Scotch College

Match Reports -Round 3 - 10 May 2008

Mother’s Day morning tea at McKendrick Oval was a great success. Congratulations to Tom Kent who won the first prize in the raffle Ð tickets to the Melbourne Victory vs Juventus match. Many thanks to the parents who catered, with some beautiful tea cakes and sponges on offer.

Inaugural Rose and Thistle Cup - Scotch vs Melbourne Grammar - this coming Saturday

This year sees the introduction of a new tradition between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College. When the two soccer teams meet during the APS season, they will be playing for the Rose and Thistle Cup. The Rose and Thistle Cup (Rose - of England, MGS and Thistle - of Scotland, Scotch) represents the character of both schools and it's intention is to further develop the bond between the two schools and to increase the profile of the sport in line with its increasing popularity within both communities. This Saturday will see the inaugural presentation of the Cup when when the Scotch first XI play the MGS first XI at Flack Park at the usual time of 10am. All Scotch soccer enthusiasts are invited to watch the game, including Old Boys. The Cup will be presented by both school principals, Paul Sheahan and Ian Savage.

Seniors

A far more determined Scotch side turned out for the game against Geelong Grammar. The game started well with both teams feeling their way around the pitch early on. Unfortunately a defensive error, mainly due to inexperience allowed Geelong to take the lead. The level of determination for Scotch soared and the boys began to play the style of soccer that they are capable of. Immense pressure was placed on the Geelong defence and before long our efforts were rewarded and the scores were level at one all.

The second half begun with some missed opportunities for us but the pressure upon Geelong continued. The game ended with Geelong as victors , 3-1. Both goals were scored on quick counter plays, catching us out of position. A positive aspect of this game was the number of scoring opportunities we had and our ball movement. Well done to Justin Nikolovski, Alex Harris and Tom Jarman.

A very big thank to all PASS members and parents for their tireless work at the bbq. Your presence and support is greatly appreciated not only by the boys but by all coaching staff.

No doubt that we are looking forward to Melbourne Grammar this week.

Unfortunately the 2nds weekend started with another disappointing loss, 5-0 to Geelong Grammar. For most of the first half we managed to keep a potent Geelong attack relatively quiet, with plenty of players helping out in defence. However, this meant we couldn't supply our forwards with enough ball to generate a meaningful threat on goal. As we tried to spark something by pushing players forward in support we became more exposed at the back, consequently our lack of accountability resulted in a few quick goals that got our heads down. We were on the back foot in the second half, as our failure to clear crucial balls and make important tackles allowed them to add to their tally of goals which blewout to an unjust scoreline. Our best players were Ming, Charlie and Kaedom who did an exceptional man-marking job on their highly skilled opponents.

Once again, we lost a game that we deserved at least to draw. On a fine day with a reasonable crowd from the Mother's Day barbecue, Caulfield shaded the first half, but were lucky to go in 1-0 up after a mix-up at a corner. In the second half, they quickly (and disappointingly) added a second, before we dominated the last half hour of the match, but could only pull one back. Our defence was particularly good in this game apart from 10 minutes after the half time break, and we created many chances, but couldn't put them away. Goal: Chan. Best: Bethune, Tham, Rubenstein, Gan. 4th XI Xavier 1 - 9 Scotch W Riedler 4ths soccer had a very good win over Xavier 9 - 1. It was a very even performance by the whole team and the back 4 played really well. Two players scored hat-tricks and there was an unusual occurrence of a goal from tap off in the centre and immediate shot from the centre resulted in a spectacular goal. Boys enjoyed the game.

Scotch got off to a poor start and went 2 goals down early on. However the team was not phased and came back strongly to eventually win 9 goals to 3. Muhammed N scored an amazing hatrick, while Angus M and Chris T got 2 goals. Andrew Y and Chris R also scored 1 each.

Year 10

Our first home game of the season, we got off to a great start against Geelong Grammar; our much improved hunger and attack of the ball rewarded with an early goal ten minutes into the game. After a period of great possession play, Bear swung in a lofted cross from the left for Palazzo to head in at the far post. For the rest of the first half, Geelong had much of the ball yet failed to threaten our goal; our backline bolstered by great debuts in defence to Ravida and S. Murphy.

After the break, our class and skill shone through as the game opened up. Each attack looking likely to bring a goal, we eventually put six past Geelong in the second half. Palazzo again opened the half’s scoring with Strangward also scoring a brace. However, Troupakis’ long-range volley was without doubt the highlight of an entertaining second half. All in all, a great team effort.

Goals; Palazzo (2), Strangward (2), B. Murphy, Whitelock, Troupakis

Scotch struggled to match Caulfields skills all over the pitch. However, a great effort was put in by all the boys who pushed through to the final whistle.

The Geelong coach allowed three players from the A's to play against a 10C team. At half time, scores were 1 all but Geelong took the lead shortly after play resumed. Scotch tried valiantly but in the end we were no match. Two Geelong players were red carded for crude tackles but we failed to capitalise on a penalty and conceded one at the other end for an errant handball.

Two highlights of the game were a 30m goal by Kiko, which the goalkeeper could just stand and watch sail past him and the referee stopping the game because of two large cranes trying to place an enormous beam as part of the works on the freeway.

Year 9

Scorer . Eric Kang

With 6 regular players missing because of promotion or injury, the 9As played an outstanding, strategically sound game against formidable opposition. With sturdy defence and swift counter attack, Scotch managed to secure a courageous draw.

After a fragile opening in which Haileybury dominated, Scotch slowly gained the upper hand after conceding the opening goal. With Tom Druitt and Chris Olorenshaw dominating in the midfield, a superbly taken free kick evened up the game and saw Scotch take greater control up until the last 10 minutes of the game. Apart from Tom and Chris, the team was well served by Mike Welsford in goal who made many superb saves and Eric Kang (the goal scorer) up forward who troubled the Haileybury defence all day.

CANCELLED by Caulfield Grammar

The 9C Blues started the match well, with a quick goal from Sam Hamza taking a shot inside the box, managing to find its way into the bottom corner of the net. A second followed, a wonderful long-ranged throw from Adam Harris picked out by Shane Anthony, fresh from the Military Band trip to China, who slotted it in the back of the net with ease. By this stage BGS had only 9 men on the pitch but by half-time they had a full squad.

The second half began well also, with the team stringing together many passes that had not been seen the previous week. The defense coped with everything thrown at them and helped set up the third goal, a long pass from the defense, again, latched onto by Shane who scored his second goal. Shane had another chance 5 minutes later but missed. Scott McNeil took a chip at the keeper and scored his first goal of the season. Sam Hamza finished the match with a quick breakaway, 1-on-1 with the keeper after a lackluster goal-kick and finished well. Simon Ho, and especially Will Zhang also played very well in defense and Rob Walker was always threatening down his wing. Josh Simpson held the back line well, clearing the ball the full length of the pitch on occasions. The final score, Scotch 5, BGS 0.

Year 8

A well-contested game where 2 Scotch goals in the last 10 minutes made the score less balanced than the game was. Scores were S Lim (2), J Ghaly, J White, H Hackett.

The 8A Blues turned up at Fawkner exhausted after a long week at camp. This didn’t seem to slow them down though, with an early goal from Peter Massaranay against the formidable Wesley keeper. Scotch peppered the crossbar with shots and were very unlucky to not score more goals than they did, Ben Jackson in particular. Two more goals came from Tom Kent, who skilfully chipped the keeper to score both times. The Scotch back-line kept Wesley scoreless with a courageous performance from Ben Grace. Notable players Peter Massaranay, Dan Strangward, Ben Grace. Goal scorers Tom Kent - 2, Peter Massaranay - 1.

Superb 2-1 win over a very strong Melbourne Grammar side. Goals were from Jono Ryan who has been excellent since moving up from defence last game. In the first half Melbourne Grammar were the better side and deserved a 1-0 lead, however our boys turned the momentum around, and after a Jono Ryan goal from a free kick, Scotch were on top. With minutes to go, Jono stepped up again and scored a brilliant goal from the edge of the box. Alex Bear played very well at left wing, as well as Sam Palmer in defence, during the second half. Gordie also made several crucial saves in the goals.

Once again the odds were against the 8B Blue team with a squad of only ten men to face Caulfield, this was due to illness and injury. The match stared off at a frantic pace with Caulfield running hard and fast and passing the ball well across the pitch. Caulfield took the lead through a well-worked goal which saw their loose player drift in to the box undetected as we were a man down. Andrew and Victor were linking well in attack as we tried to gain an equalizer. A moment of brilliance by Tim Sladden leveled the score with a winding run up the centre of the field, which involved getting passed a few defenders before slotting it past the keeper. The score was now level and the game was their for the taking, however we then lost key player Daniel to a knee injury which meant we were playing 9 against 11 with subs. Déjà vu occurred as loose Caulfield players were exploiting gaps and making promising runs as they managed to hit a second goal.

In the second half Scotch desperately pressed for an equalizer but could not get this despite some great runs by Victor. Defender Robert was very impressive in this second half pushing up the field and creating some great plays and if the ball got passed him the defence was being well marshaled by Hayden and Johno with the keeper Jamie making some more impressive saves to keep the score as it was. The final score was 1-2 to Caulfield, the lads from the 8B Blue team ran their hearts out and were very tired after the game, the players should be proud of their determination and fight to the end and could consider themselves unlucky due to being 2 players down for the majority of the game but still giving Caulfield a big scare.

The match was very one sided from the start, with Scotch attacking for most of the first half and St Kevins on the counter. After 15 minutes of Scotch pressuring the St Kevin's defence, the first goal came through Phongpol who tucked away a neat shot past the keeper. Liang Qu had a shot on the left wing close to the halfway line only to miss the goal by a metre. Andrew Acutt followed that with another scrappy but deserved goal into the bottom right corner and then Scotch was awarded a penalty, which Angus Gill calmly put away. The half ended 3-0 in Scotch's favour.

The second half started off much like the first with Scotch pressuring the St Kevin's keeper. St Kevin's tried to counter attack when they could however a brilliant performance from all defenders proved too much for the St Kevins team. Phongpol added 2 more goals and Nick Bernardo added another goal onto a generous tally. Oliver Nicole and Kyle had played extremely well throughout the whole match feeding the strikers and wingers. It was a great day for the strikers with Phongpol getting his first hat-trick for the season. A notable performance must go to the defenders and goalkeeper for the clean sheet. It may have been easy pickings for the strikers but the defenders performed solidly for the whole match rebounding any attack. Chris Leung prevented any balls from coming within his zone with many fluent clearances. Dimitri and Nick Maclean, the two big men of the team intimidated the St Kevin's strikers with their hard kicking and overwhelming body pressure. Andrew Hung also did well on the right as he also pushed up into the midfield to provide extra support.

It was a great match for the 8c reds and I am sure we will see more captivating performances by the boys as well as improvement.

Y8C Blue lost badly to Carey this Saturday with the score Scotch 0 to Carey 5. We had only 10 players and our team did not seem the right one to be against such a strong team.

Year 7

Yr 7 B Red was so eager to have their first victory and they did so in a stunning style. They worked as a great team, keeping the position of the ball, passing, switching and eventually shooting. They beat the opposition by 7:0. The beauty is that all of the 7 goals were scored by 5 different players. The best player has to be Captain Cormac Relf who scored three goals. He has the ability to sense the chances and converted them remarkably.

7B Blue Melbourne Grammar 1 - 1 Scotch P Lewis Scotch 1 (Andrew Copolov) drew with MGS - Wadhurst 1

Best Players: Jordan Hall, Luke Stratford, William Legge

Under a typically grey Melbourne cloud cover, the Scotch team lined up against Wadhurst on a pitch somewhat smaller than that used for games in previous weeks.

The first half was a battle of the backs with some occasional glimpses of promising forward movement. Both teams struggled to push the ball into attack as the play see-sawed between midfield and backs at either end. At half time a 0:0 scoreline looked to be the best that either team might hope for.

In the second half both teams started to play more attacking football and opportunities started to present themselves. An unfortunate communication glitch saw a MGS striker push the ball between two backs and into the net. However, not long after this yet another promising forward thrust by Scotch saw a ball crossed from the wing to the waiting boot of Andrew Copolov who made the most of the pass and evened the score. The remaining 5 minutes saw several more promising, but unrewarded Scotch moves into the penalty area. The final 1:1 scoreline was perhaps a reasonable result, even if the coach is of the opinion that Scotch had the better of the play!

While everyone made a contribution, those named above as best players are to be commended for giving so much to the team's performance. The tenacity and skill they displayed was a joy to behold.

And once again, thank you parents for your vocal support of the boys - you do make a difference - well done.

The 7C’s went down 3-0 to a technically more gifted Caulfield Grammar, who probably should have been playing in the 7B league, as they played with two less players on the park, and still had no problem dribbling the ball and passing to their own lads.

The Scotch boys played better than the previous week though, and showed signs that all the training is starting to work.

Thomas Paulson did well up front, the few times the ball got over the half way line, along with Deshan Adihetty and Jeffrey Wang, who looks like he's going to take on all the defenders on his way to score a goal.

Captain Luke Caligiuri was like a rock in defence as usual, and cleared out many of the attacks that came from CG. Jeremy Tan played a better second half as he got a hold of the striker he was marking, and Steven Jakubowicz proved that when you get to the ball first, not only do you gain possession, you can also score a free kick when the opposition fouls you.

If the lads keep on improving at this pace, by the end of the season we'll have easily chalked some wins up on the board.