From the opposition - KCU match report

We made our way down to play Vic Uni who were 2^nd in the table at Wellington College on the astroturf. There was a sky sport camera team there but alas not to see us but to film the college egg chasing game that was on at the same time.

Again come Friday night we were struggling for numbers due to circumstances beyond Elmo’s control and this continued into Saturday morning but a last min text to Fraser and a bottle of wine for his wife later and he was on his way to help us out again!!!

1^st Half 

We kicked off and got a corner straight away where good interplay from Mitch, myself and Lawrie put them on the back foot but nothing came from it. From then we had another chance where I slid the ball through to Mitch and he hit it wide when 1 on 1 with the keeper, things were going ok but then we lost 2 quick goals due to a defensive error and then a free-kick which Robin couldn’t keep out. I had a chance to get us back into it with another one on one which the keeper got to my lob attempt and then Blocker hit the post with a headed chance from a short corner. We just weren’t at the races though in the 1^st half, some of our tackling was soft and against a team like Vic uni who were older we needed to be stronger than we were. And we went 3-0 down towards the end of the half due to sloppy defending again but I’m not putting blame on anyone as we were all culpable in that 1^st half.

Half Time Score Vic Uni 3-0 KCU 

Elmo had a word with us at half time which seemed to gee us up a bit and none of our heads were down by any stretch of the imagination.

2^nd Half

They kicked off and they seemed to go into their shell as we started fighting for every ball and winning them and about 5 mins into the half a sloppy shanked clearance from their centre back went back across goal toards their left back who tried to header it behind for a corner but instead the ball hit the post and went in. 3-1 

We were well on top now with Lawrie Faye and Mitch having storming games now and from another mazy run from Mr Faye he shot which deflected into the top corner. 3-2 GAME ON

Then we had a shocking decision from the ref (he needs to start watching games if he wants to ever be a good one) where Loz silas was clearly fouled in the box and damage done to his knee but the ref decided to give a goal-kick… He firstly said the uni player got the ball but gave a goal-kick???? Then he turns around and apologises saying he made a mistake (one of many mate one of many).

Loz had to come off and Frankie came on for him down the left.

For the next 15 mins we pummeled the oppo but just couldn’t get the equaliser and the ref blew his whistle to make the final score

Vic Uni 3- 2 KCU.

A game of two halves for us, a shocking 1^st half and then a spirited fightback in the 2^nd in which we just couldn’t get over the line. Again I sit here on Monday morning writing about what could have been if we had been allowed to have Lawrie for the extra 30 mins as he was having a cracking spell.

A crucial game punctuated and spoilt by a game where 

We didn’t show up until half time.

1. A referee’s whistle that was set on a 15 second delay mode.
2. Loss of key players at key times.

Less said about a poor 1^st half (non)performance that after 45 mins saw me asking a few stern questions at the break regarding whether anyone didn’t want to be on the pitch as there wasn’t any shape, commitment, communication or team play.

Our anticipation on the field, like the refs whistle seemed to be on a delayed setting.

2^nd half performance was played with a gritty, passionate and committed team that didn’t resemble the 11 on the park in the first half. With 25 mins left and Vic Uni now only 3-2 ahead, they ran out of steam and were being totally overrun by Loz Faye and support from Mitch and Loz  on the flanks.

Unfortunately losing die hard Loz Silas to a knee injury crudely inflicted inside the box without reprimand and the necessary substitution of Loz Faye after 60 mins to assist the 1^st team, denied us of a great comeback and 3 points.

The game that was !!…..3 points missed and a gap of 6 points between us and them, when it could quite easily have been 0.

Thanks to Fraser, Franky and Zac for putting their hands up for duty when required, again much appreciated.

Some facebook followup;