MATCH REPORT: by Glenn Bacic

Match: Balmain AA6B v Balmain AA6A
Venue: Callan Park
Date: Saturday 23 May 1998
Time: 1.00pm kick-off

After weeks of putting in place the basics of a winning soccer formula, dividends are finally paying off. Balmain Bs’ game against the A side at Callan Park was undoubtedly their best performance yet.

Do not let the losing scoreline of 2-5 put you off. The fact is that midfield play and the attack are starting to pose a threat to the opponents. Indeed, had luck been on our side, the scores would have been much closer.

Goals are starting to come, with Russell scoring twice from separate deft chip kicks to put the ball beyond the keeper’s reach and in the back of the net: the first a direct free kick from outside the penalty box, and the second in open play, again outside the box. This, coupled with Peter’s header off a corner that hit the woodwork, and a brilliant save by the keeper to deny Serge a long awaited goal, could easily have reversed the scoreline.

Unfortunately, there is still improvement required. Despite the half-time emphasis on the defence maintaining concentration and not conceding early second half goals, a 1-2 scoreline quickly mounted to 1-4. This aspect of Balmain Bs’ game clearly needs more work (perhaps a sports psychiatrist?). That said, Balmain Bs did regain composure and did not let the game go after that and played some of their best football of the day.

Special credit must go to Anthony Rosenthal, who, after a lengthy absence from the park and a strength sapping honeymoon in the tropics, was the pick of the defenders. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the disgraced Glenn Bacic.

They say a week is a long time in the world of the greatest game, and they’re correct. From the glory (?) of the week before, and leading the goal scorer’s tally of the club (thank you, James!), Bacic, unlucky to concede an early penalty to give the A side a 1-0 leg up, then found himself sent from the field with 10 minutes of the game remaining on an overly technical (and discriminatory rule against honest defenders) FIFA ruling of bringing the attacker down in a slightly late tackle. Despite an impassioned plea before the judiciary, the faceless committee with hearts of stone imposed a one week suspension.

Anyway boys, remember that last week was the turning point. Continue the rise in form and the wins will come!

(Editor’s Note: Contrary to last week’s match report, Glenn has pointed out that his shot at goal was fumbled by the Earlwood keeper before going in, which means that he should be credited with the goal)

The Pele Medal points go to:

Russell Borman 3 points
Anthony Rosenthal 2 points
Sergio Fiorenza 1 point

NEXT GAME

Match: Balmain AA6B v Strathfield
Venue: Callan Park
Date: Saturday 30 May 1998
Time: 1.00pm kick-off

Pele medal count:

7 Borman
3 Bacic, Flintoff, Newcombe
2 Austin, Onsman, Rosenthal
1 Fiorenza

Here are some quotable quotes from world football to prepare you for the World Cup:

"Two Andy Gorams, there's only two Andy Gorams..."
Kilmarnock fans to the Rangers keeper after he had been diagnosed with mild schizophrenia.

"I've told the players we need to win so that I can have the cash to buy some new ones"
Chris Turner, Peterborough manager, before League Cup Quarter Final, 1992.

"Tell the Kraut to get his ass up front. We don't pay a million for a guy to hang around in defence."
NY Cosmos executive, on Beckenbauer's positioning.

"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered"
George Best.

"The only English Paul Gascoigne taught me was : 'You reet ugly b*****d'"
Chelsea Steward at the training ground to Marco Van Basten (30/11/96)

"If you're Marco Van Basten, I'm Father Christmas."
Chelsea Steward at the training ground to Marco Van Basten (30/11/96)

"If we played like that every week we wouldn't be so inconsistent"
Bryan Robson, Man U, 1990.

"I was saying the other day, how often the most vulnerable area for goalies is between their legs..."
Andy Gray, Sky Sport

"If you can't stand the heat in the dressing-room, get out of the kitchen."
Terry Venables, Capital Gold

"It's now 1-1, an exact reversal of the score on Saturday."
Radio 5 Live

"That's great, tell him he's Pele and get him back on."
John Lambie, Partick Thistle manager, when told a concussed striker did not know who he was.