SENIORS v Fitzroy City
Round 2 - 12/04/2008
Round 2 - 12/04/2008
HOME TO HA SMITH, AT LONG LAST!
Surely one of the biggest questions in the club's history was about to be answered. Could Scotch match it with the big boys? Fitzroy City, a side who were only relegated on goal difference from State League Div 3 in 2007, would surely be the biggest test for the club since it left HA Smith Reserve in 1996. With Doug out from Round 1, and Jewy & Truonga carrying injuries into the game for the Seniors, together with Pallis & Jaryd out suspended for the Reserves, Round 2 would surely be a far more difficult proposition for the Red, Royal & Gold. Amid the uncertainty another question needed to be answered: Would HA Smith become "The Fortress", as it is more fondly known to some of the Old Scotch faithful? Old Scotch last played a competitive game @ HA Smith Reserve in the dying winter months of 1996. Some 12 years later they were back to their spiritual home to once again grace the hallowed HA turf. Let's find out what happened.
And so the sun rose on another Saturday. The mighty Reds strode into the glorious surrounds that are HA Smith with one thing on their minds: how rotten is Bondy's pre game ritual going to smell today? With the aforementioned avoiding curry on Friday, and subsequent disaster averted, the boys set their minds to the game at hand.
Fitzroy; narrowly relegated from State 3 in 2007, and holding on to the majority of their players, were always going to be a tough opponent.
The first half consisted of at least 35 minutes of breathtaking defense. Bondy, Roo and Stu absorbed relentless pressure as the opposition came at us in waves. Whilst this attacking was persistent, the pill very rarely found its way goalward with any venom, Giesh called upon to claim a couple in the air, but little more. The most excitement for Scotch in this half came when one of the hamstrings Jewy had borrowed from his 12-year-old female cousin popped under the strain of his enormous frame. This brought first team virgin, little T-Muz into the fray (and let's face it, he's not too bad that kid). Despite the enormous burden placed on the defensive unit, they held strong and the men in red trudged back to the change rooms at the end of the half with a 0-0 score line under their belts.
The mood was somber as seats were taken, with a view that we were lucky to be coming in on par? A stirring half time speech from the strange little man with the curly hair had us looking at the positives given we were still in the match and Football (yes, that's right Football for all you heathens who don't understand we had it first); can be won or lost in seconds.
And so the team, united, made their way out for (what turned out to be) the final 52 minutes of the match. Within 3 minutes, the sleeping giant awoke, with a great attacking run ending in a corner being awarded to the good guys. The Mouse, in customary fashion, whipped in a corner that perplexed the defending hordes. Spilling from head to head it finally fell to, yes dear reader, you read correctly when I say the shortest man on the field, little T-Muz, who obligingly nodded it in, first opportunity, first goal, well done young man!!!
The following 10 minutes produced what can only be described as an avalanche of attacking pressure from the rejuvenated Scotchies, and within 4 minutes of the restart Fielding found himself at the corner flag once again looking at the nervous faces of the Fitzroy defensive unit. Understandably so as another pin point corner picked out Chris Harley at the near post who, decided that, since no one felt like marking him, he should thank them by heading the ball straight into the back of the old onion bag. 2-0 and the crowd erupted into a frenzy of pure delight.
As if the humiliation they were suffering was not enough, Fitzroy then conspired, no more than 4 minutes later, to allow an attacking movement down the right to end at the feet of the midfield giant John Clark who expertly turned his hapless marker and; I would like to say whipped, but really he kind of dribbled it past the opposing glove cheat for the third. By now, the crowd was cheering, flags were waving and Beamer had hugged a passing Rastafarian (who he hasn't been able to get off since).
With a 3-0 lead and a forward line who had spent all their fuel tickets running backward and forward in the attempt to both score and defend, Scotch settled back into a defensive pattern, once again repelling the invading hordes.
It was with heavy heart that I have to report that, whilst I am sure it was dumb luck, the opposing striker did manage to slam a shot past our otherwise solid defense with 20 minutes to go. A spark then lit in the visitors as they started to get the feeling that they may just be able to score after all.
The remaining 20 minutes consisted of more of the same our defensive unit had been experiencing for much of the game and with 10 minutes to go, Fitzroy were given a lifeline when one of their players went tumbling in the goal box and the man in black pointed directly to the spot. As the penalty-taker stepped up and politely asked Giesh to move away from the ball so he could kick it, the tension was palpable. A firm strike to his left was picked by our very own man in green and the roar from the sideline could be heard as the ball struck his outstretched hands and was propelled out for a corner.
With a further 7 minutes added to the traditional 45 minute half, Scotch continued to send the ball to the four corners of the field as Fitzroy became more and more frustrated with each other. When the final whistle blew mighty celebrations had by the blokes from Scotch, and much deserved they were.
It is important to note, folks, that the defensive effort was one that took 11 players, it is one that held firm from the front to the back and put us in the position to win this game. We did not steal it, we won it; we were better on the day. 4 chances, 3 goals, now that's a conversion rate!!
3-1 the final score
Surely one of the biggest questions in the club's history was about to be answered. Could Scotch match it with the big boys? Fitzroy City, a side who were only relegated on goal difference from State League Div 3 in 2007, would surely be the biggest test for the club since it left HA Smith Reserve in 1996. With Doug out from Round 1, and Jewy & Truonga carrying injuries into the game for the Seniors, together with Pallis & Jaryd out suspended for the Reserves, Round 2 would surely be a far more difficult proposition for the Red, Royal & Gold. Amid the uncertainty another question needed to be answered: Would HA Smith become "The Fortress", as it is more fondly known to some of the Old Scotch faithful? Old Scotch last played a competitive game @ HA Smith Reserve in the dying winter months of 1996. Some 12 years later they were back to their spiritual home to once again grace the hallowed HA turf. Let's find out what happened.
And so the sun rose on another Saturday. The mighty Reds strode into the glorious surrounds that are HA Smith with one thing on their minds: how rotten is Bondy's pre game ritual going to smell today? With the aforementioned avoiding curry on Friday, and subsequent disaster averted, the boys set their minds to the game at hand.
Fitzroy; narrowly relegated from State 3 in 2007, and holding on to the majority of their players, were always going to be a tough opponent.
The first half consisted of at least 35 minutes of breathtaking defense. Bondy, Roo and Stu absorbed relentless pressure as the opposition came at us in waves. Whilst this attacking was persistent, the pill very rarely found its way goalward with any venom, Giesh called upon to claim a couple in the air, but little more. The most excitement for Scotch in this half came when one of the hamstrings Jewy had borrowed from his 12-year-old female cousin popped under the strain of his enormous frame. This brought first team virgin, little T-Muz into the fray (and let's face it, he's not too bad that kid). Despite the enormous burden placed on the defensive unit, they held strong and the men in red trudged back to the change rooms at the end of the half with a 0-0 score line under their belts.
The mood was somber as seats were taken, with a view that we were lucky to be coming in on par? A stirring half time speech from the strange little man with the curly hair had us looking at the positives given we were still in the match and Football (yes, that's right Football for all you heathens who don't understand we had it first); can be won or lost in seconds.
And so the team, united, made their way out for (what turned out to be) the final 52 minutes of the match. Within 3 minutes, the sleeping giant awoke, with a great attacking run ending in a corner being awarded to the good guys. The Mouse, in customary fashion, whipped in a corner that perplexed the defending hordes. Spilling from head to head it finally fell to, yes dear reader, you read correctly when I say the shortest man on the field, little T-Muz, who obligingly nodded it in, first opportunity, first goal, well done young man!!!
The following 10 minutes produced what can only be described as an avalanche of attacking pressure from the rejuvenated Scotchies, and within 4 minutes of the restart Fielding found himself at the corner flag once again looking at the nervous faces of the Fitzroy defensive unit. Understandably so as another pin point corner picked out Chris Harley at the near post who, decided that, since no one felt like marking him, he should thank them by heading the ball straight into the back of the old onion bag. 2-0 and the crowd erupted into a frenzy of pure delight.
As if the humiliation they were suffering was not enough, Fitzroy then conspired, no more than 4 minutes later, to allow an attacking movement down the right to end at the feet of the midfield giant John Clark who expertly turned his hapless marker and; I would like to say whipped, but really he kind of dribbled it past the opposing glove cheat for the third. By now, the crowd was cheering, flags were waving and Beamer had hugged a passing Rastafarian (who he hasn't been able to get off since).
With a 3-0 lead and a forward line who had spent all their fuel tickets running backward and forward in the attempt to both score and defend, Scotch settled back into a defensive pattern, once again repelling the invading hordes.
It was with heavy heart that I have to report that, whilst I am sure it was dumb luck, the opposing striker did manage to slam a shot past our otherwise solid defense with 20 minutes to go. A spark then lit in the visitors as they started to get the feeling that they may just be able to score after all.
The remaining 20 minutes consisted of more of the same our defensive unit had been experiencing for much of the game and with 10 minutes to go, Fitzroy were given a lifeline when one of their players went tumbling in the goal box and the man in black pointed directly to the spot. As the penalty-taker stepped up and politely asked Giesh to move away from the ball so he could kick it, the tension was palpable. A firm strike to his left was picked by our very own man in green and the roar from the sideline could be heard as the ball struck his outstretched hands and was propelled out for a corner.
With a further 7 minutes added to the traditional 45 minute half, Scotch continued to send the ball to the four corners of the field as Fitzroy became more and more frustrated with each other. When the final whistle blew mighty celebrations had by the blokes from Scotch, and much deserved they were.
It is important to note, folks, that the defensive effort was one that took 11 players, it is one that held firm from the front to the back and put us in the position to win this game. We did not steal it, we won it; we were better on the day. 4 chances, 3 goals, now that's a conversion rate!!
3-1 the final score
Match Report - Seniors 2008
 |
|
 |
|
|
Fixtures & Results
|
|
 |
- Seniors
|
 |
- Reserves
|
 |
- Thirds
|
 |
- Fourths
|
 |
|
|
Ladders
|
|
 |
- Seniors
|
 |
- Reserves
|
 |
- Thirds
|
 |
- Fourths
|
|
History
|
|
 |
|
 |
- Honours
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Fun Stuff
|
|
 |
- Photo Gallery
|
 |
- Lookalikes
|
 |
- Player Bios
|
Links
Welcome!
Welcome to the new website for Old Scotch Soccer club. You'll find stacks of information about the club, past and present.
There is a lot of information on the site but we are always looking for more input. Please contact us if you have any comments or anything to add.
All the action from 20008
Access to all the ladders, matches and reports from 2008. Click here.
2008 Presentation Night
A hugely successful event. All the reaction and awards from the night of nights. Click here.
Welcome to the new website for Old Scotch Soccer club. You'll find stacks of information about the club, past and present.
There is a lot of information on the site but we are always looking for more input. Please contact us if you have any comments or anything to add.
All the action from 20008
Access to all the ladders, matches and reports from 2008. Click here.
2008 Presentation Night
A hugely successful event. All the reaction and awards from the night of nights. Click here.