Figtree 5, Maroons 2

The Maroons are a half decent side. That half is usually the first and from there, well we have to work out what's going wrong quickly or it's going to be a tough old season. We've been in the contest in all four games at the break, but have lost three from four.
We were outplayed on the ground but did enough against Figtree in the first period, going behind after half an hour to a penalty. Ant's first of two goals followed some excellent lead up play and Gary J narrowly missed two chances, one edging across the goal face and the second clipped agonisingly against the far post in the final minute of the half. Trev also had a one on one with the keeper he might have stuck in and Phil L wafted a chip just wide. Anyway, on balance the 1-1 was fair but we ended the half the stronger. The most annoying part was the ridiculous moaning and whining and arguing between the Figtree No. 10 and No.6 - seriously boys why not just go out the back and sort it out once and for effing all?
The second half started in a blur - they were tearing us apart at will down both flanks and somehow missed two of the easiest chances of any match.
We made a couple of substitutions to shore things up but within minutes the hosts were 3-1 up.
Ant scored a cracker for 3-2 with 20 to play and Gary J was brought down in the box without getting the decision - Paul E got the first yellow of the season in the aftermath.
That was about it though, as we finished with the bare 11, a few of them really struggling with injuries. Figtree scored a couple more which had one good effect - numbers 10 and 6 finally shut the eff up.

Cows 0 Whites 2

The easter squirrel came early for the whites with a workman like victory yesterday. With slugger a late withdrawal due to coming off second best with a lawnmower, the remaining whites dug deep, took their limited opportunities and ground out a confidence lifting 2-0 victory.

A characteristically slow start saw the cows camped in the whites half for the first 20 minutes and winning 9 consecutive corners. Uncharacteristic solid defence kept the cows at bay, then on the first movement into the oppositions half SteveB chased a awkward through ball and blasted it past the keeper. That buggered them!

As the half went the sharp midfield passing the Whites are getting a reputation for got going and started to feed the front two. The linesmen was kept on their toes and made some dodgy offside calls against the whites. Just before halftime a pinpoint Andres corner found an unmarked SteveB head who converted from 2 metres. Maybe the Cows defence was distracted by AB and Keith asking about their demolition last week by the Massive because no-one marked up!

The second half started with the Cows blowing a good chance in the first 15 seconds, then the Whites defence giving a master class in blotting out the opposition. Doug and Mark were eased in after injury lay-offs by playing the whole 90. With Handball calling the shots in perfect English strine and big Al rock solid the Cows had no answer. Manny came off second best running into a 15 stone Cow and Steve Higson ran hard all day, even when asked to play right back.

So with the return of all the easter holidayers and hopefully some from injury next match it should be interesting to see how they go.

Whites 9 Oak Flats 1

" Is this a misprint?" Slugger asks when texted the score. I understand his apprehension, considering after the first 2 games I didnt think the Whites would score 9 all year. After being on the opposite side of scores like this in our first year, the 9-1 mauling of Oak Flats was historical in many ways. Most goals scored, biggest winning margin, first hat-trick by a White and first time Al played a whole half. Definitely a game of 2 halves. Oak Flats seemed to be right in it till just before halftime when a stunning cross from big Steve found Mannys head to give us a 2-1 lead. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the 10 man opposition, like what happened to us against Russell Vale 2 years before. Three goals in 10 minutes after the break put it beyond doubt, then it was a competition to see who could get their name on the scoresheet. AB poached a treble, thanks to the unselfish play of Keith, Big Steve and the Oak Flats goalie. Big Steve and Simon both got doubles, then Squirrel completely hogged it and strode through down the left side to tap in. With this done it was then a game of "lets get Hucky and Andres on the board". Alas to no avail, both still yet to open their accounts for the Whites. Special mention to Trev Deeming, playing a cracking match in the centre of defence and keeping the oak flats whippet in check. Age defying. And Jono, trying all second half to creep up the front, then 11 players and 9 maroons standing on the sideline telling him to bugger off back to the defence. We have long memories of your striking ability Jono. Dennis with his quietest game ever could actually walk off the field without limping and Fras with the run of the day down the right and cross for Simons first goal. "Attacking fullback" comes to mind. On the road next week for the easter trip to Albion Park. Hopefully will have 11.

New boys on target for Maroons

"You are a genius in the transfer market, TH10".That's what TH10 imagined Fergus was muttering at him during a 3-1 win over Uni on Saturday. And for good reason. With mass changes at the Maroons, all four goals (fernando 2, Vinnie 1 and Gav 1) have come from new players this season. TH10 should have added four of his own on Saturday, so perhaps Fergus was muttering about that. And for good reason. But, dwelling on the positives, the Maroons too started with 13 players, grew with the addition of AB playing up as a guest (he laid on the opener for Fernando) and then ended with 12. Some exhausted players made hard work of closing out the game.
It was 2-0 at halftime as Gav added to Fernando's strike but Uni scored with pretty much their only shot, a long range beauty that gave Goalie guest Kev not a chance. There was a brief tremble but the defence got tough and Vinne made sure of the result with ten minutes to play - thumping a scorcher high into the net from near the edge of the box. It's great to get off the mark ("how would you know, TH10" muttered Fergus.

Whites 1 Dugongs 1

The whites got their first points of the season, equalising through Manny's stunning first goal of his Coledale career and holding on with tiring legs. Starting with 14, finishing with 12, the Whites are taking a while used to the faster pace of open age and younger opposition. As is the norm the Whites are creating plenty of chances but are struggling to put the ball in the oppositions net. With ginger squirrel the new partner for AB up front, the whites started brightly and pushing the ball wide looked the most dangerous. AB hit the cross bar with a right foot snap from 25m out and he also should have scored from a Rocket dead ball classic but it hit the wrong side of his 50c shaped head. Squirrel, Slugger and Keith all tried their luck, and the back 4 looked solid. Simon chased everything, Al kept kicking the ball out as he tried to push the left touchline and Handball showed his characteristic calmness at the back. Nil all at halftime, Dougie succumbed to his dicky thigh and Rocket trotted off for another rendevous with his new squeeze to put us back to one reserve. This seemed to make the Dugong boys happy, who seemed jealous of our vast wealth of subs. Just after the break the whites went behind to a goal from the dugongs first half keeper, who playing up front displayed lightning speed to spring the offside trap and roll one past Dennis, as Jono tried to boot it out and almost took Dennis's head off. Perservering the equaliser came through a piece of individual brillance from the newest Whites south (or central? not sure) american. Collecting the ball in the middle circle, Manny beat 3 defenders with a mix of foot,head,chest and bottom to reach the box and chip the keeper. Outstanding.

Whites 0 Warrawong Wizards 1

The Whites kicked off their 2011 campaign in the open age fourth (thats fourth) division with a loss to a team of 17 year olds, god bless their little cotton socks. One thing is painfully clear again, the Whites couldnt score if they where at " A Touch of Class" in Randwick with a handfull of hundred dollar notes and Dennis Felgates gold amex card. Highlights of the afternoon

• a wizard defender asking " Why is the ref sledging us?"


• Kirk telling his opponent " Eh what, your young enough to be my grandson"


• Squirrel's X rated description to Slugger of where he should be on the field after watching Fernando score for the maroons. Lets hope the Mrs is a team player Mike!


• SteveB and Hucky blaming AB for the Whites not making the semis last year, by failing to score every match.


• GG might have taken over the pugilist role from Mike Charles.


• Doug pulling cans of KB from god knows where.


• Glen Cahill showing up on time, shame hes not playing this year.

Next week the Puckamia Bay Dugongs. Yep Im as intrigued as you are.