Ah, the Annandale Hotel. You want live music? Here 'tis. There's also the Locals Club going bananas with giveaways, are classic tacky movies from The Sounds of Sinema, a trivia comp on Tuesdays and, all in all, it's the best pub atmosphere to be found in Sydney. Check out the new Thaina Box where the Nosh Pit used to be. For a full rundown of weekly activities at the Annandale, click on the image below -

With our salary caps in order we were still in championship contention as we jogged confidently onto Earlwood's Beaman Park for our elimination final against Marrickville's immacuately attired Red Devils. The sun was shining (again) after a non-washout season, the field was flat and cricket-pitchless and Rob didn't get lost. Promising signs indeed.

Our inspirational, and occasionally volatile captain, Ally had primed us with a pre-game pep talk recommending, somewhat ironically ... but with passion, that we remain calm and just play to our strengths.

And so we did.

Sure, some of our strengths were unavailable, unable to take the pitch but having contributed to Rovers' presence in the finals. But they were there in spirit. Jon "still waiting by the mailbox for his medal" Drea had long been poached by English First Division and Pier "whose boots were made for walking" D'Angelo was waylaid soaking up some Mediterranean rays. Joey "the bookmaker" Nicotra was still waiting by his mailbox for his new card to arrive, Nick "does anyone want to meet some girls" Agafonoff was off learning the banjo with some suspect pig-shooters and Sergio Fiorenza was MIA. A crutch wielding Matt "ooo, that must have hurt" Linton was cheering from the sidelines.

But with our season's interchange system (implemented due to weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, trips to the Orient and the snowfields, injuries and hangovers) in full swing we were still able to field a well balanced, nay formidable, side.

While both teams were in an attacking frame of mind the defences proved equal to the task with the solid backline of Donny, Ricky, Bruce and Brian depriving the opposition of scoring opportunities and sweeper Mikee mopping up anything that did get through. Their defence was also getting first touch when the ball went forward. But after 25 minutes of the to-and-froing from one end of the field to the next Marrickville opened up the proceedings with a well struck kick to the left of the net that put them ahead 1-0.

As he's done so many times this year Ben retaliated in the best way possible winding his way up the right wing before crossing to the Mackie truck who nailed one in the back of the net. Soon after a superb strike by Rob sheared off the opposition's crossbar. 1-1 at half-time and the game was wide open.

Ally's half-time advice proved pertinent - keep a tight rein on their nippy No. 12 who could weave his way out of a macrame workshop. Twice he got through before Mikee, in a last ditch attempt to take the ball from him in the box, took out his ankles instead. A penalty ensued. And we were down 2-1.

While we continued to penetrate their defence they had a sniff of victory and beat us to the ball when it counted. Not that we played badly but in the end they got the breaks when it counted.

After a cracker season everyone deserves a Pele point for effort but on the day ....

The Pele points go to:

Result: Concord 3 defeated balmain Rovers 2

Goalscorers: Paul Edwards, Glenn Bacic

The Pele points go to: