soccer

Here's this week's recap. Unfortunately, I was a little more involved in this match. Not only was the first penalty called on me (a crap call), but the "lax defending on the right wing" was me, too; I got beat, when I shouldn't have. So, the first too goals of theirs were my doing. For the third, while the play didn't come down my side, I still should have and could have been covering the goal line when our keeper left the line to try to smother the shot. Phooey. Only one game left to redeem myself, and it's not for two weeks.

Injuries: a rough one; one shot took the breath out of one of my lungs. Another clearance caught me full in the face. I took an elbow to my right bicep that I know will surface as one of those blue-yellow bruises in a few days. Scraped my left knee. Only twinged my hurt ankle a little.

Shots: I had one shot (described below) that went high and wide. Whiffed at a late volley that would have been the equalizer too.

The recap:

HIGHWAY ROBBERY
(by Leon Ochsenbein)

MPFC 2 vs Vermont 3
Goalscorers: Gavin Price 1, Rob "Roberto Carlos" Ledger 1

In the second last round of the season MPFC went down 3-2 to title challenging Vermont in a spiteful and controversial game of football. Warm sunshine greeted both sets of players, with strong winds towards the St Kilda end.

The game got off to a cracking start with Vermont producing a chance to score within 1 minute of kick off. MPFC woke up and matched Vermont player for player in the first 15 minutes. Richard Abbey and Paolo Maldini superbly marshalled the backline and Vermont were struggling to break through. Alas, for MPFC a penalty was awared to Vermont that clearly shouldn't have been, Mark Schnitzius winning the ball cleanly in the box, with the referee (one of the worst all season) blowing for a spot kick. Vermont's striker duly disptached the penalty for an undeserved 1-0 lead. MPFC were quickly back in the game with some good forward work between Ochsenbein, Tinkaz and Ledger. 25 minutes into the game Ochsenbein was fouled 20 yards out from the Vermont goal. Quick thinking Price dispatched the free kick into an unguarded net fooling the Vermont defence who were caught napping. MPFC were every bit the match of Vermont for the next 10 minutes, but were undone by some lax defending on the right wing, allowing the Vermont winger to cross to his fellow striker unmarked, who couldnt miss from 6 yards. Poor refereeing decision number 2 would soon follow when a Vermont defender kicked the ball against his own hand and controlled it inside the box. A clear penalty most would have thought, but not today for MPFC. 5 minutes later Ochsenbein won a free kick on the left wing, 25 yards out from goal. Rob "Roberto Carlos" Ledger struck a swinging shot at the Vermont keeper who gave his best impression of David Seaman, flapping at the cross/shot for a deserved equaliser. In the next 10 minutes MPFC dominated Vermont, with many on the sideline thinking it was MPFC who were challenging for the title, not Vermont. Carnibella was unlucky when he struck a shot from 12 yards across the face of goal which was saved well by the Vermont keeper. Ledger was next to get in on the act, his strike from 20 yards going narrowly over the bar. Ochsenbein was unlucky not to score when he pushed the ball past the Vermont right back, and sprinted 30 metres to strike a shot on goal which was saved well again by the Vermont keeper. Ironically, the referee blew for half time just as MPFC were putting together a counter attack. It seemed the referee couldn't take a trick. 2-2 at half-time, with many feeling MPFC deserved to be in the lead.

The break worked against MPFC as the momentum they had built up in the last 10 minutes of the first half had been lost. The first 10 minutes of the second half saw the ball mostly in the midfield, rarely getting to the forwards of each team. Vermont put together some good chances but could not break through, the MPFC defence standing firm. Some rash challenges began to creep into the game, unfortunately for MPFC the referee did not want to penalise Vermont and allowed some poor challenges off scot free. Price was given a yellow card for next to nothing, when some of the Vermont players put tackles in from behind and didn't receive any sort of card. The breakthrough for Vermont came 20 minutes into the second half when their lightning fast centre foward turned the MPFC defence inside out and slotted home from 10 yards, leaving no chance for keeper Wolst. Vermont were now starting to get on top, and only a superb save from Wolst kept them out. With 10 minutes to go MPFC started to get back some of the rhythm they had in the first half and were unlucky not to equalise when Schnitzius shot narrowly wide from 20 yards. With 2 minutes to go a cross from the right wing by Ochsenbein was met by Carnibella at the back post and saved once again by the Vermont keeper, who was having a blinder (apart from his goal kicks). From the resultant corner, Abbey struck a fierce shot from 12 yards which unluckily caught Ochsenbein's heel, summing up MPFC's luck for the day. The final whistle blew, for an undeserved 3-2 victory to Vermont, who were thankful to escape with 3 points and keep their title hopes alive. Next round sees MPFC take on Marcellin Eagles for the final round of the season, with MPFC expecting a victory to cap off a much improved second half of the season.

Best On Ground: Jason Carnibella
Worst On Ground: The referee (the worst we have seen, thats saying something)

Soccer

Last week's game recap. Notice there is no mention of me. This is not because I didn't play; it's just because it was one of those games where I was completely invisible. Happens sometimes.

A FOUR GOAL BAG FULL aka OWN GOAL MAYHEM
(by Leon Ochsenbein)

Caulfield Cougars 2 vs MPFC 2
Scorers (MPFC): Own goal, Rob Ledger
Scorers (Caulfied Cougars): Tom John 1, Brian Donlevy 1!

In a scrappy game, MPFC drew 2-2 with Caulfield Cougars, repeating their result earlier in the season. In the process, their own goal tally has increased to 9 for the season, ominously close to double figures. Blustery conditions greeted both sets of players on another cold August morning, and a pitch that resembled the surface of Mars, or a cauliflower patch.

For once this season, Middle Park were quick to get out of 1st gear. Within 2 minutes, Ledger struck the up right from 18 yards out as the Cougars defence failed to shut him down. Unfortunately, Morris could not finish the rebound from 6 yards out. The Cougars players were not quick to shut down MPFC forwards and another chance was presented to Morris from Pearson, which was saved well by the Cougars keeper (who , it must be said was an indominatable presence in their goals). Another chance was created in the 20th minute when a long ball was chested down by Ochsenbein on the left wing who dribbled to the byline and crossed to Price, who could not finish. 2 minutes later stand in keeper Brooks peformed a superb save from 6 yards out, as a result in a lapse in concentration in the MPFC defence that was otherwise well marshalled by Alan "terrier" Marson. MPFC were playing well and went 1-0 down in an unlucky fashion, as a right wing cross was headed into the MPFC net by Tom John. This only spurred MPFC on more, who felt hard done by the scoreline, to equalise 5 minutes before half time. A cross by Ledger on the left wing was met superbly by Price at the back post, with his header rocketing into the crossbar and rebounding clear. The Cougar's keeper did not react quickly enough when the ball rebounded into his quite substantial midriff, and into the net for 1 own goal apiece at half time.

The second half started well for MPFC, winning the majority of exchanges in the midfield and forward line. Gusting winds made it difficult for players to judge their passes correctly and get a decent shot on target. Donlevy was unlucky not to score 20 minutes into the second half after he headed a cross from John on the right wing onto the upright. Price continued to do a superb job marshalling the midfield, and further chances to MPFC did not result in a goal. It became clear with both sides finding conditions extremely difficult to play in that a goal would come about by an element of luck. Alas, for MPFC that luck went to the Cougars. A cross from the left Cougars wing was inadvertently directed into the MPFC net past a wrong-footed Brooks who could not be blamed for the goal in any way. 2-1 to Cougars with 15 minutes remaining, with MPFC scoring both goals for them. MPFC set about getting an equaliser immediatley when an exchange between Ledger, Ochsenbein and Morris resulted in a shot from Morris going narrowly over the bar. Morrison was inches from scoring when a throw in on the left wing was flicked on by Ochsenbein, and volley from 20 yards out, narrowly going wide. MPFC got the equaliser they finally deserved when Morris was fouled just on the edge of the box, on the right wing. Perfect for left-footed Ledger, whose free kick defeated the Cougars keeper who showed the mobility of a Boeing 747. MPFC had a couple of minutes to search for a winner, and came close when a shot from 23 yards by Ochsenbein was tipped over the bar by the Cougars keeper. Soon after, the final whistle was blown. MPFC had to settle for a draw, when they felt they deserved a victory.

Next week sees MPFC take on Vermont, who shocked the footballing world when they destroyed league leaders Southport United 5-1 and find themselves locked on equal points with Kooyong and Southport. MPFC will be looking to spoil Vermont's title aspirations in what could be a blockbuster match.

Best On Ground: Gavin Price

Book

Finished Cordwainer Smith's "Norstrilia". Good.

Movies

Rented "Being Julia" (good) and "Nowhere In Africa" (good) last night.

Movie

We had a free pass (sent to me for my birthday) to the Palace George, so we went and saw "The Island", figuring that it can't be that bad, starring Ewan McGregor, Steve Buscemi, and Scarlet Johannsen.

What a noisome waste of celluloid.

Movies

The other night I caught "Sunset Blvd." on TV. I've been wanting to see it for a long while. It was great.

Rented "Kinsey" (good) and "The Dish" (good) last night.

soccer

Our five game undefeated streak is over. We lost 3-0, thanks in large part to me.

The team we played was young and fast. I was in at right back. For the first goal I got beaten down the line basically on speed, and the guy got a good cross in to the far post that was put away cleanly.

Second goal was a corner kick that came in to the near post, and I Escobar'ed it. I hate that. Right off my chest.

Third goal was a miscommunication between our keeper and sweeper that they pounced on.

Still, they're second place in the league, and two of their goals were soft.

No shots, one decent run up was all.

Injuries: I played on my sprained ankle again, which probably wasn't smart, but I survived. I definitely felt it after a misdirected lunge. I iced it down straight away, and it's okay, but I might skip next week's game if it's not improved.

CDs

Recently picked up Lucinda Williams' "Sweet Old World", Frank Blacks "Honeycomb", and Fountains of Wayne's "Out Of State Plates". All are quite delicious.

Soccer

Here's the official account of Sunday's match. My commentary afterwards:

THE JUGGERNAUT ROLLS ON
(by Leon O.)

Olympiakos East Kew 1 vs MPFC 1
Scorers: Gavin P.

For the fifth successive week, the Middle Park thirds remain undefeated. A big portion of the media has attributed this to the fact that the teams that they have defeated were below them on the ladder. On Sunday the Parkers finally came of age, pulling off a 1-1 draw against a championship contending team.

Fresh in the minds of the players was the 8-0 pasting OEK gave MPFC earlier on in the season, which was the lowest point of the season so far. A side virtually unrecognizable from that day took the field, and promptly got on top of OEK in the early stages of the game. The back four of Richie A. (who has been sorely missed), Paolo M., Mark S. and Joe M. were superbly marshalled by Ad W. In the midfield Alan M. fought like a terrier for every single ball and Jason C. resembled Ryan Giggs with his left wing play. The OEK defence was having a hard time coping with leading scorers Tansel and Leon O., Leon lead many a defender on a merry dance with his dazzling dribbling skills, at one stage beating 4 defenders on the left wing resulting in a cross to Tansel, with the shot going wide. A sign of the frustration of OEK was the number of fouls committed, which was reaching ridicuolous levels. Unfortunately for the Parkers, none could be converted into goals, despite numerous close calls. As the half stretched on OEK got back into the game utilising their pacey wingers. Late in the half OEK won a corner, which was headed onto the post, and luckily did not go in. At half time the score stood at 0-0.

The second half began as a much more equal affair, with the OEK midfielders winning more of the ball. With the defence standing firm, OEK were not winning any clear chances, but alas, a loose ball fell to an OEK striker who managed to miss hit the ball into the MPFC goal for an undeserved 1-0 OEK lead. This only spurred the Parkers on to fight even harder for the game, with chance after chance being created, but none going in. Alan Marson let this passion spill over and earned himself his sixth yellow card of the season after pushing over an OEK player who stood in his way (note: the OEK player fell over like a 5 year old girl). OEK were matching the Parkers player for player, and had a good chance to go 2-0 up, but couldnt finish. As the half drew on, a free kick was won on the left wing for MPFC. This resulted in an incredible goal mouth goal scramble, which again did not yield a goal for the Parkers. The clearance from the OEK defence went straight to Alan Marson, who struck a pile driver from 25 yards which hit the bar and was followed up by Gavin P. who could not finish. With 4 minutes left on the clock Leon Ochsenbein won free kick number 78 after being hacked by 3 OEK defenders at the same time. Simon M. swung over a superb cross, which Gavin P. headed perfectly into the OEK goal off the post for a deserved equaliser. The last 5 minutes of the game saw numerous surges forward, which unfortunaley did not result in a winner. 1-1 the match ended, being a fair reflection of the game. Next week sees the Parkers take on Kooyong Japanese Football Club to extend their unbeaten run. This shapes up to be the toughest test yet for the Parkers, as Kooyong are a side that would be more at home in the same league as the seniors, and have a goal difference of +50. Reserve your tickets now.

Best on Ground: Mark Schnitzius.


"Best on Ground"? No way. What actually happened on the first goal was this: they lofted the ball forward. The man I was covering backed into me, as I lost the ball in the sun. I put my hands on the guy's back; he folded like a ragdoll and cried out for the ref (like so many strikers do). So I backed off straight away. The ref didn't call it, and the ball ended up falling back to the guy, who was now standing back up, unguarded. He put it away calmly, and I don't think it was a "miss hit". My fault, truth be told.

Still, I came away from the game quite happy, because it was a good team victory. Well, "tie", but it felt like a victory.

Gavin scored the beautiful equaliser with tissue stuffed up one nostril from an earlier foul that gave him a nosebleed; if that's not BOG material, I don't know what is.

Injuries: I played the game with my ankle not fully healed. It held up fine but swelled up again afterwards. Still swollen, actually, but I've been doing the RICE thing.