Div 1 Match 10 – Vancouver Olympics

Ominous clouds loomed over Kensington Park South as the teams arrived to contest the latest VMSL Div 1 clash. Rinos, form favourites and especially on song in recent weeks, held high hopes, eager to avenge a loss in the season opener.

Despite widespread relief that the match had been relocated to the better of the baseball fields on offer at Kensington, Rinos appeared slow to adjust to the local, organic surface. In line with the culinary delights on offer at club affiliated sports bar, the Sin Bin, flat, fast and rubbery seem to be qualities the team prefers.

Perhaps the dirty tricks employed by the Vancouver Olympics team also unsettled Rino’s play early on? A sneaky attempt to plant a couple of spies in the Rino’s dressing room before kick-off was foiled by Ken ‘I’ve seen it all before’ Adlof. Despite this embarrassment, the Olympics squad saw fit to delay their entrance to the field. One can only wonder what was going on in the dressing room for so long, though by the look of at least one of the players it is strongly suspected that some form of steroid was involved.

Olympics certainly appeared to be pumped up, fielding a number of mid-season additions including the notorious Serbian shoe shiner of seasons past, and it was they that had the better of the early exchanges. Rino’s battled hard and managed some neat exchanges but Olympic’s keeper, namesake of old Leeds United legend John Lukic, remained barely untested aside from a decent stop from a long range effort from Dylan.

A number of attempts on the Rino’s goal were met by fine saves from man-of-the-match Jeff Thom. Bligh marshaled his troops at the back and attempted to shut down the Olympics attack by launching the ball out of danger and almost out of orbit. One clearance went so high that it almost brought an air hostess down with it. But before long the deadlock was broken, possession was lost, Olympics stole in and tucked the ball in the net.

Rino’s tried to find a response, although it was all looking rather pedestrian until Paul – in what looks to be his last game for the club – pinged an excellent ball out to the left to Dylan who played a perfect ball back across the box which Charlie finished with aplomb.

Cue Sasha the Serbian shoe shiner. A great tackle from Dylan on the edge of the box was judged a foul by referee Miro, and the resulting free kick was nicely curled round the wall and in.

The half time team talk from coach Ken was a tough one. It ended with a rallying cry to take the second half, the prize at stake: a potential move up to first place.

Rino’s responded with a more coherent, compact and generally much improved showing in the second half. The introductions of Lenny, Sam and Cory each providing a boost when it was needed. Though chances were few and far between, tempers flared and a rash of bookings followed. It would take something special to get this much-needed equalizer.

And sure enough it came. A surging attack up the right side, resulted in a corner, and Andrew lined up to take the kick. Meanwhile Charlie and Bligh were setting up a special Andy Carroll inspired move that they have surely been practicing at home. Charlie grabbed on to Bligh and waited for the corner. Wadey sent a great ball in and Charlie put that work

in the gym to good use, propelling Bligh through two defenders and against the ball which then zipped happily into the bottom right of the net. What a goal.

With Bligh’s right boot still sparkling, both teams pressed until the final whistle. Rino’s had the better of the closing stages but couldn’t find that extra impetus to secure a winner.

That’s it then for another week. Best wishes to Paul for his future endeavours, and congratulations to Jeff for his man of the match display.