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They say that football is a funny game, and that a week is a long time in football, and that you are only as good as your next game (amongst a million other clichés). After a couple of unlucky results, and performances that probably were not at the lofty heights that have been achieved at times this season, the Knights had to face the Eastern Lions – our local derby. The Lions always seem to turn out well-coached and well-balanced sides, and various Glen Waverley teams have had some classic battles with them over the years. The Lions beat our boys 2:0 at Gardiner’s Creek earlier in the season and the team were obviously keen for some revenge. The Knights were also depleted in troops with Ari’s ankle and James’ heel ruling them out (if nothing else, the season is providing an education in the number of things that can affect a soccer player’s health). Ben 1029 was also suffering with soreness, but managed to front up. Despite again having the services of Karan following international duties, the Knights were still down to one on the bench, which meant tiring legs as the game wore on.
Tension mounted as game time approached, not least because the ref decided to leave it to the last minute to make an appearance – this happened in the previous game between these teams, must be something about the fixture. Formalities out of the way, here was a chance for the team to get its season back on track and stand up. In the end the tension disappeared like the morning mist at Larpent, the Knights came away with a superb 3:0 victory with what was probably their best performance of the season – not just for the win but for the way that they played as a team (as they say a champion team is better than a team of champions).
The first half was a mirror image of the first game, but this time with the Knights on the attack and the Lions’ defence holding on. The Lions seemed to have recruited a Petr Cech look-a-like in goal (replete with helmet) and he was doing a fair impression of his illustrious counterpart to deny a couple of scoring chances. The defence of Luke, Adam, and Michael were doing well to come to terms with James’ absence and keep their line intact. Ozzie, Zac, Adrian, Felix, John, and Karan ruled the midfield, alternately defending and launching attacks with the Bens. Filip was his usual efficient and calm self between the sticks and looked like he would be hard to beat. There was some great passing and interplay in the half, the midfield and forwards passed the ball efficiently, players made space, and the midfield and forward line dropped back when needed. Shape – that oft talked about but hard to define concept in Soccer, well remember today’s game and that was it.
As the half wore on the Knights looked to wear down the Lions’ defence and then in the shadows of halftime, we struck. Some nice interplay between the Bens and Karan saw Ben 1029 release it to Ben Irvine free on the left hand side of the box; his coolly struck left foot shot was wide of the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. 1:0 up but could we hold on this time? Minutes ticked by and halftime came – a chance for Ross and Andres to rev up the troops for the second stanza.
Second half and the boys still looking focussed and showing no signs of fatigue. A few minutes in and it was Ben Irvine’s turn to act as playmaker. A run through the left channel passing a couple of defenders and sucking in another one and the ball is passed through to Ben 1029 who deftly tucks it past the advancing keeper.
2:0 and some self-belief coming into the Knights’ game. John hustling the ball off players twice his size, Ozzie running at full tilt, Karan providing the link between midfield and attack, Felix penetrating from midfield, Adrian with deft touches and good passes, Zac with strong tackles and good link up play, Adam tackling hard at the back, Michael clearing his lines, Luke making some hard challenges (good boy for keeping the studs down with the slide tackle), and Filip at the back cleaning up when needed. As the half wore on, it was becoming obvious that on this day the Lions were not going to have any answers and that the Knights were heading to a well deserved victory.
In England, we used to know when the end of the game was coming as the stewards used to start coming out around the pitch towards full time. At Larpent, it is when the players and spectators for the next game, who luckily get an extra hour in bed on a Sunday morning, start to arrive. So it was with the stands packed that Felix iced the cake with the Knights’ third goal. A break by Karan and the Bens with the Lions caught with too many players pushed forward – the ball spills to Felix and the rest as they say is history. 3:0 and a chance to sit back and enjoy the last few minutes of the game. To their credit the Lions kept attacking and in the dying moments gave us a glimpse of what they can do; a wicked curling cross from the right and a bullet like header that flashed wide of the post.
As often is the case, the score doesn’t tell the whole story. It was a hard and closely fought game in places and a number of the boys looked decidedly weary as they trooped off home (or to the canteen where they put a dent in the stock of hot dogs and pies). Special mention to the coaches of both teams today for issuing clear instructions that were audible in the back of the dressing sheds and for our intrepid ground marshal (aka Grand Poobah) for dealing with the half time pitch invasion.
OK time for a bit You Tube
Until Next Week, Rest Up, Train Hard, and Go Knights!
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