APJSC Under 10 Whites vs Coniston Gold

In the second series of Monty Python's Flying Circus, there is a sketch entitled It's The Mind, where Michael Palin tries to talk about deja-vu, where everything keeps repeating. The opening monologue goes like this:

"Good evening. Tonight on 'It's the Mind', we examine the phenomenon of deja vu. That strange feeling we sometimes get that we've lived through something before, that what is happening now has already happened. Tonight on 'It's the Mind' we examine the phenomenon of deja vu, that strange feeling we sometimes get that we've ... (puzzled look) Anyway, tonight on 'It's the Mind' we examine the phenomenon of deja vu, that strange... how... strange..."

This is a more imaginative way of opening up this weekend's soccer match report, because you have honestly heard it all before. Taking on Coniston Gold at Terry Reserve, the Albion Park Under 10 Whites again just hadn't quite switched on in the first half, and as a result they were down 3-0 at the half time break. And once again, as has happened in every match this season, they were quite superb in the second half, once again being the dominant team and didn't stop running while their opponents tired. Attacking raid after attacking raid couldn't find the goals. No less than four shots hit the posts and bounced away from the goals, while at the other end theirs hit the posts and bounced in.The Park team once again lacked only an ounce of luck, a touch of which may have changed the result.

Indy Middleton was fantastic in goals for the whole match, saving a number of chances and found himself in the right position on most occasions. Jack Tate and Brock Young, who played at the back for most of the match, were both terrific once again. Both showed a lot of hustle to chase down attackers and force the ball off them when they thought they had an open goal to shoot. Livewires. They are great to watch.The midfield of Belle and Claire Kadwell were dogged, always in the face of the opponents midfield when they were trying to clear the ball. Josh Peters and Noah Black shared midfield and forward spots, and provided for each other excellently. Noah as always was dangerous when given the ball, while Josh ran hard up and back all day, and provided the impetus upon goal when it was needed in the second half. 

Josh's strike to bring the score back to 4-1 was fantastic, and tended to shut up the opposing keeper who had been happy to sit on the ground because, as he claimed, he was bored and no one would score against him. The fact it was SHOOSH day prevented me from suggesting anything on the field after Josh scored. Josh's corners were also terrific, and found his players perfectly on the back post, and with a bit of luck up to three goals could have been scored. He also defused a number of attacks down his wing in the first half, and his passing today was spot on. I don't like to go on too much about Josh being his father and all, but he was terrific today, and the training he is getting from Matt, Shane and Dan is paying off. I was proud of his efforts today. If only he would be that good with the stuff he has to do at home.

Up forward, Jack-Ryan Eberwein and Zoe Middleton had great days. Zoe again fought hard for the ball, and some of her passing to Jack-Ryan and Noah was exceptional. Jack-Ryan again used his strength to force his way through when he could, and he is getting better each week as well. And let's not forget "SuperSub" Zali Middleton who was like a livewire again every time she was injected onto the field. A couple of her runs through the midfield were spectacular and far beyond her years. Another great appearance from her.

The scoreboard was once again against these kids, 4-1 at the end, but once again, they dominated the second half. And though it is certainly deja-vu to say it, if they can just hold their opponents in the first half, and get some much deserved luck to go their way, they will be winning games before they know it.

The Player of the Match this week was Brock Young, who defended manfully in the first half before moving to the midfield in the second half and providing great service both back and forward.