Robin Hood Saves the Day
Smarting from a disastrous defeat the week before at Bathurst, Balmian’s first grade were up against a much improved Roosters side, and with several changes made due to injuries and suspensions the game was always going to be a test of character.
The game started with Balmain creating a few half chances and seemed to be taking control but a cross followed by an unmarked Roosters player with a free header resulted in the ball hitting the underside of the bar and bouncing agonisingly over the line to give Balmain yet another mountain to climb. With a new partnership of Big Lozz and Totaro up front it took a while to get going but it was the big man who carved out Balmain’s first real chance when he brought the ball down from the sky and flicked it past the keeper only to see it hit the upright and roll to safety.
The second half began with The Tigers beginning to believe in themselves and they started to apply pressure to the Roosters defence, with Parrelli, Modena and Jaffrey pulling the strings it needed that final touch and composure Balmain has been missing upfront. Step forward Birchgrove’s own Robin Hood in Lozz Merlino! The big man toiled tirelessly upfront throwing himself at everything, first a header just over the bar, then one off the line, and this seemed to inspire his band of merry men around him. Then in the 60th minute a ball put the burly forward through on goal, with a defender closing him down he coolly side stepped him then with the coolest of finishes ARROWED his shot into the far corner for a sublimely taken goal.
Not finished Lozza Hood had another shot blocked by the keeper and his rebound saw it eclipse the bar for another Roosters escape, this was followed when the same man yes Lozza put through Ilias (Fetch Boy) Hatzidavid only for the panting forward to hit straight at the keeper. With a few scares at the other end the game ended with both teams disappointed but willing to accept it was a fair result in a 1-1 draw.
At ye old pub where upon Balmain’s subjects feasted upon suckling pig and fine ales served by Exchange wenches, The man of the match flagon went to, you guessed it Robin Lozza Hood, for which he thanked all with some words of wisdom, “You’s only get out what’s you’s put in boys”. A true latter day hero who robs from opposing defences to give to Balmain!
Despite almost making a meal of their match, the reserve team continued on their merry undefeated ways with a last gasp 3-2 victory. Ahead early after Dave Hardwick poached a goal, the Roosters were able to equalise after some keystone cops defending. El Capitan Diego “let me take the penalties”, never one to let the reality of the scoring system used in football get in the way of Balmain’s tradition of missing penalties, saw his softly taken chipped penalty plucked out of the top corner by the midget goalkeeper, who was on loan from the Roosters’ under 12 team. Jamie Djambazov popped up to score his first for the season when he expertly brought down a cross and curled the ball in at the far post. Half time passed, as did most of the second half, and Balmain squandered about 36 chances to score before the Roosters showed Balmain how to take a penalty – in off the post and it was 2-2 in the 90th minute. Faced with the shame of giving up their perfect record, Balmain immediately went back up the field and scored after Julain Bracewell carved out a chance for Craig Andrews. 3-2 victors but the reserves really can play a lot better than this.
