Lane Cove West 2, Northbridge B 1

21 July 2007, Naremburn

This game, like last week’s, is not likely to contribute much to the DVD of highlights of the season. For much of it we seemed unengaged. But we came good just when it mattered, battering away at our opponent’s goal for the last 15 minutes, and snatching a stirring winner.

We welcomed back Howard, Martin and Phil from injury, and Dave from his overseas training camp. Steve B had exchanged the wide open terraces of the Bangkok stadium on Monday night for the rather more crowded seating of Naremburn 2, today; but injury prevented him taking the field in either game. And Steve L, John S & Jon B were all away, so the team was, unusually, a Steve- & John-free zone.

All these changes, or something, caused a disjointed start, and Northbridge looked dangerous. But we had our moments, too, notably when a kick from Tony beat all their defence until the keeper picked it up, then dropped it - just inches away from me as I ran past him.

But the initial goal was a bit against the run of play. Not coincidentally, it came just after Matt had entered the game, and immediately threatened down the right. One of these runs led to a pass to Bob in the area, who controlled it smartly, and hit a firm shot. It might well have gone in anyway, but a deflection from a defender took it further from the keeper: 1-0 (& Bob’s third goal against these opponents this season).

As last week, the normal settling effect of an early goal didn’t materialize, and we continued to struggle a bit, often giving the ball away unnecessarily.

But half-time found us still the one up, though slightly apprehensive about the conditions, as we now faced a strong wind.

Sure enough, Northbridge came out strongly, and it wasn’t too surprising when a string of corners yielded them a goal: a free header from close in, which left us wondering how none of us had got close to it: 1-1.

At this point, I was fearful for the outcome. We were not playing with the fluency of most of our recent games, and were giving away possession and corners alarmingly.

But gradually we fought our way back; helped, it must be said, by some Northbridge defensive lapses. Their Ivan tried to back-heel the ball under pressure from Bob, but it came to me. I pushed it onto Bob who (as ever) was still running. He made it almost to the by-line before pulling it invitingly back into space. There was Dave, steaming in, to strike it hard and straight; but, unfortunately, also high. Then their Ivan, again, lost possession in our half, but behind most of his team, and I set off with the ball on the long trek to their goal. I got most of the way there, before he caught me, and scrambled it away.

They were still creating chances too, but increasingly Brian and Martin, in the middle, and Tim and Eric on the flanks seemed to be having things covered.

So on we marched forwards – Howard, Matt & Phil in mid-field getting well stuck in, and Peter, Bob & Matt always looking creative. Meantime Mark S and James were chasing up front, and James, in particular, had a couple of promising runs and shots.

Then a free-kick on the right, nicely floated over (by Brian?) beat everyone and sailed harmlessly past the far post, which only a moment earlier been almost hidden from view in the crowd of our players loitering there; without intent, as it turned out.

It was ironic that Bob and Matt – who ultimately were to get 2^nd & 3^rd respectively in the man-of-the match voting - looked to have blown our two best chances to win the game. Two well-worked passing moves had seen them one-on-one with the keeper and not far out. Bob’s was a stretch and his toe-poke was wonderfully parried by the keeper. Matt rather sliced at his chance, and it seemed like our moments had passed.

But, never say die. From a corner on the right, well flighted over by James, Peter, at the far post, leapt like a startled salmon and headed into the net: 2-1.

There was still time for scares at the other end: particularly a ball of innocent appearance that evaded Tony, leaving a forward an open goal. But somehow Brian kept the ball out, and our chances alive.

For once in a tight game, the final whistle came sooner than we’d expected, and there was general rejoicing at another successful outing.

Peter was man-of-the match (which was only to be expected as he’d just scored a stunning goal, and voters have notoriously short attention spans); Bob was second (his goal had been right at the beginning); and Matt third, no doubt reflecting vague recollections of all the good things he’d done, but not in the last ten minutes, and not including scoring a goal. (The defenders will recognize this as a forwards-centric - but realistic – explanation of voting logic).

 So that’s six wins in our last seven games. Today was our first double of the season. But there’s still time for four more: our remaining six games include only one against a team that has beaten us (Northbridge A); three against teams we’ve beaten in our recent run; and two against St Michaels, whom we are to play twice in 14 days, starting next Sunday.

Thanks to Nigel for running the line in our game, and Eric at 3pm; also to Ernie for organizing the subs, to Tim for the beers

MARK BRYANT

Corrections and amplifications;

Eric points out that my report of last week’s dull game failed to mention the part of which he still has a souvenir. He collided with Jon B (or possibly vice versa), leading to Eric having a quiet lie-down on the damp pitch; and later developing a real shiner of a black eye. The latter has everyone in his office convinced that he has a much more colourful life than he’d previously let on, so it’s not all bad.

Then a few weeks back, I asked the odds against half of our ten games having finished 4-2, when less than 2% of games do (or in the Premier League, they do). Dave, our resident gaming expert, tells us that the answer is 510,884,175 to 1. Put it another way: we can expect this to happen twice every billion seasons. So let’s keep playing and look out for the other one, I say!