Scotch College

Match Reports - Round 10 - 26 July 2008

Seniors

1st XI BYE (APS)

John Roe Shield: Scotch 0 – 5 St Peter’s College (Adelaide) G Patouras

The Firsts set off to Adelaide this weekend to contest the John Roe Shield against St Peter’s College in Adelaide. Each year the Firsts from each College meet to play for the John Roe Shield, alternating between Melbourne and Adelaide. This year it was our turn to travel to Adelaide and Scotch entered into the game holding the Shield. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing result in which Scotch lost 5-0. Well done to St Peters and we look forward to next year’s challenge.

We had an early start at 8.30 with frost still on the ground even thpough the sun was trying its best. The boys wanted to warm up as it was so cold and after the game began it was OK. We started slowly 1:0, then against the play 1:1. That really stirred the boys up and they played fast productive football, half time score 7:1. Usually we have fallen away second half due to fitness but not this time. The boys scores another 6 goals which was amazing, with Dower scoring a hat trick and even as a defender late in the game Lincoln McPhee scored his first goal (ever??). All boys played well as is indicated by the final result.

Scotch faced St Kevins at 8:30 am, and came out firing from the start. Two early goals to Scotch through a penalty by Chris R and a good finish by Alex W gave us an early lead. St Kevins managed to get one back, but Andrew Y scored before half time to lead 3-1 at the break. The second half Scotch played even better, and managed to get another 3 goals whilst keeping a clean sheet. The highlight of the match and the play of the season was a great run by Chris R, who was on a hat-trick and managed to get in scoring position against the keeper, but then realised that his teammate Andrew Y was in a better position so passed the ball off to ensure a certain team goal. Another stand out effort came from Sarama T in defense. Andrew Y scored 3 goals, Chris R 2 goals, and Alex W got one goal.

Year 10

Starting the game strongly, we unfortunately found ourselves a goal down to an opportunistic finish from Haileybury after some untidy defending. Spurred on by this early setback, the boys lifted and we found ourselves controlling the game with much of the possession. Despite slick passing around the ground, we failed to consistently threaten the Haileybury goal however, with attack after attack breaking down in the final third from over possessing the ball. After Palazzo’s thunderous long-range effort was kept out by the underside of the crossbar and Troupakis’ strike ruled to have not crossed the goal line, it seemed the gods were against us and Haileybury scored their second from a long ball forward soon after.

Despite beginning the second half 0-2 down, the boys continued to fight and the next 35 minutes was some of the best attacking football we have played all season. After missing numerous clear-cut chances, Holland finally pulled one back with ten minutes to go after a strong run into the penalty box and a neat finish. Looking for the equaliser, we continued to attack and we had our second five minutes later when a well-taken Whitelock corner finally managed to find the net after a goal-mouth scramble. In a frantic few minutes, both sides had chances to win it late on but the match remained a draw.

It was an excellent effort from the whole team to continue to fight for a result on a day when luck just wasn’t on our side.

The game against Caulfield was always going to be tough one judging by the last contest. With a fill-in keeper (Charlie Wang) and a new central defender (Nick Caldwell) there was some doubt as to how the team would function, but these doubts were quickly dismissed due to fine performances from the new players.

Abraham Rizkalla opened the scoring for Scotch, but Caulfield quickly replied. Again Rizkalla scored due to excellent positioning and great support from the forwards. At half time Scotch were 2-1 ahead.

The second half brought some player changes, with Ken Thompson and Gleb Kotousov coming on to add some extra pace to a tired team. Unfortunately, Caulfield quickly equalised. However, Thompson went on to score a great solo goal after a blistering run to put Scotch ahead.

This was a great team effort against a very competent and competitive side. The game was played with a great spirit and enjoyed by all.

Year 9

On a very arctic morning the 9As ventured back to the corrugated potato paddock known as Fawkner Park to play Wesley College. Sadly the game was lost in the first 10 minutes when Wesley scored twice and physically out-muscled Scotch.

Despite a fine goal before half time and a courageous come back, Scotch ran out of time and could not draw level with Wesley. Best players for Scotch were Mike Welsford in goal, Adam Fitzgerald-Quirk and Gareth Whelan in defence and Chris Olorenshaw in the midfield.

A close fought match, Scotch prevailing 2-1.

The match against Brighton did not start well. We were one man down and Brighton themselves only had 9 players. They controlled too much of the ball and were able to score through sheer numbers up front. But just before our tenth player arrived, Scott McNeil linked up a brilliant pass to Ed Kiddle, who slotted the ball past Brighton's outstanding goalkeeper. With sides level, Scotch had a lot more control of the ball and the match began to turn.

After the half-time break, Scotch was able to re-assert the dominance it had shown in the last minutes of the first half. We were given a penalty for a harsh tackle on our left back, Will Field, but were unable to convert, the Brighton goalkeeper stopping another shot. But inevitably the dominance transformed into a goal, with Shane Anthony taking on the Brighton defence by himself, with support from Rob Walker. Then it was a matter of holding on for the deserved win.

Well done to the boys and, with one match left, congratulate yourselves on such a successful season.

Year 8

8A Red have not played a game for 5 weeks and were immediately under pressure from the opposition. Some desperate defending keep the score sheet clean. Then Scotch started moving the ball with excellent passing. Both teams contested well although Scotch created more opportunities and won in the end.

Goal scorers: S Lim (penalty), J White

This was the second time the A Blues met this physically stronger team and this week’s performance demonstrated their vast improvement as a team. It was a very evenly fought match with both Caulfield’s first and Scotch’s reply both coming in the first half. Special thanks to John Stavris and Alex Bear for their assistance when the squad dropped to 10 men after an injury in the second half.

Notable players: Amrith Eldridge, Jeremy Lee, Dan Strangward.

Goal Scorers: Peter Massarany (1).

Very well earned 1-0 victory against Melbourne Grammar, who we also beat 2-1 earlier in the year. Goal scorer was John Stavris from a Jono Ryan corner - well earned. In the second half the defence had to, and did, step up very well under pressure with a good Grammar side being allowed no great chances. Best players were Alex B on right wing, all the defence especially Dan at sweeper and Jono Ryan who played while sick as a dog.

Last time the 8 B Blues faced St Kevins we did not have a full team and they scored with a few minutes left in the game. With that game burning in the memory of our team we were set out on revenge, but injury and illness completed ravished our squad as we only had 8 against what seemed to be their entire senior school. In the first half St Kevins showed some arrogance in only playing 2 defenders and having 4 men up front, but despite all their vast numbers they could not penetrate the goals thanks to superb keeping from Jamie. Despite being undermanned Scotch had the two best chances of the half, at half time the boys had fought well for a 0-0 score line but there was still much to be done.

At half time a few problems were addressed and a slight line up change with recruit Nick Bernardo performing a more defensive midfield role with Dinesh and Tim in the centre. This time St Kevins played four men at the back obviously concerned with the runs of forward Victor. The second half was very similar to the first as St Kevins were thwarted by our keeper on numerous occasions, the opposition coach even talked to me trying to scout him. Déjà vu struck as with only 30 seconds left a mishit strike/cheeky chip found its way into the back of the net. Once again an undermanned team had fought for so long and were just denied, football is a cruel game. The boys deserved something out of the game considering the fact we only had 8 yet still pushed them. I strongly believe that if we had just one more man the result of that game would have been different such was the performance of ours boys. Several opposition parents came up to talk to me about Jamie and about how well he played in the game, so Jamie gained best on ground in a disappointing loss.

The match started well with the 8C's looking like a much more organised unit. Play was end to end, with the Scotch defenders pushing up providing support for the midfielders who were able to play some classy through balls to our man up front, Angus. Kyle, Oli and Welbie were playing superbly, controlling the midfield and allowing Phongpol and Angus to run into holes in the defence. Phongpol opened his account dribbling down the passage straight towards goal. Angus was unlucky hitting the post twice, however a deflected shot from Phongpol, which ricocheted off a defenders leg ended up in the bottom of the goal. Chris and Matthew looked secure in the wing back positions being rarely caught out by the opposition wingers. Tom Maclean also did well in goals to prevent a fight back from Caulfield. The first half ended 2-0.

The second half started with Caulfield forcing the issue, which paid off with a goal. The Scotch team looked very shaky following the goal but Caulfield were unable to capitalise spraying some open goal opportunities to the delight and relief of the Scotch team. Scotch were playing a counterattacking style of play because of the pressure by the Caulfield team, however on many of our breaks some disgraceful tackles by the Caulfield team were deemed "fair". The game went down to the wire in the last 5 minutes with Scotch playing with every man behind the ball.

Y8C Blue Team did not have a proper game with Haileybury last Saturday due to that only four boys turned up. Haileybury gave us four players to make the game going.

Year 7

It was chilly cold on Saturday morning. The bus was supposed to leave for Geelong at 7:10. All the 12 boys arrived on time and they were in high spirits. They have learned a lot throughout the season and knew that they must prove themselves. It wasn’t disappointing when they started the game superbly by great team work, passing accurately, switching from one side to another to create numerous chances and scored 3 goals in the first half. In the second, Geelong College boys came to put enormous pressure upon us, trying to turn the corner around and scored a goal. Our boys absorbed the pressure skilfully and played counter-attach. Linus scored his 2nd goal of the match. Matthew and Calvin each scored a terrific goal with teammates support. The result was 4:1.

The score line says it all. Outplayed in every aspect of the game.