Scotch College

Match Reports -Round 5 - 24 May 2008

Seniors

Once again we found ourselves on the back foot after conceding a very early goal. Although we rallied we where not able to influence the scoreboard at all. A defensive error in the second half saw Brighton Grammar move ahead 2-0 and the final score was 3-0 to Brighton. In the last 5 weeks we seem to be facing similar issues over and over. But our turn will come. Thank you to parents and friends who continue to offer words of encouragement to all the boys. It is vital that we all do our bit to keep the spirits of these young boys positive and a reassuring word can go a long way in achieving this. Looking forward to next week.

This was a game of two penalties, both given for non-existent handballs; when the first was given, we were cruising at 1-0 up, and when the second went in, the rout was complete at 5-1. Once more there were promising signs from the 3rds, but naivety in defence cost us (as did poor refereeing). Goal: Yang. Best: Bethune, Speight, Tham.

On a rather cold (frost on ground) morning and slippery surface the Scotch boys defeated Brighton Grammar 5 : 0. It was a very even team performance in difficult playing conditions and all boys played well.

The boys had a tougher game this week against Brighton Grammar. The score was 2-2 but the boys deserved to win. They had a lot of golden opportunities but just couldn't finish them off. The match was intensely played with both teams going hard at the ball. Jullian Holland made some spectacular saves to keep the game to a draw. That was the first draw of the season for the boys and they still remain undefeated.

Most of Geelong 6ths players did not show up to the game so Scotch was left to play a side that was primarily 1st players from the previous game. Despite this the team worked really hard to remain competitive for much of the game against a side mostly made up of players 5 divisions higher than their own. At one point the score was 2-2 and at halftime the score was 4-2 however the Geelong team ran away with it in the second term. Chris and James scored one goal each.

Year 10

This week the 10b's travelled to Wesley College, Glen Waverley. The first half started with Scotch looking uneasy on the ball and Wesley were able to slot one in within the first few minutes. From then on the team grew with confidence and stirkers Tristan and Cameron were able to get onto goal but unable to convert. The pressure was now on Wesley but Scotch missed some opportunities that could've changed the game and against the run of play Wesley scored again. A penalty was awarded to Wesley for a hand-ball in the box but Marcus came to the rescue in his best match so far and saved the shot.

The second half was face-paced and Scotch had two shots hit the post. Wesley came back with 2 late goals and a close game on the field wasn't truly reflected by the scoreline. A good effort from the team who didn't stop running until the final whistle.

In a close fought tussle, Scotch broke the deadlock moments before half time when Napone Punyagupta found space on the left and beat the goalkeeper with a well taken shot from a difficult angle.

In the second half, both teams had chances but finally a well judged run on the right by Kiko into space enabled him to slot the ball into the back of the net.

Best: Patrick Ho, Napone Punyagupta, Charlie Wong.

Year 9

The 9A are specializing in storming second halves. Yet again defensive lapses placed the team 2 goals behind a solid Brighton team. Playing on a ground that looked like it had been recently hoed for potato farming, Scotch could not generate any creative flow from its midfield in the first half and Brighton were allowed to play their game without any pressure placed upon them.

Yet again a different Scotch team emerged in the second half. The defence led by Adam Fitzgerald-Quirk completely shut out Brighton. In the midfield, Wills Gheradin completely nullified Brighton’s star play maker and Dave Newland, Tom Druitt and Chris Olorenshaw took over the game. After countless opportunities Scotch eventually scored but we were defeated by the final whistle.

It is always a bit of an adventure to go and play Brighton Grammar, finding the pitch being the hardest thing (a good occasion to go and have a slice of vanilla slice or Lamington in the St Kilda bakeries on the way).

Nevertheless, we managed to get everyone there on time, and started a game that would stay undecided for most of the first half. We opted for a more offensive tactic, Guy keeping the goals, while Peter and Michael were locking the central defence, and Wilson and Lachie, always reliable, guarded the sides. Aitan and Mark took charge of the midfield, leaving Alistair and Phil on the wings feeding in balls to the always hungry Raymond and Steven, with the help of Ed by the end of the second half. We soon realised that the danger would come from their tiny and speedy striker, marked closely by Lyndon for most of the game.

We pushed more by the end of the half and Phil escaped on his side to score a great first goal. Our defence stayed pretty focused, Guy achieving what was without a doubt the best save of the season. We kept on pushing forward, confident that our defence was in safe hands, with Michael, Peter and Wilson managing to impose themselves physically without committing any fouls. Lachie kept his wing clear the whole game with a ruthless and cold-headed efficiency, while our forwards were tormenting the Brighton side. We scored another to seal the result of what was undoubtedly our best game of the season. The Team Spirit and the Grinta demonstrated by all will be Man of the Match.

The 9C Reds played Trinity at Scotch on Saturday morning. After receiving a free kick just outside the box, Henry Bailey scored Scotch’s first goal of the match. Trinity fought back before half time and scored their first goal and the score at half time was 1-1. The Scotch boys continued to play their best match of the season, with Henry Bailey again scoring in the second half after some brilliant team passing. Despite Scotch’s dominance in the second half, Trinity were awarded a free kick with only seconds remaining in the game, and put an end to Scotch’s hopes of securing their first win of the season. The final result was 2-2. An excellent team effort with signs of great improvement.

The 9C Blues had a great victory on Saturday, prevailing 8-0 over the Carey side.

The match began and ended in the same bizarre fashion, a throw-in by Adam Harris, deflected by a defender towards the Carey goal and the goalkeeper not reacting quick enough. The second goal was a wonderful team play, working its way from the defense all the way to the goal at the other end, finished off by Rob Walker. Shane Anthony scored a couple of very powerful (and well placed) long ranged shots. Sam Hamza had another stellar match as he managed to score one goal that bounced in after hitting the crossbar and then the upright.

After the break, Shane finished off his hat-trick with a low shot that found its mark and would have added a fourth, had it not been for the upright. But it was quickly snatched upon by Rob who slotted home his second with ease, the simplest of tap-ins required. Rob too almost had a hat-trick but was denied by the keeper in the last few minutes. Another Adam Harris throw-in (which throughout the match were spectacular) and the victory was sealed. 8-0 Scotch over Carey.

Year 8

An excellent game that produced a magnificent team performance and two goals from J Collins. Thanks to T Murchie, T Kastoras and P Massarany for playing for us after their own game.

The 8A Blues stepped onto the frost-covered pitch and played with class from the starting whistle. Theo Kastoras placed Scotch in the lead in the first half, with a scramble in front of goals finishing with the ball in back of the net. Xavier replied moments after, bringing the scores level at half time. Relentless attempts through a tireless performance by Ben Jackson in the second half put Scotch in the lead, then a brilliant cross by Tom Kent was intercepted with an impressive volley by a Xavier player, scoring an own goal. Notable players: Ben Jackson, Amrith Eldridge and Gavin Williams for his excellent leadership in the midfield.

Our boys had a very unlucky loss against Burke Hall, 2-1. Our goal was from Jono, who put away another great strike and also led the team well as captain. The slippery nature of the pitch made it difficult to put away some chances that we should have buried. Our defence stood up well and the goals conceded were strikes that wouldn’t have been out of place in a firsts match. Jake Clarke was the best of the defence with some crucial clearances. Gordie was the best player on the field, making some quality saves which were all the more impressive because of the slippery ball.

The boys in the 8B Blue team once again were disadvantaged by illness and injury as we only had 8 turn up to face a competitive St Kevin’s. We played a 3-3-1 formation and I told the boys before the match started they needed to do a lot of running and the defenders needed to play zonal and tight. St Kevin’s had a few chances in the first half but the defence was standing firm and eliminating threat whilst Tim and Victor were looking dangerous in the middle of the pitch. This was the story for the rest of the game as an outnumbered Scotch team had limited opportunities and our keeper Jamie made a few important save. It looked like we had battled out a draw only for them to score in the last few minutes, but that’s football, it really is a cruel game. The boys did their absolute best and eventually fresh legs were able to exploit the tired legs of our team. We pushed hard for an equalizer but the whistle ended our hopes. A lot of character was shown today and the lads are well on their way to forming a good cohesive formation and link between each other. The Final score was St Kevin’s 1 – Scotch 0. Best players; Jamie, Hayden, Johno, Robert, Andrew, Fraser, Tim and Victor, I know that’s everyone but they really did fight to the end and considering the odds against them did exceptionally well.

The match started with Scotch 3 players away because of various reasons. This is not an excuse from what was an unbelievably good Haileybury. The first half was all Haileybury, who were more physical, faster and stronger than the Scotch players. Our defence coped reasonably well considering the class of the opposition, with Liang working hard in the right back position and Andrew Hung and Edmund (replacement player) working hard to try and prevent any goals coming on goal, however the barrage of attacks from Haileybury were too good. Tom Wong did well in goals despite the score being 2-0 at the end of the first half. Scotch had had limited scoring opportunities with the closest chance being a one on one with Will (replacement player) spraying the shot wide.

The second half was much like the first with Haileybury's presence being felt all over the pitch. Bernardo on the right wring was well marshaled by a very good left back, whilst much was the same in attack and the midfield. Chris Leung shone on the left back with some fantastic clearances helping Scotch work on the counter attack, however with what seemed to be a 4 Haileybury strikers our defence crumbled under the pressure and lack of support from the midfield. Scotch got a late consolation goal with a brilliant run from Will and a top class ball to Acutt who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for a goal. The boys did well against quality opposition.

Year 7

The 7a boys played a tough match in freezing conditions against a skilled and St Kevins side. Despite having a few great chances in front of goal, the team went down scotch 0, St Kevins 1.

Yr. 7 Red B Team worked very hard on Saturday when they were playing Melbourne Grammar in a chilly morning. It was a very close game and both sides did have several chances to score. Eventually we lost to them by 1:2. They scored the 2nd goal at the dying minute. I am very proud of my boys as they have given their best shots.

Goal: Luke Stratford

Best Players: All 12 gave 100%

Against taller opponents the 7Bs played some excellent soccer, starting to show the positional and passing skills that make this a game for thinkers. The first half was particularly good and saw many opportunities to push the ball through the SKC defence. In the second half it was our defence that came under enormous pressure and we played with great determination. In the end we gave up the midfield to a taller opposition who recognised that by keeping the ball in the air they would eventually open up direct lines on goal.

The final score is not important. The fact that everyone tried with great resolve and played the best they can makes this a game that epitomizes the Scotch spirit. Well played Scotch.

Scotch 7C's came up against a soccer juggernaut in St Kevin's on Saturday, going down 10-0. SK had a team with players that had obviously played club football, and the lads in red were up against it from the outset.

A move into the goals for midfield utility player Angus Robertson proved to be timely as he made save after save against the SK constant attack.

Aaron Chan's arrival into the team as sweeper was welcomed by the back line, but his commanding presence could only stop a handful of the relentless forays forward that SK were having.

Thomas Paulsen showed once again why he has been voted week in and week out as the 7C's player most likely to score, when a through ball was played from the half way line. Thomas latched on to it and carried it all the way to the box, and only a fantastic dive by the SK's keeper denied Thomas from opening his account for the season.

With only 15 minutes to go Linus Ng managed to show up, but unfortunately the damage had been done, and his silky skills couldn't make a dent into the SK midfield, which was well and truly settled by this stage.

Jeffrey Wang was once again tireless in attack, along with Richard Lau. James Malon moved into a defensive role out of goals, and looked right at home in the back line.

Once again the 7C's improved on last week's effort, and it'll only be a matter of time until they chalk their first win up on the board.

Best on ground was without a doubt the debutant goalie Angus. His saves, including a cracking shot from the SK striker in the second half, that he managed to parry onto the goal post, stopped the score line from reaching 20 plus.