2008 ROUND 18
LUSC Old Boys vs Nunawading City 4 - 2

Goals:

Carmichael, Matthew (4)
Gonis, Nick (38)
Carmichael, Matthew (43)
Umina, Paul - penalty (51)

Go Back to Old Boys Team Page here


The Flight of the Bald Eagle

After a week of butterflies and sleepless nights the championship deciding game had finally arrived. A win over Nunawading would ensure that the Bald Eagles would become the world champions of the Thirds Central League. However, this day also had its own battle within – who would top the goal scoring between Matt “Buddy Frankin” Carmichael and the dynamic Paul “Fevola” Cif?

The first time these two teams played, the Bald Eagles played with only nine fit players. At that time the La Trobe coaches knew that the last round of the year would be the title decider and chose not to “show their hand” so early in the season. The look of bewilderment on the Nunawading players faces (and some La Trobe supporters) at the sight of 16 Bald Eagles doing warm ups in the rain 30 minutes before kick-off was justification for a game plan 10 weeks in the making. Credit must go somewhat to Paul Cif who sacrificed much of the second half of the season to ensure he was ready for this game.

“Buddy” Slater got the show going with a poaching goal at the 4 minute mark which had the opposition rattled early. It looked certain that the Cif Fevola shot was going in but Buddy was not letting anything get in the way of his quest for goal scoring supremacy. For the next 30 minutes it was a real slog with La Trobe doing most of the attacking for little reward. A great game was had by the referee who did a fine job in defence for Nunawading. At the start of the game, Supercoach informed us that the Ref and Umbi go “way back”. Initially the boys thought this may help La Trobe but in fact we have since found out that a “history with Umbi” is not necessarily a good thing. “Buddy” Slater may just be starting to develop as a player this year however he still has much to learn, including not tripping people 10 metres away from him. It was these decisions which could have cost La Trobe the title. However, he recovered from his indiscretions to fire in a header off a well taken Gabmesiter corner. The G-train was quick off his feet in the box and got a shin pad strap to it just in time to put the scores at 2:0. G-train was adamant that the Buddy shot was going wide and it required his micro-millimeter deflection. Cif Fevola backed the G-train up on his claims. The mid season surgery has definitely paid off with the G-train looking the fittest we’ve seen in years and peaking at the right time. Buddy fired in another fine header at the 43 minute to the rapturous applause of the large crowd and the despairing groan from Cif Fevola on the bench. This made the score 3:0 at half time – a very dangerous result.

Tony Mason was brought along for an inspirational half time speech. Although far too many words were said, the Bald Eagles got the general gist of it and went out for the last 45 minutes to prove that they could pull off a win without the great O’Cif present. The offensive pressure from Thunder, Sava, Luca, Jimmy and the Thai Superfreak was fantastic. The Nunawading keeper was caught well out of goals when the ball was chipped wide in front of the rampaging G-train. With a desperate lunge the keeper managed to get a hand on the full flight locomotive and save a certain goal. In fact, the keeper almost certainly saved the G-train from snapping his hamstring due to the G-Force momentum Nick was close to reaching. A penalty was duly awarded. With key penalty specialist O’Cif gone, there was initially some uncertainty over who should take it. When Buffon Umina stepped forward there was never any doubt where the ball was headed. Captain Bug knows that goal like the back of his Petri dish and cleanly slotted away possibly his last goal at international level.

Prior to the game Boz was given the task of marking the Royal Ugly Bald Dude although Nunawading were prepared for this tactic and moved the coward to defence. However, a La Trobe corner was awarded late in the game and Boz saw the opportunity to use his head. As the ball came in flying in, the Bozman lined up the chrome dome in front of him for the perfect Glasgow kiss. When the pile of bodies lifted themselves from the ground, it was to Bozzas dismay that Buddy Slater got up last rubbing the back of his head. A bad case of mistaken identity.

The La Trobe defence has been the backbone of arguably one of the greatest sides ever. The General, the Captain, the Flying Dutchman, the Human Glove plus some early season help by Irishman O’Cif and Jimmy (before going to the midfield). However, many a great team has failed to move with the times and often become too complacent with using the same team structure over and over again. This is where La Trobe and its game of Total Gonis has distinguished it from other teams. With the scores 4:0, all three defenders plus Jimmy were interchanged. Captain Bug, still coming to terms with his impending retirement, insisted that no back line was required. Truth beknown that Captain Bug was not comfortable with the constant public adoration he would have to suffer with for years to come if he was to retire on a clean sheet as the greatest goalkeeper ever. Hence the kind gesture to show he is somewhat human after all and allowed Nunawading a couple of goals as consolation.

What a fantastic day where not only was soccer the winner but the Bald Eagles stuck it right up em!

Go team 2009!