On a fine winters day the local beaches derby
was held at Hefferon 54 or was it in fact Studio 54? At times the glitz and glamour football being displayed reminded me of the late 70’s and early 80’s. This reference of course has nothing to do with the fact that most of the line-up for today’s clash have such fond memories from this period.
Old man Pop’s was tending the goal box and with the same back four as last week another clean sheet was on the cards. Coach Whiteford tweaked the centre of the pitch with the introduction of Ad’s leaving two fast wide men and a devastating combination from the pace of Fireman chiselled ego and experience of a recession beating banker up front.
Initially the game was played with a fine spirit but with both teams locked at 0-0 after 20 mins something had to give, mostly it was the bobbly pitch who did the levelling of the teams but certain individuals from both sides managed to do some levelling of their own. Through well timed tackles, obvious late hacks and some well-placed verbal abuse. It was the latter that seemed to be doing the trick for the black and white stripes, with calls such as “ they don’t want it boys” “they are shite at the back” and “what the f#$K was that ref”. Gudge and Jezza had put their stamp on the game.
Dash being the sensitive man he is thought enough was enough and played himself into the game more and more. I managed to catch up with Dash after the game and ask him about the opening goal. “Dash it looked like you were really at home out there today?” “ Yes I was, in my preparation for todays game I was thinking back to my hay day, you know back when studio 54 was all the rage, I think it helped with that remarkable first goal, I simply pictured myself on the dance floor, received the ball, pirouetted, believed in myself and lobbed the keeper from 30 yards”
From such striking confidence Coogee started to dominate, Maroubra started to niggle. Coogee maintained possession across the back, attacked the flanks and held shape during the odd counter attack.
A fine piece of play from the back line saw Coogee attacking down the right flank, Jappy received the ball with one eye already on the goal box, several Coogee players were attacking the box at speed, Jappy ex
pertly delivered the ball, landing it in front of a running Jezza . Depending on who you ask , Jezza will recount the header as climbing high above the defence to then wrong foot the keeper, Jappy said that jezza had his eyes closed in fear and just kept running and that the ball hit him flush on the forehead. Either way…….Coogee 2 Maroubra 0.
Not long before half time the pace of front man Jules was causing all sorts of problems for the away team, so much so they resorted to using their hands. Ad’s collected the ball and walked towards the penalty spot, seeing that he would have needed a ladder to crawl out of the hole that was in fact the penalty spot quickly threw the ball to Jules. Jules called towards the bench for some sort of earth moving equipment to be sent out but realising there was no time started to flatten out the hole by hand. The landscaping worked Jules slotted into the corner from the spot/hole. Coogee 3 – 0 .
Just before half time a bouncing cross was misjudged by all involved, Coogee manged to handle the ball twice before the ref blew his whistle awarding Maroubra a penalty. Old man Pop’s displayed great reach and timing to will the ball onto the square post. The ball hitting flush on the corner carried the ball along the goal line eventually trickling out for a goal kick. Maroubra’s anger management problem was now exposed.
Highlights from a goalless second half included Jules having 17 more chances to increase the lead, some more hacking from Maroubra, Gudge being thrown 5 meters off the pitch and landing on his ribs only for Maroubra to be given a throw, unfortunately Gudge was too out of breath to be able to abuse someone. Kurt and the defence cleaning up everything that came their way, The Horse a.k.a Finchy making a comeback. There were several other substitutes most notably Coach Whiteford, who must have been taking notes from dancing Dash, as Whiteford turned, pivoted and passed the ball like he was on the dance floor of a disco club, notably most of this action was in our own goal box except for that one peach of a through ball to Jules.
After the whistle special mention to Roman for doing a fine job on the BBQ , a tough gig with a ever increasing hungry crowd saw the big man come through with little sausage spatter on his white shirt and a satisfied group of friends and family. Except those in the first grade who were left to fight over 3 sausages and 7 beers.
Coogee, Coogee, Coogee……….
