#AA8Sat vs Easts FC 2-0
After a great win the previous week, the mighty Dunbar were to take on Easts at Queens Park. With rain in the air, the weather looked ominous throughout the day with some of the team worrying whether the game would still go ahead, others worrying who would have to go in goal, and JP worrying that his hairspray would run into his eyes (a shower cap almost made an appearance) and his new boots getting muddy. This was after all classic mud forming weather.
Despite the worry, the game was given the go ahead and like a group of hardy men we turned up in our arctic explorer gear and huddled under the nearest tree. You may have noticed that I was wearing my “wet-weather running jacket” (not the most used item of clothing in my wardrobe if I’m honest).
However, a couple of players did display some testosterone, with JD punching the raindrops away, and Moses wearing thongs as if he’d walked straight from Rooty Hill…proper bogan-esque.
With all in attendance, but with some reluctance due to the thunderous drizzle, Dunbar commenced their pre-game routine and welcomed back a couple of Dunbar legends. JD returned from Hong Kong having arrived into Sydney that very morning. Rumour has it that the flight was actually delayed, but JD shouted at the plane until it fixed itself. And Danny, directly from a 15 Guinness’s per day lash-fest. Betty Ford had actually allowed him to attend the game, but with strict instructions that has was to check back in at game end. Pre-game routine culminated with the presentation of the ceremonial John Gnodes. Award went to Petch for some hard-fought goal and penalty conceding.
3pm – Kickoff. Dunbar got off to a cracking start with free-flowing football culminating in some great chances, yet ultimately spoiled by an inspired Easts goalie. John Rhodes was in Aguero-mode using his short but quick & bendy legs and stocky build to aggravate their defence. On the left Fletch (the white Thuram) and Marc (the follicly-challenged Pires) were combining beautifully as Dunbar looked to gain an early advantage. On the right, JP is making his name as the next David Beckham. He has the fitness of Beckham, the right foot of Beckham, and he already had a wardrobe of Christian Dior Sarongs and an appreciation of the new Yves Saint Laurent fragrance. It would be this right foot that would slide an inch perfect pass into the ongoing run of Josh who would lash the ball past the goalie into the bottom left corner. 1-0 to Dunbar.
The second was soon to follow and Dunbar won everything and continued to create chances. Craig and Kieran bossed the midfield, and despite the opposition midfield and attack being the land of the giants, at each and every goal kick a flash of ginger would appear above their head-line and all of a sudden the ball had been won and was back in Dunbar possession.
The pressure gave Dunbar numerous opportunities from corners, with Petch beating his man to the ball on numerous occasions. Although being marked by someone possessed the leap of a 6 foot 8high-jumper, and in order to beat him Petch had to leap like a majestic salmon stretching skywards in search of freedom and the football. The only problem being that Petch’s head is the shape of a 50 pence piece, and despite the ball hitting his head numerous times he was unable replicate his one-
yard cat-like-reaction-diving-header-net-tearing-thunderbolt from 2 weeks prior.
Luckily enough, John Gnodes’s head is round, although potato-like, and was able to finish off one of Peckham’s whipped corners. 2-0 Dunbar.
Well that was the most exciting bits. Second half involved grit, determination and guile with Craig and Kieran again bossing midfield, JD entering the fray and winning every ball before unfortunately taking a knock, and Lee and Moses being rock-solid, whilst playing the ball out of the back like Phillipe Albert and Warren Barton of yesteryear. Durbar were to see out the second half with no-one having left anything on the pitch. Job done. Bring on top 4.