Soccer

First game of the season, against the best team in the league (Southport). We were down 2-0 by half time -- I didn't play particularly well or badly. Had to cover one of those guys that grabs you when the ref's not looking. But I was pulled at halftime, either for rotation or because they thought I wasn't playing that well. We got one back, then they scored another. I hate losing, and getting pulled. But it's part of the game. Still nags at me though.

No real injuries. No runs up, save for one corner kick that ended up nowhere near me.

The official report:


Rd01: South Port Utd
MPFC 1 v 3 Southport

Lofty ambition
New season, new coaches - exciting times in store for the 3rd team this year who are aiming to build on the progress made in the second half of last season and are seeking a top 3 finish. Fine example set by ex-coach Morris yesterday who turned up to support the team (even entering the changing room a la Houllier post-Istanbul 2005) and has promised to turn out for the 3rds in coming weeks ("You've got to get in the positions to miss them boys")

Yesterday's game was against Southport (2006 champions) - the corresponding fixture last term was a 7-1 defeat for Parkers but the home match was particularly memorable as a famous 1-0 victory so today's game could have been considered a taster as to how the new season will go.

New faces
The team did include a few new faces (Dave Godden, Robbo, Dave Plumb) but the team sheet had a ring of familiarity to it as the starting XI included 10 players who had played last season.

Warhorse Webster late exclusion
Due to a late non-appearance of the veteran Webster (rumours of a rampant whisky, drugs and gambling binge with 3 low class call girls (after the Sat night curfew) leading to a bust-up with Coach Wolst were denied by all parties; "Dem ho's gone done me a wrong" avowed Webster shaking his head), the captain's armband was handed to Irish lothario Tony Sheehan who settled into his familiar role at center-half (despite pre-season mutterings of a right-midfield berth (!)). As expected of such a model professional, Sheehan gave a typically rugged performance at the back winning numerous headers and challenges, complemented by his partner of Schnitzius - a more nimble player who coped with Southport's pacy attack well.

Harsh first half
It has to be said that the first goal was sloppy. Despite 'Tackler' Sheehan's urgings, the defence was slow to come out from a half-cleared corner and Southport found a way through to an attacker who was left pretty much in the clear to slot past Wolst's dive. Coach Ammers on the side shook his head in disgust. "This was not what I had envisaged" he exclaimed.

After the restart, MP3 began to play some nice football. There were a few passes strung together, including some nice play round the edge of the box resulting in a flick over the head of a defender to present Leon with a shooting chance where the keeper had positioned himself nicely and a few wayward shots from distance which arose from some nice approach work from Rod, Leon, Mike (and others)

Credit especially must be given to Rod Stalenberg who put in an encouraging and energetic performance upfront. Definitely his most effective half to date. He was bundled over whilst bearing down on goal and MP3 were awarded a free kick just outside the box. After some small handbags from Sproston and Ledger over which 'sweet left foot' ™ would take it, Ledger hit a beauty against the crossbar. There was some confusion as to whether this bounced down over the line but nothing was given and the ball was scrambled away…and away…and away down the other end where their winger rounded a defender and put in a fine cross which was flicked in to the far corner by the Southport striker. It was a very good goal but harsh on Middle Park who had been attacking for the previous 10 minutes or so.

A new power rises
Second half saw a few changes made (Dylan for Storm, Leon for Robbo, Schnitzius for Looch) and Middle Park continued to try to play a bit of football. There were a few half chances - Sean trundled a shot in front of the keeper which he fumbled and Mick Sproston was unlucky on the rebound which he flicked through the keepers' legs ('megs!') only for a defender to knock it off the line. Then MP3 had a bit of a break. Sproston arced over a free kick that was not cleared and Robbo steamed in with a squeal of "Robbo's" and nodded it over the keeper's head to put us right back in with a shout. It was a goal the debutant's performance deserved as he had come on at half-time and put himself about well and has deffo given the coaches some food for thought…

There was now a concerted spell of pressure for MP3. A few dangerous balls came over but fitness had now begun to tell. Stalenberg and Ledger were withdrawn for Ammers and Dave P and MP3 switched to a 3-5-2 as they pressed for an equaliser. Paulo had a couple of sniffs at goal but to no avail. Ammers played very well when he came on - probably his most telling contribution was to head a goalbound effort from under his own bar to keep us in with a shout. If he keeps this sort of form up, he may threaten the starting XI?

As a consequence of Middle Park commiting to attack, gaps began to appear at the back (exacerbated by fatigue following a limited pre-season where nobody had played a full 90 minutes) and it was only down to some excellent goal keeping from Ads that the scoreline remained 2-1. He made numerous one on one saves and an excellent tip away from a low shot - the Dutch coach clearly demonstrated that he means business this year.

Scandalous
A few minutes before the end with MP3 being frustrated in their efforts, Southport broke away to knock a 3rd in. This was a harsh denouement to the game as a draw had looked a fair result but that little bit of fitness told in the end - it is clear that this is an area that we can and should work on if we are to progress this season.

And finally...
Next week is a visit to Caulfield. This is a game MP should seek to take maximum points from if a top 3 finish is to be a realistic target but we can approach it with some optimism given the encouraging performance yesterday