2008 ROUND 6
LUSC Old Boys vs South Yarra 1 - 1

Goals:
Phillips, Gabriel (70)

Go Back to Old Boys Team Page here


The Flight of the Bald Eagle

This week we saw the Clash of the Titans. No, we’re not talking about 1st versus 3rd on the ladder but rather the dual between Patty “All Beef” Devuono and Nick “Lightning Bolt” Gonis vying for the key position of striker. Gonis won it on a technicality (or rather Patty was technically unavailable). Look for next week’s rematch.

But on to more pressing matters, the game between La Trobe Bald Eagles and the South Yarra Fruit Loops was built up to be the Match of the round. For the first time this year, the game was blessed with a referee of Premier League standard and unbiased decision making. Unfortunately, Johnny A (Johnny A, JohnnyA) was soon replaced by an official from the FFV and the refereeing standard hit rock bottom. Luckily, the ref didn’t make any decisions that affected the outcome of the game. In fact, we’re not sure if he made any decisions what-so-ever and he seemed more interested in picking everyone up on their grammar. We’re guessing he isn’t a big fan of Gordon Ramsey.

The selection process for the Bald Eagles was thrown into disarray this week with the late withdrawal of Ilias and both reserve keepers, Grobellar and Van Der Saar. Playing against one of the highest scoring teams in the league, divine intervention was required. Unfortunately, Jesus was playing for the Fourths and Allah didn’t consider himself much of a goal keeper so we had to call on the great Mahatma “Gandy” Gandhi in goals. His pre-match speech was awe-inspiring and we felt it important to share some of the comments he made to his team mates.

He told Gab “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”
To Frank “One needs to be slow to form convictions, but once formed they must be defended against the heaviest odds.”
To Gonis “There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.”
To Luca “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

Gandy was in great form and just about unstoppable in goals. He pulled off many fine saves and continually frustrated the Fruit Loop forwards with his running off the line.

The Bald Eagles defence was under immense pressure, particularly in the first half, against a very fast and fit forward line. Frank, leading by example, repelled attack after attack and with the likes of Gerry, Jimmy, Sava and Lou playing well, the Fruit Loops failed to make any inroads. It took at least 25 minutes before La Trobe finally started to get their game together and pass the ball around. For too long they looked for the long ball over the top to Paul Cif and the lightening Gonis to run on to.

The second half looked better and La Trobe was starting to get on top in the midfield through some hard work by Gab, Mat Umina, Luca, Laurie, Boz and Matt C. It finally paid off when South Yarra cleared a La Trobe corner from their box only for it to spill to Gab, who deftly lobbed it back over the keepers head for the Grinders Goal of the Day. After missing out in last weeks goal fest, Gab produced one of the most important goals of the year to date. The game continued to remain evenly poised with both teams having numerous opportunities. Unfortunately, late in the game, La Trobe copped a rather opportune equalizer to make it 1:1.

The result was probably the right one as far as both teams are concerned. Most Bald Eagles didn’t play to their optimum whereas South Yarra probably did. Gandy was by far the difference between La Trobe drawing and possibly losing. The rematch later in the year should be a cracker.