble Hotel. Yes sir if you happen to be in that vicinity on a Wednesday evening be sure to drop in for some entertainment.

We were starting to remind Chatswood of our previous flogging of them towards the end of the half and one or 2 balls were now arriving ominously amongst the confused Rangers (they’re swapping you take him or shall I keep going) defenders and Stewart (I’m left footed you know) Wewege delivered a peach of a cross right onto the Middleton melon for only my ninth goal of the season. 2-1 at the break and off to listen to another inspiring pep talk.

The half time analysis seemed to concentrate fairly evenly across the team structure. The backs thought the midfield were leaving too many gaps. The midfield thought there was no point in passing to the forwards and the forwards were simply in awe of the backs skilful beautiful play. All seemed right with the world but then Scott dropped in another was he being sarcastic remark when he claimed that if we just go out there and put 2 quick ones in then that’ll be it game over. Now tired and emotional as I was some maths insisted on travelling out from my subconscious which arrived at the scoreline of 4-1. Sure Scott, 4-1, signed sealed and delivered.

Perhaps this final clanger galvanised the team. Or perhaps standing around waiting for these proper officials to decide to restart the game froze the team but the balls coming through to the right of the field really dried up now. Still, I thought, not to worry, main job this week is the match report, just make sure you note who scores all the goals.

The backs deserve a special mention though. Stoic creatures they are they really carried the result home this half with gritty determined defending against a much improved Lindfield team (no wait on that was the blue team the week before when we drew 4 all after blowing a 4-1 lead – lest we forget). And stoic they were as they persevered with their nuances, dalliances and flirtations. So much so that a remarkable milestone was achieved in this match...they passed the ball back to Sayley!!! Well we all knew we’re in for a treat here. The ball having arrived with plenty of party time available before any attacker could intervene, was touched ahead, then nudged to the right, then drafted back to the left!!! and finally embroidered ahead to a Chatswood player who seconds before had simply been a lone enraptured spectator like the rest of us. What he did with the ball I can’t remember, it and the rest of the game pales into insignificance.

Mark, Marc, Dom, Pete, Ian, we salute you and also the midfield of Hughesy, Bish, Bowdy, Steve, and Stew who worked their butts off.

The last thing that happened was our intrepid el capitano scored from the spot after a Chatswood defender on his 2nd attempt managed to fell someone, in the box. What a knucklehead...the defender of course