U18 Glen Waverley v Doncaster Rovers 23rd May

This was the game to separate the “men from the boys” well at least second from the rest!
Rovers started with Luke in goals, Diego sweeping, Johnny & Daniel as twin Central Defenders, James & Steven as right and left wing-backs respectively, Drew, Michael, Connor & Ricky in a Midfield Diamond & Matt up forward. Chris & Paul F were out injured.
After the Ref had measured the ground, the pitch and every line known to man, the game started with Glen Waverley putting on the afterburners to split our defense apart but their shots on goal were ending up in the street rather than in the net!
Soon after, another long through ball was signaled offside and our boys stopped. However, another GW player swooped and scored their first goal as we looked on. It is called passive offside and the defenders should never stop until the fat lady sings! Shortly after GW were into attack. Rovers gave away an unnecessary free-kick just outside the penalty box. A Thunderous free-kick found the back of the net via a gap in the defensive wall. Rovers were now 2 – 0 down and most of the boys were still waking up.
We were thinking come on guys, get the ball, pass to a team-mate and put them under pressure. This is exactly what they did. Connor ran onto a good pass and his left foot drive, found the top right hand corner of the net, beating the keeper’s out-stretched hands, as we finally got on the board. It was obvious the game had evened up as Rovers were now controlling more of the play and putting GW under a lot of pressure. One of the GW players went down after a good tackle by James as Rovers now began to exert its authority. The ball was travelling end to end with Rovers displaying better control for most of the time. Steve made a good run down the left, cut back onto his preferred right foot and sent a pin-point cross into the box where Matt’s glancing header leveled the scores. This was short lived as Diego dribbled at the back instead of clearing and GW’s No 7 picked up the loose ball. Desperate lunges by both Diego and Daniel could not prevent GW’s third goal which put them back in front as the whistle blew for half-time.

Half-time score: Glen Waverley 3 : Rovers 2

Rovers came out all guns blazing and within minutes Diego to Ricky to Matt – GOAL. Matt’s second, again leveled the scores and had everyone saying “we are on” as the boys clicked into top gear.
Luke put in a good save as the goals were being peppered at both ends, however with good passing “to the feet” (see Steve – Coaches instructions) Rovers were looking the class side. Soon after Drew made a deft side pass to Michael who’s miss-timed cross found the back of the net and gave Rovers the lead.
We were now well and truly in control and hey, you make your own luck in this game.
Rovers continued to press, with the ball in the GW half most of the time. This led to Connors dad Leslie, as linesman for the game, requesting an oxygen mask plus golf buggy! One thing I can say for sure is I never run out of air taking notes so this is why “the pen is mightier than the sword”. There are a few other reasons to this adage and if you don’t believe me then ask John Palomares, he understands!
Back to the game as Rovers were running rampant.
Johnny’s diagonal cross - field ball found Ricky at the far post, who had peeled away from his marker. A well - timed header made it 5 - 3 and asserted Rovers supremacy.
Michael took several corners and on one, Matt put away a nice loose ball for his hat-trick to put Rovers further in front. This game was becoming a real goal feast as all the supporters were asking “what was the score?”
Finally GW pressed to pull back the margin after poor defensive marking, however Rovers were not finished as another corner allowed Daniel to run into the box and put away a nice volley to really finish off GW.
Plaudits from the parents, who can all see a real team emerging that can take on anyone. We had winners on every line and who played terrific games : Johnny, James, Steven, Drew and Connor really put the ball to advantage and turned defense into attack.
Paul D, Lucas, Anthony Petar & Andrew are all contributing, to make this a very worthy squad indeed.

Scores at full-time: Glen Waverley 4 : Rovers 7

ROVERS – a very good team effort today boys, keep up the intensity for all the game next week, including the FIRST ten minutes. We can be the best if we are really determined. Have an early night before the game and yell out like a real team!!!