B GRADE MATCH REPORT

Lane Cove West (Over35) 0 - 5 North Sydney (Over 35)

You often know that the pre-match discussion abut who will take the penalties may be academic. But you do expect it to be 
worthwhile to plan corners. Not so today. We got none. And it was kick-offs we should have plotted: we got lots of those! This was 
our worse defeat in division 2. It was five nil, and we were, as they say, lucky to get nil!

The only upside is that I now don’t have to search for the record of the last time we kept three clean sheets in a row. (The answer 
on two, by the way, was 4 years ago in division 1. It’s not surprising that Dave W doesn’t remember. He did play in both games, but 
the action all happened at the other ends. Believe it or not, we won 8-0 & 6-0 in successive weeks).

Our chances of extending the run lasted just 5 minutes today, and by 17 minutes, we were three down. First, we all gave up on chasing 
a ball down the left that did, indeed, look well on its way to a goal-kick. Then when the winger chased it down, we gave up on marking 
in the area, and the easy chance at the far post was converted: 0-1. 

Just two minutes later, Martin P added to this season’s spectacular collection of own goals. Under a lot of pressure from a cross, the 
instinctive outstretched foot, and, oops! Top of net & 0-2.

Tony arrived about this point: for the second time this season his penalty for arriving a few minutes after kick-off at Blackman was to 
find us two down. Last time his arrival heralded a revival and for a minute it seemed possible again, as we almost got one back. A good 
move up the left saw Eric’s cross seized on by Bill but his fierce shot was just over the bar. (Had we known, we would have savoured this 
moment, as it was, I fear, our only serious attempt on goal in the whole game).

Two great saves from Dave W followed: one for which my notes say, “Dave fingers”, but the other I actually remember. A forward wormed 
his way through, and from point blank range couldn’t miss: but Dave stayed on his feet and made a big target, got a foot to the shot and 
the rebound was hooked away to safety.

But on 17 minutes, a third disaster: a forward free on the left chipped delicately, and it was 0-3.

Then Jon B had a valiant lone chase towards goal, but was pipped on the point of shooting.

My notes run out at this point, as so did I: run out onto the pitch, that is (only 0-3, this time; not 0-4 as when I got on the last 
time). And I thought the rest of the game was terrific: not because we played well, but because I played. The one thing the physio
hadn’t recommended seems to have worked: do nothing!

Half-time brought a resolve to start again as if 0-0, and see if we could avoid defeat in the second half. And we succeeded: as long as 
you 
don’t count the first 5 minutes… or the last. 

Their 4th goal was a bit lucky, as a shot onto the bar rebounded straight to a forward at the right height for a header back in. As this 
was very early after the break, we could easily have crumbled. But we fought on, and should be proud of how we chased and the spirit we 
showed. A fine defensive performance (more good saves from Dave) saw Eric as man of the match, and speculation mounting as to the 
destination of the coveted season’s trophy.

They scored again almost at the end, and doubtless the scorer of the goal remembers all about it, but your reporter does not.

Thanks to Ivan for good refereeing that prevented the niggles and worse (& broken wrist) that marred our last game with North Sydney. 
And to Brian for being linesman (& Bill in the later game). And to Martin P for organising in my absence.

MARK BRYANT