The
halfway mark of the season commenced this Saturday with Altona
hosting the Western Eagles in a crucial match for both sides. Altona
were looking to get out of a mid season slump after 1 point in the
last 2 games, and Western Eagles were looking to consolidate their
mid table position. The first time these teams met, Western Eagles
caused Altona all sorts of problem in the midfield, but Altona
managed to be more lethal up front and came away with a 2-0 win.
Altona were looking at putting on a show for their supporters this
week as a roll of wins for the second half of the season is vital to
be in contention for success at the end of the year. This week’s line-up was a mix of emotions as players have been out injured and others return after lengthy spells on the sidelines. Welcomed back this week were Mars, having spent 5 weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury, Phil, coming back from finger and neck injuries, Joe and Paul made their first start of the 2005 campaign in the defence and Ivan was welcomed back after missing a week due to a family engagement. Other members of the squad were looking at making comebacks this week as Eddie, unfortunately re-injuring his calf on Thursday was ruled out, and so to be Jimmy, his Achilles/calf also not pulling through, and the Gaffer was laid off with a corked quad. Alfie rounded off the emergency ward at Altona with shin splints adding to the complexity of injuries at Kim reserve.
The game started good for the home team, as a well organised defence marshalled the midfield and forwards. Mars was starting to get into the thick of things down the right hand flank as Altona pressed for the all important early goal. Delivery into the box was good but the lack of urgency and numbers on the ends of deliveries were lacking. Some poor finishing upfront also lead to missed chances going begging. The Western Eagles midfield still look good on the attacks but their link with their forwards were always cut out by an experienced defence in which boosted its average age with Paul and Joe joining the Great Wall. Feta in the defence ensures the average ages are kept at a respectable level.
Midway through the first half saw Altona closest chance go begging as a shot from Mars hit the post and rebounded back into play but was cleared by the Eagles defence. Mars was looking as the most likely person to open the deadlock, but near misses looked as though would prove costly. The half time whistle blew with a stalemate as improvements from both teams were going to make huge change on the match.
The second half began in similar fashion with the City boys looking to push the envelope to their visitors, as Zak started to play a more influential role on the left hand side. With both wingers now seeing more action, the Eagles goal was getting barraged with attacks and after an earlier one on one, Zak made the all important with a sweet strike which flew into the net from 10 yards out. This was with 10 minutes to spare with the Eagles cursing the Gods, not just doing enough on the day to hold on for that draw.
Altona kick on though with a win to start the ball rolling again and again with some surprising results coming from other matches and Sydenham’s continual march up the ladder after a slow start, this earmarks the beginning of a tight second half of the season.
Clown of the week.
This weeks clown of the week goes to Altona's own Eddie Carlos. After missing the match due to injury, he gave the home supporters a good laugh are taunting the Western Eagles number 4 in the second half of the match. Carlos was jumping up and down like a monkey, after one too many JD's and coke and was nearly involved in a messy altercation with a Western Eagles fan who wanted to belt him up outside the ground. The Eagles fan, well and truly into his 50's was reacting wildly at the monkey threatening to kill him in a strong European accent. Eddie will receive his red nose at training this week.
I hope you have a good week, until next time, this is the Gaffer signing out.
Gaffer