Well, it was the big game. The episode of football that everyone tunes into. Local rivals Brookvale FC; Brookie, The Blues.., they arrived at David Thomas Reserve and as always, meant business.
What were we in store for this week? A silencing in both grades? Joy and elation as Vale strip Brookies' unbeaten run and we gain a valuable win. Well reserves were off first and 1pm was kick off time.
Pre match the tension, energy and focus was apparent. I could smell that we were up for it. Everyone had learnt a lesson the week before when we should have finished off Beacon Hill. Buy hey we don't dawn on the past and the present was first placed Brookvale. it was game on.
We kicked off and both teams were playing football. It was fast and furious and truthfully, very enjoyable. We nudged a goal pre half time and it was into the sheds feeling confident and pumped.
We came out of the sheds and continued our efforts on Brookies' goal. Big Keith "Swanny" Swan tapped in a nice knee from a Fresh free kick. 2 - 0! We were looking good and strong. Hats off to Brookie they were in this game and their hunger and quality was always present. Vale had a player sent off and it was down to 10 men and time to hang on and try to keep the points in the bag. Brookvale stepped up the pressure and Krankovich and friends got a goal back. They continued the pressure and it was 2 - 2. In the dying moments Liam Douch calmy popped a lob at the Brookie net and it nearly bounced in. It was not to be and the final tally was 2 a piece. Brookie and Strikers are the two teams to beat this season and we could have beaten them. Role on the re match at Grahams Reserve!
First Grade
In first grade it was Vale's chance to net our first three points against an allegedly "paid" Brookie side of players. Gabriel "Chi Chi" Mendez being one of them. We have our own class and talent and Nath in the middle shone. Ben Charles out on the right did everything right. Sammy Walling had a great game too! We pressured and we nearly netted a few. Brookie scored a wonder goal from their big burly captain as he calmly looked up from 35 yards and slotted the ball into the back of the Vale net. We were in the game and unlucky to be down by 2 goals at half time. In fact all game we played football and kept the pressure on Brookie. "Giggsy", up front for the Blues, was always a worry and his enthusiasm and trickery paid off when he scored Brookvale's fourth and final goal. He had a blinder!
So first grade are still searching for that elusive win. I will say "hats off" to Gabriel "Chi Chi" Mendez. Chi Chi is a true sportsman who offered a helping had to an injured Neil. He was also a class act on the pitch and great for the Northern Beaches League! A great player and a great guy. Such a shame he picked up a bad injury back in the 90's, otherwise he might have been an established Socceroo back then!
This picture is dedicated to ManU fans. (Not many of them have Manc accents and they love a Prawn Sandwich!)
OK - so it's Manly Allambie next week and you know what? I think first grade are going to get their first win. like this week - it is all upstairs! We have the talent and we can play football. Lets get those minds trained on the job ahead. lets plan the week ahead. Two good training sessions and then Saturday it is all on! If we all focus we can snare our first 6 points for the season.
Go on The Vale!
2 comments:
Gabriel "Chi Chi" Mendez is certainly a class act. He was great at Blacktown last year and he is truly a decent bloke! Good on him and it looks like Brookie could be unbeaten all season! It is a little unfair if players are getting paid their, because this is amateur football. But hey if Brookvale network and have the professionalism to attract players of his calibre, then other clubs should take not. Brookvale are a well oiled machine and always manage to have a good strong squad of players. Manly Vale is a big club and I am sure can be one of the top four clubs! Good luck next week Manly Vale!
Yeah if they do pay players that is unfair, however on the flip side if Chi Chi plays in the local comp - isn't that good for the game locally? I would love to play against the cheeky Argentinian Ozzy. I watched the game and the score was not just. Manly Vale looked good and I am scratching my head as to why they have not notched a few wins this year? They have some quality in that side for sure!
Post a Comment