Good luck tomorrow guys. Despite injury and dropped points and referees from the sheltered workshop I've had a ball again this season. Look forward to the awards night where I should be in line for several gongs (dummy spit of the year, most ridiculous motivational speech etc).
Enjoy your last outing!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Blew It.
So Old Boys dropped two points against Mako's, and had we done the necessary ourselves yesterday, we'd still be in with a chance.
So where can we lay the blame?
Shanes' Son?
Can only blame ourselves, although our home record of only 1 win all season does tend to suggest that our linesmen have been far to honest in calling us offside, whilst our opponents take advantage of their home supplied lino's. Shane really should have taught his son not to be so damn honest!
The no-double-header (except when there will be a double header) rule
That washed out game against Balgownie has come back to haunt us, although given our home record who's to say we'd have beaten them anyway?
Pet burial sessions?
If there was a gold medal awarded for the number of injuries sustained in a year, we'd have won it by a landslide. Tony, John and Shayne's protracted absences have affected us badly. I think we should seriously consider getting a physio next year - preferably a blonde, nubile nymphomaniac (that only has eyes for me).
A 5 game winning start when it all looked so promising..yet if we don't at least draw next weekend, it could see us drop to 8th. Very surprising finale given the ability of the squad.
Still, it's been fun.
So where can we lay the blame?
Shanes' Son?
Can only blame ourselves, although our home record of only 1 win all season does tend to suggest that our linesmen have been far to honest in calling us offside, whilst our opponents take advantage of their home supplied lino's. Shane really should have taught his son not to be so damn honest!
The no-double-header (except when there will be a double header) rule
That washed out game against Balgownie has come back to haunt us, although given our home record who's to say we'd have beaten them anyway?
Pet burial sessions?
If there was a gold medal awarded for the number of injuries sustained in a year, we'd have won it by a landslide. Tony, John and Shayne's protracted absences have affected us badly. I think we should seriously consider getting a physio next year - preferably a blonde, nubile nymphomaniac (that only has eyes for me).
A 5 game winning start when it all looked so promising..yet if we don't at least draw next weekend, it could see us drop to 8th. Very surprising finale given the ability of the squad.
Still, it's been fun.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Awards Night
The biggest social event in the southern hemisphere is getting closer, invitations will be delivered next week, make sure you've provided wife/girlfriends/boyfriends details and address our you'll miss the gathering of CHOGS football stars.
We need these ASAP i.e. this weekend.
All outstanding fines must also be paid this weekend........our else!
Social Dave
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Why are we here?
Is it the groupies? The adulation of millions? The money and all that it brings? Is it the chance to run around like headless chickens, yelling at each other and pointing out our collective and individual faults?
Or is it something else? The chance to play a team sport with your mates and have a bit of a laugh. A bit of banter, a beer, a bit of exercise to make the beer taste deserved.
What do we want to recall of this season when we're old(er) and grey(er)?
So, plenty of questions there. The answers, only you guys know.
With the finals now out of our hands, though teasingly not yet out of reach, it could be time for a rethink. Last Saturday's performance was that of a team too anxious, too fraught and probably taking itself too seriously. None of it helped. Perhaps it's time to lighten up. Pass and move. Run hard. Work. But win or lose, good or bad, it might be time to do it with a smile instead of a snarl.
Or is it something else? The chance to play a team sport with your mates and have a bit of a laugh. A bit of banter, a beer, a bit of exercise to make the beer taste deserved.
What do we want to recall of this season when we're old(er) and grey(er)?
So, plenty of questions there. The answers, only you guys know.
With the finals now out of our hands, though teasingly not yet out of reach, it could be time for a rethink. Last Saturday's performance was that of a team too anxious, too fraught and probably taking itself too seriously. None of it helped. Perhaps it's time to lighten up. Pass and move. Run hard. Work. But win or lose, good or bad, it might be time to do it with a smile instead of a snarl.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
We are still in it
Old Boys crushing 6-0 loss to Puma Masters leaves us with a mathematical chance of making the semis. If the Old Boys, missing their main striker through injury, get one point or less from their final matches against the Makos and Jamberoo and we win both our games, we will sneak into fourth place.
While last week was a harrowing result, the bright side is we created enough chances to win three games. The Pumas proved a tough adversary in our first match but we are fond of suggesting we are good enough to beat anyone, so here is a chance to prove it.
Russell Vale have gone ahead of us into fifth but they have a bye in the next two rounds.
Six points to us and one to Old Boys would put us into the four. Unfortunately two draws to the Old Boys would, under the current rules, see them advance on a better head to head record. I would argue that this is unfair based on our home game against them being washed out, but they are 10 goals better off on GD than us anyway.
Now is a good time to know who is here this week, who is injured and who has actually retired.
While last week was a harrowing result, the bright side is we created enough chances to win three games. The Pumas proved a tough adversary in our first match but we are fond of suggesting we are good enough to beat anyone, so here is a chance to prove it.
Russell Vale have gone ahead of us into fifth but they have a bye in the next two rounds.
Six points to us and one to Old Boys would put us into the four. Unfortunately two draws to the Old Boys would, under the current rules, see them advance on a better head to head record. I would argue that this is unfair based on our home game against them being washed out, but they are 10 goals better off on GD than us anyway.
Now is a good time to know who is here this week, who is injured and who has actually retired.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Uni 2, Chogs 2
Finals football will almost certainly elude the Chogs again this season after a shattering draw against Uni. The silence was deafening after the match as the Chogs let the magnitude of the previous 90 minutes sink in. Twice we took the lead yet could not hold it as we rushed the play despite being confronted with clearly the worst opposition we have faced in two years.
The chances started from the first minute and continued through to Ant's final charge in the dying seconds. Yet apart from Matt's header and Kevin's opportunism after their keeper had handed us the second goal, we squandered enough chances to win three games.
Perhaps we were a couple of bodies short but we still had two subs to their one. Yes, the referee was a plonker, but we've come to expect that by now.
Anyway, some words were said (about retirement and other things) and hopefully everyone has had a chance to reflect and move on. Two games to go and those bodies can have a nice long rest.
The chances started from the first minute and continued through to Ant's final charge in the dying seconds. Yet apart from Matt's header and Kevin's opportunism after their keeper had handed us the second goal, we squandered enough chances to win three games.
Perhaps we were a couple of bodies short but we still had two subs to their one. Yes, the referee was a plonker, but we've come to expect that by now.
Anyway, some words were said (about retirement and other things) and hopefully everyone has had a chance to reflect and move on. Two games to go and those bodies can have a nice long rest.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Who's in?
Hey all
Yes, it's another must winner this weekend against Uni. The game is scheduled for Beaton Park - the best entrance being from Gipps Street (where Wollongong Olympic juniors play). So far we have Andy, GP, Ian, Michael and John sidelined so please let me know if you're adding to that long list.
Yes, it's another must winner this weekend against Uni. The game is scheduled for Beaton Park - the best entrance being from Gipps Street (where Wollongong Olympic juniors play). So far we have Andy, GP, Ian, Michael and John sidelined so please let me know if you're adding to that long list.
Monday, August 4, 2008
remaining games
With the old boys showing some sportsmanship (I've seen that happen in professional games, the one exception of course being the red pikies from South London who scored against Sheffield United that way, followed by their manager not seeing the incident...) but I digress..
Although we're four points off the top, all is far from lost as the sides above all all have to play each other:
IFS Rangers 33
Puma Masters 30
Old Boys 29
Jamberoo 28
Coastal Hogs 24
Albion Park 23
Shellharbour 23
Russell Vale 23
Next weeks games between Jamberoo/IFS and Old Boys/Pumas could see us back to 1 point outside the top 4
Jamberoo: IFS (H) Fernhill (H) Old Boys (H)
IFS: Jamberoo (A) Albion Pk (A) Pumas (H)
Old Boys; Pumas (H) Makos (H) Jamberoo (A)
Pumas: Old Boys (A) Chogs (A) IFS (A)
Russell V: Albion Pk (H) Balgownie (A)
Albion Pk: RV (A) IFS (H) Chogs (A)
Chogs: Uni (A) Pumas (H) Albion Park (H)
S Makos: Old Boys (A) Fernhill (A)
Although we're four points off the top, all is far from lost as the sides above all all have to play each other:
IFS Rangers 33
Puma Masters 30
Old Boys 29
Jamberoo 28
Coastal Hogs 24
Albion Park 23
Shellharbour 23
Russell Vale 23
Next weeks games between Jamberoo/IFS and Old Boys/Pumas could see us back to 1 point outside the top 4
Jamberoo: IFS (H) Fernhill (H) Old Boys (H)
IFS: Jamberoo (A) Albion Pk (A) Pumas (H)
Old Boys; Pumas (H) Makos (H) Jamberoo (A)
Pumas: Old Boys (A) Chogs (A) IFS (A)
Russell V: Albion Pk (H) Balgownie (A)
Albion Pk: RV (A) IFS (H) Chogs (A)
Chogs: Uni (A) Pumas (H) Albion Park (H)
S Makos: Old Boys (A) Fernhill (A)
Old Boys are good guys shock
This appeared on an IAFA forum I look at. Makes for interesting reading. Looks like the Old Boys have got a leap on us as well, leaving us four points out of the four. But looks as if that big bully of a striker might be hurt (sure you are thinkg of him TT) and perhaps AP Cows will come to us for the last match out of contention.
Albion Park Cows v's Old Boys - Master div 2.Old Boys are leading 1-0 late in the first half when their striker goes down with a sickening foot injury. The Albion Park team seeing the player down put the ball out. It takes about 10 minutes to deal with the injury. When the game resumes, Old Boys forget momentarily that the ball had been put out by Albion Park and don't return the ball and score from the ensuring play. 2-0. It only takes a moment for Frank Price and and some of the other Old Boys players to realise that in the honored tradition of football the ball had not been returned to Albion Park. Albion Park Captain (me) approaches Old Boys captain - Frank Price and asks if he would consider conceding a goal to nullify their own goal. If you were Frank, what would you do?
Before you answer the question you need to be aware of some other facts.
1. Both teams are fighting for a spot in the top four. The winner stays in the four, the looser will no doubt slip out of the top four.
2. The last time both teams played Albion Park smacked Old Boys 3-0 and really dominated them.
3. The Old Boys first goal came in the first few minutes of the game and was as a result of a keeper error. Since that time they had been under the pump from Albion park who had dominated the game and field position for the past 30 minutes.
4. Old Boys were down on troops. With the loss of their striker (a vital player) they were down to the bare 11 with no subs at all. In addition, one of their remaining players is playing with a knee injury and can hardly move around the park. Albion park on the other hand have 16 players, plenty of subs to wear them out with.
5. Old Boys are running with the wind advantage in the first half which they will loose in the second half.So now you know all the facts. If you were Frank what would be your decision. I know many, many teams under those circumstances would have said "No."
However, in the ultimate act of good sportsmanship, Frank Price and the rest of their team did not hesitate in saying "Yes" and immediately conceded an own goal from the restart.
To me this is what Amateur football is all about. Teams who enjoy playing the game and realise there is more to life then winning. For the record, I would like to applaud Frank and his boys for being great sports. I hope every other team in the league will read this and follow their example.
For the record, Old Boys went on to win the game 3-2 in a thriller. Well done boys and best of luck for the rest of the season.
M.Rosete Albion Park Cows.
Albion Park Cows v's Old Boys - Master div 2.Old Boys are leading 1-0 late in the first half when their striker goes down with a sickening foot injury. The Albion Park team seeing the player down put the ball out. It takes about 10 minutes to deal with the injury. When the game resumes, Old Boys forget momentarily that the ball had been put out by Albion Park and don't return the ball and score from the ensuring play. 2-0. It only takes a moment for Frank Price and and some of the other Old Boys players to realise that in the honored tradition of football the ball had not been returned to Albion Park. Albion Park Captain (me) approaches Old Boys captain - Frank Price and asks if he would consider conceding a goal to nullify their own goal. If you were Frank, what would you do?
Before you answer the question you need to be aware of some other facts.
1. Both teams are fighting for a spot in the top four. The winner stays in the four, the looser will no doubt slip out of the top four.
2. The last time both teams played Albion Park smacked Old Boys 3-0 and really dominated them.
3. The Old Boys first goal came in the first few minutes of the game and was as a result of a keeper error. Since that time they had been under the pump from Albion park who had dominated the game and field position for the past 30 minutes.
4. Old Boys were down on troops. With the loss of their striker (a vital player) they were down to the bare 11 with no subs at all. In addition, one of their remaining players is playing with a knee injury and can hardly move around the park. Albion park on the other hand have 16 players, plenty of subs to wear them out with.
5. Old Boys are running with the wind advantage in the first half which they will loose in the second half.So now you know all the facts. If you were Frank what would be your decision. I know many, many teams under those circumstances would have said "No."
However, in the ultimate act of good sportsmanship, Frank Price and the rest of their team did not hesitate in saying "Yes" and immediately conceded an own goal from the restart.
To me this is what Amateur football is all about. Teams who enjoy playing the game and realise there is more to life then winning. For the record, I would like to applaud Frank and his boys for being great sports. I hope every other team in the league will read this and follow their example.
For the record, Old Boys went on to win the game 3-2 in a thriller. Well done boys and best of luck for the rest of the season.
M.Rosete Albion Park Cows.
Chogs winded 2-0
Jamberoo took the wind out of our sails with a clinical second half performance. We did well to go to break all level after running into the strong blow and created two of the better chances of the opening period. Gary H found himself free on the edge of the box but put the ball over and Ant's later freekick just cleared the crossbar.
Instead of using the wind to get field position then work close passes, we got seduced by its power in the second term and sent far too many long balls aimlessly out for goalkicks or straight to their keeper. In response Jamberoo played a close control game, running well and keeping the ball on the deck.
Their classy number 10 set up the opener for their No 23 early in the second half, beating Dean as he slid in for a tackle on the right, getting to the byline and cutting back. It was the approach we should have been taking at the other end but weren't. Still, we got back into the game and dominated for a 15 minute period, as Dave stormed forward ,where we had a few strong shots straight at their keeper and a couple of close calls where the ball just wouldn't fall for us. With 10 minutes to go Gary H, who had done an excellent man marking job to shut their playmaker out of the match, was sacrificed for a more attacdking formation. The playmaker promptly scored with a sweet shot low past Hector. Deflated we walked through the remainder of the game.
Jamberoo jumped four points clear of us. Russell Vale lost 5-4 to Puma Masters to stay a point behind us and Makos are now there as well after pumping Uni 8-2. But our finals chances could hinge on the yet to be posted AP Cows v Old Boys result. A draw would be best, followed by a Cows win. If they lost then we are four points outside the four with three to play.
Updates to follow.
Instead of using the wind to get field position then work close passes, we got seduced by its power in the second term and sent far too many long balls aimlessly out for goalkicks or straight to their keeper. In response Jamberoo played a close control game, running well and keeping the ball on the deck.
Their classy number 10 set up the opener for their No 23 early in the second half, beating Dean as he slid in for a tackle on the right, getting to the byline and cutting back. It was the approach we should have been taking at the other end but weren't. Still, we got back into the game and dominated for a 15 minute period, as Dave stormed forward ,where we had a few strong shots straight at their keeper and a couple of close calls where the ball just wouldn't fall for us. With 10 minutes to go Gary H, who had done an excellent man marking job to shut their playmaker out of the match, was sacrificed for a more attacdking formation. The playmaker promptly scored with a sweet shot low past Hector. Deflated we walked through the remainder of the game.
Jamberoo jumped four points clear of us. Russell Vale lost 5-4 to Puma Masters to stay a point behind us and Makos are now there as well after pumping Uni 8-2. But our finals chances could hinge on the yet to be posted AP Cows v Old Boys result. A draw would be best, followed by a Cows win. If they lost then we are four points outside the four with three to play.
Updates to follow.
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