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Tigers Hammered by Students

» Posted by Spud on 06-Jun-05

A disappointing Balmain suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of the University of NSW on Saturday. Balmain lost keeper Matt Mulhall to injury within the first quarter of an hour, which meant a first grade debut for Andrew Pye. The Tigers then conceded on the half hour mark after a period of sustained dominance from the home side. The Tigers went into the sheds at half time with little to show for their efforts apart from an Eric Lynch free kick and a Nathan Little header that both went over the top without troubling the keeper. The Tigers conceded from a free kick early in the second half, then lost Lorenzo Merlino for two bookable offences within the space of 10 minutes. UNSW took advantage of the extra man, scoring twice late in the game to round off a comfortable victory.

The U21s were extremely unfortunate to end up on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against the competition leaders. Controlling posession and creating most of the chances in the first half wasn't enough as Uni somehow managed to keep the ball out of the net. Among the near misses, Noel Deasey had a free kick that hit the side netting with the keeper well beaten and Dean Tutic had a headed effort cleared off the goal line. The game continued in a similar vein in the second period until the Tigers were hit with a classic sucker punch, conceding from a 70th minute corner when a Uni player was allowed to head home unchallenged at the far post. Despite the loss, the Balmain side looked more than capable of matching it with the competition front runners, and will look forward to possibly facing them again come finals time.

You could almost write an identical match report for the U19s - playing the league leaders they held their own and created several decent chances, only to concede an 89th minute goal to go down 1-0. Producing a performance of cool, calm assurance at the back, Dave "Cucumber" Pye took home the man of the match award, which ended up being a couple of glasses of coke drunk through an open window at the Exchange Hotel. Unfortunately the photo of sad looking Dave peering in through the pub window turned out to be unrecognisable.

Comments

  Posted by Frenz of Balmain at 11:02 AM on 08-Jun-05

Sorry to see Lorenzo pick up a red card last Saturday, it really should have gone to coach Luke Andrews. What is going on coach? We, the Frenz of Balmain have lost confidence in you.
The team has played 10 games with 10 vastly different combinations. Who will you select next week, will we see Matt and Justin up the front? Hey why not try it! Seriously though mate this is getting ridiculous and very difficult to watch.
In case you hadn't noticed, you had strikers playing as defenders, Gavin on the bench, Grant and Chris excellent young defenders in the under 19's , Dave Hardwick pulled back to a defensive role, Henrick pulled off at halftime and Julian left to languish on the bench. You would think that 3 down in the 2nd half some strikepower would be required - no, you bring on a defensive midfielder. What were you defending?? 3 Nil, 4 Nil, 5 Nil, who cares! What your team required was some go foward and goals. Does Swede know why he was pulled? Because we dont.
Julian and Henrick two of the fittest young men in the club scored a heap of goals in 2004 against tiring defences, have the courage to give them some gametime and you will reap rewards. We have hardly seen these quality players on the park this season, likewise Jackson a gutsy midfielder rarely seen in midfield.
What particularly upsets us is that this is a good club that worked hard to achieve promotion. The players are available, recognise them, select them and stick with them. They are there and will give you the results.
Before the season is completely f**d up maybe you should try a bit of consultation with some of the seniors of the club, recognise that the core of last years great team are still with the club and buy into some of that greatness.
We challenge you to lead by consensus or are we to assume that your military background won't allow this?
In the meantime, here is our TEAM....

Justin
R/B Grant Eamon Anthony L/B Gavin

Dave.H Eric Jackson Henrick
Julian Nathan

BENCH: Jem, Sean, Danny, Danny, Matt
Lorenzo- suspended
Chris Grayson required in underage teams.

Yours with the best of intentions the "Frenz of Balmain".

  Posted by davic at 02:43 PM on 08-Jun-05

Hi Frenz,

Is that a French name? Some interesting points raised good to see freedom of speech is still alive and well in Australia - 'though I fear for not much longer.

  Posted by Friend of a Frenz at 03:31 PM on 08-Jun-05

well that certianly adds some spice to this weeks humdrum match report! Any frenz of the mighty tigers are frenz of mine

  Posted by ollieb at 08:12 AM on 09-Jun-05

THATS THE SPIRIT. GO THE MIGHTY TIGERS!

  Posted by Cant wear Balmain Colours at 10:02 AM on 09-Jun-05

Thanks for the vote of confidence Frenz.

I have to go with Luke on this one, he told me why he made the selections he did on the day. Perhaps you might like to discuss these issues with him rather than offering a public slagging and promoting a lack of confidence in our head coach.

Matt M

  Posted by Frenz of Balmain at 02:15 PM on 09-Jun-05

On ya Matt! We're pleased you know what is going on! Maybe Coach Andrews can use this forum to tell the rest of us. This is not about a public slagging, if you re-read our text carefully you will note critisism and options. Our aim is to put the mighty back into the Tigers, if it hurts - TOUGH!
Yours with the best of intentions
Frenz of Balmain

  Posted by Cant wear Balmain Colours at 06:04 PM on 13-Jun-05

CRITICISM and OPTIONS?

I see your preferred starting XI and the "option" of giving a red card to Andrews. I see a point of view in there somewhere, as brief as it was - and that was about bringing on a defensive midfielder. Yes, there are THREE subsistutions in a game. Let's bring on THREE STRIKERS, nevermind how the ball gets to them, because that will handle itself. </SARCASM>

Finally; why not ask, just like I said in my first post, rather than call out Andrews over a BB like an over-obsessed Star Trek fan-boy? I have known many coaches and I'll tell you they didn't feel the need to justify their selections to their players in public - players had the balls to ask them personally "How do I get my spot back".

Can't wit for your next response. This is kinda fun.

  Posted by Jackson at 02:59 PM on 14-Jun-05

Matt - this issue has been resolved by Dave (http://www.balmainsoccerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=97) and the rest of the staff. We're all looking ahead to the rest of the season.

We all have the same objective, no matter what anyone's opinion is on team selection or tactics: semi-final football.

Hauling this argument back into the spotlight will in no way assist the club fulfilling this objective. Let's move on, starting tonight.

Kind regards,
Your forever gutsy (and versatile) Jackson

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