Round 1, Thirds Vs South Yarra

def. 1 - 2

A new season it was then, complemented by a host of new faces for Central Park's 'youth' side in the 1pm curtain raiser. In Ranger's parlance, "strong pre-season form" once meant the traditional 'get-to-know-ya' piss up for the lads - not this year though (which i really struggled to adapt to...). The energy buzzing through the side during our Sunday kick abouts and practice matches signaled a change of the guard which one couldn't help be excited by. (I just hope this new 'guard' at least keeps a hip-flask on him...).

The lads arrived switched on, newly appointed club secretary, Brian quickly finding out the gig isn't all long lunches, beer and skittles, as he took the initiative and laid out the game plan.

Rod warned us early that his output would be in limited supply after he got a bit carried away on the hawker style street food amid his Eastern sojourn to 'Nam. Meanwhile, Nick 'Canonball' Jones picked up where he left off last season - on a hat-trick of Player of the Year trophies, which now threaten the shelf space of his coveted REIV Real Estate Agent (*cough* scumbag) of the Year award. (Sorry Nicky boy, i just sold property - terrible experience and i've lost all faith in mankind....).

Rangers had only beaten the Yarra once in their entire history - the last fixture, and it was a fittingly cracking game from the get go. South Yarra ex-pat Tim, in goals for Rangers, dished out the curry to some former team mates, and minutes later was nearly left red-faced as a goal mouth scramble found the Central Park no. 1 totally at sea. The perfectly weighted South Yarra lob sailed over Tim's head and goal-ward toward an empty net, only the post saving Tim's derriere as the ball bounced to safety. Close call!

Meanwhile, the diminutive Yarra striker was at his yappy best, and new boy Adit did a fine job in paying him close attention and playing the offside trap to perfection. The Rangers back four held well, Rowland taking no chances in hoofing the ball to safely and playing the General role nicely.

It was then that South Yarra rolled a through ball into the box - far too well weighted, as Tim in goals watched it trickle toward the bi-line. Rowland couldn't believe his misfortune, and yappy-yarra his good luck - who was barely in the penalty box, and accidently clipped by the burly Rangers centre-back. The big man's unfortunate penalty streak would continue, as would Tim's, who could only rue the spot kick that crept under his body. 1 nil.

The cracking pace meant regular changes, and Rangers took the opportunity to unleash their wild-card Marcek (spelling!!?!?). Hardly the most petite little thing, Marcek, with his knuckles seemingly scraping along the ground was pivotal in dragging Rangers out of their own half and putting South Yarra on the back foot with his aerial dominance and fortress like presence. Coupled with Canonball, the spaces began to open up nicely for the sweet pairing of Gaz and debutant Brendan up front.

A wave of corners and long throws (courtesy of Marcek) had South Yarra on the ropes, an errant bouncer finding it's way to Stu who desperately lunged from point blank range only to see the ball elude him."

Something had to give, and up stepped Canonball to show us all how it was done, as a goal mouth scramble fell Canonball's way, who clobbered a volley through the sea of bodies who could only look on as the ball kissed the post on it's way in for the equaliser. 1-1

Ranger's foot was well and truly on the throat of South Yarra, they just couldn't bloody 'squeeze' and help themselves to the lead, which clearly frustrated the lads. Then disaster would strike. Lamenting another missed scoring chance, a swift South Yarra counter attack down the left found poor old Adit outnumbered, Tim in goals advanced but was beaten for the second time. In she went for South Yarra's second.

Minimal changes seemed necessary at the interval and the optimistic atmos felt bigger than the rose coloured glasses of it Round 1 is famous for lulling us with. Rangers were quick of the blocks in the second stanza, Marcek and Canonball an almost comical site as they dwarfed the pride of Stonnington and owned the midfield. Ian did some shadow boxing of his own on the way to frustrating a well beaten South Yarra winger, and linked up well with come-lately James, another Rangers freshman welcomed to the side. 

Come from everywhere the new boys did, Jordan (who for some odd reason i can envisage ending up with a stupid nickname like 'disco' or similar) played out of his skin and ran all day. Out wide, Anthony also donning the blue and white for the first time, was dangerous all day and quickly made an impression on not just the wing but his new team mates too. 

I'll get my hand off it for now though, and jump back to the football....

The corners, long throws and even the odd back-pass free kick lended themselves as genuine scoring opportunity's and it seemed just a matter of time - and when Canonball's next strike on goal missed the target, yet ended up in Camberwell, South Yarra were on red alert. 

Central Park were then forced to shuffle some things around, as Rod pulled something - a thigh? Rod, remind to tell you the story of how i once (and only bloody once) ate frog, hawker style, off the street in Vietnam and the 9 hour flight home the next day. Oh i've distracted myself again....

Suddenly down a man, the lads showed great versatility to fill the void left by Rod's departure, and pushed on in search of a goal

But for all the battles the Rangers lads won, South Yarra would hang on and win the war. Shame. Alas, every cloud has it's silver lining, and with the much needed new blood on board, victories aplenty are assured as the team continues to gel.

Solid start lads! 

Crowd Pleasers:

Marcek

Canonball Jones

Adit

Jordan