I woke up with a nice feeling of anticipaton for the evening. STRIKERS to win and get back in the six and Manchester United to go 9 points clear in the Premier League. Well, that was the pan. It looked as if we were in for the usual wet evening, but the clouds lifted at noon and no precipitation occurred after all. The numbers at O'Leary's were not noticably up as I arrived with my drug company bag with its Viagra label full of samples to give to John Wainwright;-).
As it turned out a little sprinkling of that might have helped stiffen our midfield and defence on the night.
Despite earlier assurances on the STRIKER's list of some pre-match singing, there was very little and probably more Manchester United songs were sung than STRIKERS'. I didn't mind that, of course, but would have preferred the matter in hand, as it were, to have had more attention. The walk down Caxton St was a little noisier than in the past and the idea of simging down the street may catch on yet.
We handed out copies of the first issue Free Kick, the newsletter of the BSSA, and another sheet inviting supporters of the game to write to the Wail berating them for the crap football coverage they almost give up here.
The Army was set further back than usual in an area marked out by the club with little STRIKER yellow seat back covers that converted well into hats as it transpired and Kasey with a K copped some good spirited stick - "You only went for the money", "You went to Perth and you've won F all" come to mind.
The game quickly developed into a farce as far as we were concerned. Our midfield just couldn't make any impression and our attack again evolved around long, high balls to short strikers well marked by tall and effective defenders with the obvious cosequences. Glory eventually sprang our offside trap by the useful expedient of having a linesman who doesn't understand the law and the offside player was fouled and a penalty resulted. 0-1. Glory were all over us with the new boy, 18 year old John McKain, not quite able to step up to NSL standard and our defence, previously one of our strengths, just wasn't. No great surprise thet we let in another two by half time. One the result of a typically perceptive diagonal pass ON THE GROUND from Kasey W from right half to an unmarked left winger.
0-3 at half time and the ship, if not sunk, was taking on a lot of water. I was very sorry to see some of our support skiving off at half time, admittedly to a very important engagement, but I think if you support a team, then you do it.
As it turned out those who left missed quite a spirited second half effort by the STRIKERS and the difference was that they regained some share of the midfield and played the ball low in attack. Perhaps Glory were coasting a little too. Eventually we scored, of all things, from a corner - Grierson heading in well. The goal was well deserved and winning the second half one nil was a fair result. In the last 20 minutes or so we were predominant with the exception of one counter attack which nearly made it 1-4. We were all hoping for the miracle that never came and I was proud that the Banana Army stood as the team came off and showed our support as proper supporters do.
So now we are very dependant on Carlton's next two games, the second of which is against us away next weekend. If they don't win the first and we can beat them.....................