Euge's milestone match

D'OH! 2 Albert Park Rangers 5

With Lobby away, Trev unavailable and Neil facing deadlines at work we needed Euge to produce a mate Yani, in order for us to field a full team. Without some regulars and without a sub, we were always going to struggle a bit, but early on we dominated and had a heap of chances that we could not convert. Yani was late so Steve from Junior Bananas filled in a played some nice stuff and should have scored a couple of times. When Yani showed up he quickly got boot to ball and the next moment was closing in on goal as the cross came over and could have had a dream start to his D'OH! Career. Instead the shot went wide and we had still not scored. Then Euge bowled one down the wing for the skipper to run on to and his shot found the far corner and at last we were on the board.

At half time there was not much in it, but we were puffing as fitness is not our strong suit. With the advantage of the sub they started to take control in the second half as the game became harder and harder for us. Kev produced a goal but their keeper continued to surprise with his ability to get part of his body to the ball and the post and bar did the rest to frustrate us. We leaked at the back and Euge saw plenty of action. There is usually a save that sticks in the memory and last week was no exception. Having hit the deck to block the initial thrust, it was clear to most observers that Euge was in no position to stop the attacker from scoring but Euge had other ideas. As the shot came in an arm and a hand shot up and parried it away for yet another miracle from the 200 gamer.


A pity then that we could not mark Euge's landmark game with a win but at least we were able to go the pub with Euge and have a few beers with him. Euge is now the third most capped D'OH! Player behind the skipper and Simon Jennings after moving ahead of Steve Penny who has been stranded in the high 190s for a couple of years. Now Euge has Simon in his sights and all being well will move into second place before the end of this year. As it happens, Euge will not make an appearance this week because of other commitments.


With Kev now injured, things are looking tight so it will be all hands. Sadds it would be great to have you play if you can.

(25-AUG-2008)

Late Night Draw

D'OH! 6 Jackson 5 6

This was pretty exciting although as Lobby pointed out, we would have enjoyed things more if we had had a sub. Lobby himself grabbed an excellent hat trick and there was splendid drama as we trailed by 2 with not long to go and managed to get back on terms. In the end it would have been tough on either side to lose, so a draw was fair, as is the cliché. Lobby got the first when really there was not much on. With the skipper shepherding the defender near the corner, Lobby harried from the other side and emerged from the corner zone with the ball before banging it under the keeper through an acute angle for a great start. Not much later the skipper robbed the same defender on half way and drove home firmly with his left to double the lead.

Euge played despite being off work during the day and was probably not at his best. A few that you would normally expect him to save slipped past him but of course he kept out a lot too and it was a huge relief for the rest of us that we did not have to do a spell between the sticks. The game started to ebb and flow and in the second half they started to gain an ascendancy on the scoreboard. Kev won a tackle on the wing and sent the ball long to Lobby who was unmarked further down the flank. Lobby did the rest.

Still buzzing after that precise finish, Lobby then played pivot as the skipper moved forward and received the return pass to slam it high into the net. Very much game-on. Lobby worked his way to the by-line and dragged it back to Plaino in the perfect position about a metre out. The build up demanded a goal, but unfortunately Plaino could not quite get a foot on it. Lobby vented his frustration with a rare (for him) swear word.

Their keeper had been quite adventurous all night and now Lobby found him out by intercepting a pass near halfway and curling the ball into the unguarded net. We were now one down with not much time to play. We won a corner and Kev received the pass with plenty of defenders around him. Swivelling deftly, Kev then ripped the ball into the roof of the net for a goal that clearly delighted him (and why not?) and brought us level with seconds to play.

That was it. The elation of playing in an exciting game quickly wears off when you realise that it is 11.20pm on a Monday night and you still have to wind down after the game.

Next week the game is at a more civilised time of 7.20pm against Albert Park Rangers. Euge will play his 200th game so let's put in a big one for the Euge.

(18-AUG-2008)

The Kevin Seward Show

D'OH! 5 Five Ten 2

It's always good to report an outstanding individual effort, especially during the Olympics. Last Monday was Kev's night as he had the Midas touch and scored all our goals. Firstly he robbed a defender and slotted home. Next he stepped up to take a freekick and blasted it through the wall and although the 'keeper did well to get various body parts behind it, he was unable to prevent it going over the line. Not long later, Kev burst through again and perhaps sensing that this was going to be a good night, shot early and aided by a slight deflection watched with delight as his shot found the bottom corner for his hattrick. The first half was not yet over but there was another goal to come as Neil pulled the corner back for Kev who met it sweetly and sent it into the far side of the goal.

At the other end we had let a couple in - the skipper's poorly weighted pass cost us the first one as we started shakily. Not too much damage was done and we turned at halftime with a lead and Kev bubbling.

In the second half things settled down a bit and Kev eased off the accelarator. Both teams made a few chances but Euge was generally untroubled and having conceded two in the first half he did not let another in.

Finally we added to our half time total. Lobby pulled the ball across and the skipper's initial shot was well saved. The ball squeezed out of the keeper's grasp and you might have thought that the lurking player at the far post would be Plaino. Not so! It was Kev and he dinked the keeper for another goal and a message to the rest that they were unlikely to find the net tonight. So the rest of us laboured for no scoreboard reward but it's always good to be part of a winning team so there were no complaints.

This week's game is at the dreaded 10.40pm kick off time and let's hope the opposition are even less enthusiastic than we are. We also hope Trev's concussion has passed so that he can take his place. As I write there is a doubt over Euge who is off work sick today. Not only does this mean we will need all hands to help out, it also means we need to take a turn in nets, something that many of us dread.

(11-AUG-2008)

Who do you call AAMI

D'OH! 5 AAMI 6

Well the report finally has been written from two weeks ago. With a six o'clock kick off we struggled to get a team on the field. Skipper was on leave in Fiji and with Lobby out due to the early start, we also had to put up with the age of technology (Aust Post blocking my email on game time a few days earlier)

We firstly had to get Kev a kit and $10 pair of shoes and the rest of the team there by 6. This happened even though Neil did miss the start by 10 min we went to the break level at 4-4 not a bad effort. Trev claimed two and Plaino the other two at this stage we thought we had a chance.

But with some second half argy bargy, Trev somehow gave away a penalty which we thought was unfair considering that at the other end Kev copped a similar foul which only earned a free. Any way they got a second in the half, thanks to a header from Trev, who in the first half deflected a neat shot past yours truly for his tally of goals conceded or scored to top 5 for the match pity it was 3 for them.

Anyway Kev chimed in our fifth late in the half and his first in cheap boots. Seeing we all have last weeks report and with the proper boots Kev can really hurt a team with his right boot.

Any way we keep kicking

So keep your eye on the reports for the remainder of the season to see if we can make to our first B Division final later this year

(04-AUG-2008)