Smugglers Steal Match at Frost

A rejuvenated Relics’ were left wondering what might have been after un-backable competition favourites, the Budgie Smugglers, stole a 3-2 win at Frost Reserve. The match, originally set down for Budgewoi, was transferred to Frost Reserve because of the poor state of the Smugglers home turf. The Relics’ were left lamenting the missed opportunity to stick it to the Smugglers in their backyard.

Coach Vic had to make a couple of team changes before kick-off due to the late withdrawal of ace midfielder Downhill Dave and defensive star The Toe. It is understood that both players were forced to withdraw due to initial positive results after random drug testing by the Australian Sports and Anti Doping Authority (ASADA) during a raid at the Kincumber Hotel late on Friday night. Both players are very confident that their ‘B’ samples will return a negative result and clear their names. Both players have been accused of consuming copious quantities of beer as a masking agent for the banned stimulant Viagara.

The late withdrawals forced Coach Vic to bring BB from the bench into the right back position and shift the Diamond into the right midfield. The Relics’ again found themselves under the pump early running uphill, into the wind and facing the blazing setting sun after skipper Mickledinho lost his fifteenth toss in succession. The opening 30 minutes were dominated by the Smugglers who mounted numerous attacking raids. The stoic Relics’ defence, however, was equal to the challenge with dominant defensive displays from the Banker, Roy and the Crow. The Man Mountain was also brilliant pulling off some fantastic saves. In the 31st minute, however, the Smugglers broke the dead-lock forcing a shot into the back of the net.

The opening Smugglers goal only served to galvanise the Relics’ and five minutes later the Relics’ struck back through a deft lob over the keeper from the Crow who swooped onto a loose ball 20m from goal. The Relics’ finished the first half strongly and were unlucky not to score for a second time.

The second half was a very torrid affair with the Smugglers continually challenging the authority of the referee, which eventually went in their favour, as they seemed to get the advantage in all 50/50 calls. It seems constant whingeing and sniping can pay off. One can only wonder what the atmosphere was like on the team bus when the referee joined them for the trip back home to Budgewoi.

Despite this the Relics’ in the second half matched their opponents in all facets of the game and were extremely unlucky to surrender the lead as soccer tyro Mickledinho accidently found the back of his own net as he attempted to clear the ball with his head deep in the Relics’ defensive area. Shortly afterward Mickledinho had a chance to redeem himself as he found himself unchallenged in the six yard box with only the keeper to beat…only to stub his toe into the Frost Reserve clay as he took the shot.

With 15 minutes remaining the Relics’ equalized after some great midfield pressure from the Shadow which saw a Smugglers player squirt the ball backwards as it cannoned off Shadow's foot 40m into their own goal! Great work Shadow!

At 2-2 it was game on. Both teams stepped up a gear. Again all 50/50 calls seemed to go in favour of the visitors, and in one particular incident, Statue was pole-axed by a Smuggler’s shoulder charge and elbow, more akin to State of Origin rugby league than O/45s football only to see the penalty go the other way. Statue did well to retain his composure and not retaliate.

Late in the match the Smugglers sealed the match with an opportunist strike 35m from goal. The same player several minutes later forced a penalty shot after a calculated dive in the penalty box which would have done Matthew Mitcham or Greg Louganis proud. With poetic justice the penalty shot was pushed well wide of the goals.

Post match Coach Vic, although disappointed with the loss, was buoyed with the way his men continued to rally and he complimented all players on their performances.

In a first for Central Coast Soccer both teams nominated Kincumber Roos player # 9 as their opponents best player!!

Bring on Killarney!

BB