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A GOOD EFFORT !!!!
Sundays game was not going to be a easy one. Playing a
team that are flying high in the division and also in the semi finals of the
John Lusted cup. I couldn't help thinking on my way to Palmer Park that is
was going to be a high scoring game. Then to make matters worse Hightower
calls me as said that he is down to 10 players and he needs to take back Mig
and also Raff not the call I wanted to hear when we were about to play RG
Two. Then Guppy informs me that Nathan has got the flu and he wont be making
it either.
Still onwards and upwards and sometimes we have to play
with the cards that we are dealt with.
Now this left me with a selection dilemma with three
outright center forwards and not enough midfielders. So I had to make a
decision and may I add that a decision that I am glad I made by putting Jeff
in the middle of the park along with Andy P (Who knows now Jeff may have
given me another problem as he seemed to fit into the role like he has been
playing in the middle of the park for quite a while well played mate)
Defence has a different look to it but again a more
determined look to it as well with Mark Maskell playing out of his skin and
he gave 90 minutes of pure commitment and also composure that everybody
should look at and take a leaf out of his book. On the other side of the
back line was the ever youthful Budda who was having his first game back for
nearly a year and a half who again like Maskell was outstanding and never
showed lack of fitness or even commitment or passion. In the middle was also
two very solid performances from the evergreen Mahoney and Guppy. Getting
his debut in goal for the Bank was Pete who commanded his back four with
plenty of advice and vision and for a big lad showed plenty of agility when
getting down low to balls that may of looked goal bound.
On either of the wings were the Drisscol Twins I mean the
Macarthur brothers who were up and down like a fiddlers elbows. Again a
solid performance from these two. Leaving only two more heroes left to
mention Holton and the fitness freak Harvey who also had a good game but a
mountain in front of them.
Now with our ref being ran over on the way to the ground this
meant that I had to find a whistle & flags and ref myself. What a great job
I did as well giving myself man of the match............
Kick of and we going blow for blow with them and not only
holding our own but maybe the team on top for the first 20 minutes or so
keeping the game at 0-0 and no side really looking like scoring either. Then
like a bolt from the blue they take the lead 0-1 to Rg Two and totally
against the run of play. For the first time since I have been looking after
the reserves the heads remained high and again we go back into battle. Boys
I was proud of all of you after the way we dealt with the first goal. Then
just to add fuel to the fire we concede again 0-2. But once again we go
straight back into battle and with sounding like I repeating myself again I
am proud once again that our heads don't drop.
Now 0-2 and half time approaching the ref (ME) gives the
bank a free kick just outside the box. Guppy commands the balls and places
it on the ground then with a sweet right foot connects perfectly only to be
denied by the woodwork. Halftime and 0-2.
Halftime team talk I hardly said a word and was amazed by
the buzz the lads were creating not one of them thought that we were beaten
yet and still thinking that with the wind behind us the game was not yet
over.
Second half started and again a very evenly matched contest
with both sides getting stuck right in. Then they do it again and we are
trailing 0-3 but still my eyes cant believe my boys are still battling and
prepared to go toe to toe and challenge every ball. Then we concede another
0-4 down but not out eh and keep on fighting. A late sub bringing off the
fighting for breath Harvey who had given all he had to give and was running
steam and fast, he was replaced by Lee who also made his Southbank debut and
he started very brightly as well. Both he and Holton linked up well and we
started to annoy there back four. Then at last we get what we deserve a
consolation goal 0-4 Holton chipping the keeper and could have made it 2 in
the dying minutes.Not to be.
Lads a good all round performance with everyone shining
together as a unit and something to build on. Boys we all now that we are
not going to win the league but last Sunday was enjoyable being part of a
team that wanted to compete. More of the same next Sunday please. Well done
all from the keeper to the top two.
TEAM: Pete, Maskell, Booth, Mahoney, Guppy, Ali
MacArthur, Evans, Persaud, Andy MacArthur, Holton, Harvey
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