Ive booked Mollymook again for the end of season trip. Cost will stay the same, $100 each, that will supply accommodation breakfast and beers.

Golf on the Friday, theme to be agreed upon. Entertainment being worked on.

The two homes sleep 22. Book the date with the mrs and work now, money not required until July when booking will be paid.

Jim

Jim

Any UTD guys who can cheer on the FC team and help out with beer and barbie only are invited to turn up tomorrow to watch the boys stay up in the mix for 1st spot on the ladder.

Jim

The game started strong, with a cross from Graig from a corner finding Hollers for his first. Goals then followed with Andy scoring his first from a cross and heading into the net. Hollers scored again with a great goal taking the ball wide after great movement up the paddock and punching the ball into the net. The keeper had no chance. At halftime, 3-0. Bally started much better in the second half, and played 3-4 up front to change the games momentum. It worked for them, with our defence struggling to get back. They scored with a free man out wide. Hollers scored again with a handball penalty, then Andy again after Fryday snaped a left foot shot which rebounder to A Hob who put it away. Bally then pushed 5 forward, with their fullbacks running forward. They scored after a cheap penalty was given for a slight push from Fryday in the box defending a run. Again, UTD pushed the ball around and had several attempts, one for Ricky almost found the net, and Hollers bagged his forth for the night with another well times run. Bally finished with a scrappy goal that we couldnt clear away and almost scored again on the line when Simons toe cleared that ball away.

All in all, a good result. Defence however needs work when opposition pushes forward. Man of the match, Hollers, who could have scored two more, with a great angled shot hitting the post. Rosie played well, as did Max beating his opponent time and time again to the ball from the back.

Jim

Goals to Monkey x 2, Phil, Hollers and Rosie. A much better effort, with improved passing and moving.

Andy and Craig deserved goals, unlucky on this occassion.  Craig got my Man of the Match. Phil sent a great pass through and beat the keeper.

Jim

State of Origin 23 May at the Bowlo. Money on the bar for a beer or two each.  Straight after training.

Jim and Phil  and Steve

Jim and Steve

FC  Wed 30 May 7.15pm.

United started their match against City as if they hadn’t quite got out of bed yet. There was little rhythm or understanding between the players, a situation exacerbated by a difficult wind and a bobbly pitch. The last two factors affect both teams, of course, and Shellharbour dealt with them better, resulting in a goal to the visitors after less than 10 minutes.

It wasn’t too long before City doubled their advantage and it looked like being a long day in the field for Vale. Patches of our usual calm passing game started to re-appear, however, and while United went to the sheds trailing by two goals, the general feeling was that the game was still there for the taking.

The second half was more even, and a goal from Snowy revived home spirits considerably. There was a bit of kerfuffle when the Shellharbour playmaker took exception to a tackle, gave a bit of a push which was reciprocated and suddenly there was a tangle of bodies, more players rushed in and a general melee ensued. Nothing serious, and it may have even cleared some of the cobwebs, as after that United played with much more purpose and decision, eventually resulting in an equaliser (sorry, didn’t see who actually put it in). Both teams tried harder to get a decider, but it’s fair to say the end result left the home side relieved and the visitors disappointed.

FC faced Shellharbour Makos, who turned out to be even more niggly and annoying than their City colleagues. In this match, however, the visitors saved their worst abuse for the ref – who frankly didn’t deserve much better. The first half was mostly an arm wrestle kind of game, both sides bogging themselves down in midfield play. However, FC did put a goal away early days, giving themselves a little breathing space.

The second half became even scrappier as the visitors argued with the ref, wearing his patience down until first one, then another Shellharbour player was sent off. By that stage, FC had slotted in another goal courtesy of Hamish but Makos replied immediately. With a two man advantage, however, Mike was freed up to run rampant across the Shellharbour defence, peppering the goal with shots. In the end, Makos did well to keep the score to just 3-2 and FC was happy enough to come away with any sort of a win.

There were some ugly moments as the teams left the field after the second match, as one of the sent-off Makos players decided he would throw away what was left of his playing days by attempting to deck the ref. He didn’t actually do it, perhaps because it was pointed out to him that he would probably get his team booted out of the comp and likely face assault charges if he did, but it left a sour taste in everyone’s mouths, especially in light of the extremely unsavoury language and behaviour to which the many kids around were exposed.

Apart from the anti-ref excitement, both Russell Vale teams were left a little bemused, somewhat relieved and not a little abashed at being made aware how much work we need to do if we want both teams to win their comps. Still, United remain undefeated (that must be a pretty good streak by now ) and FC are undefeated at home. Good stuff.

I will be attempting re scheduling to 9 May FC and 16 May UTD.

A training run may be possible this wednesday, time to be discussed with Steve. Will advise.

Jim