Knackered 4 d Abstract 2, Indoor Soccer Grand Final

We surprised ourselves by getting to the Grand Final and winning it on Friday night. Three weeks ago we were out of the top four, then we beat the top team Wilkins in our last roster game to sneak in.

Last week in the semi final we came from behind to beat Eskimo Pie. Ed and Paul won it for us with outstanding goalkeeping. Meanwhile Wilkins unexpectedly lost their semi to Abstract.

The final was incredibly tight - we were down 1-0 at halftime. Brett equalised just after halftime, then I found Ed twice in about 3 minutes for 2 more goals. One pass was a square ball across the goal circle, and the other was actually a backheel. Cam is dismayed at the thought it going to encourage more backheel attempts in future. Ed's finishing was perfect each time.

Abstract got a goal back, and I was feeling pretty tense (and wondering about it going to penalties if they scored again). Then Paul wriggled free to score and made it 4-2, and that was it. Everyone played well and Josh (our recent Balinese recruit) had his best game ever, and really worked hard defensively.

Going into a shared weekend away with Ed and his family, it felt great to have combined to pull off this win that looked out of the question a few weeks back.

Knackered 7 d Wilkins 6

Down 5-2 at half time, although we were playing well. Paul in goals had muffed a couple of stoppable ones. I thought we needed to have a few more early shots, and similarly catch their keeper on the hop.

The second half went all our way. I was hitting shots first time every chance I had and a couple went in. We were level 5-5 in no time, then gave up a goal to go behind again. Wilkins have one particularly strong player and we were keeping him out of shooting range - their other guys were easier to knock off the ball.

I was off the court when Adrian scored to level it up 6-6, then with 2 minutes left Paul put us in front from an impossible angle. The lads passed it around with composure, Ed did some of his best ever goalkeeping and we safely made it to the hooter.

Three wins in a row, after 8 losses in a row. Things are coming good.

Hi, blog

Hello everyone. I am slipping out of good blogging habits and I have to fight to get them back. The blogs might be dull but I am determined to keep them coming: Vegie Garden [bam!] Give Way Signs [paff!] Indoor Soccer [kapow!] - like that.

Now - I did foreshadow the indoor soccer final. We played on Friday night and were comprehensively thumped 11-2 by a team called Los Amigos de Craig Foster. Nice guys, excellent team, and a class above us. I was still disappointed by the magnitude of the loss, and that we were 4-0 down after only about 3 or 4 minutes. It was 7-1 at halftime, and we started the 2nd half really well. Pulled it back to 7-2 and for the next ten minutes no-one scored, and we poured on the pressure. Their goalie was man-of-the-match, he stopped almost everything. With not much time left we threw everything into attack (except me - I was left stuck in goal for the last 3 minutes, after which you can't change goalies). This gave them more space and they punished us with four goals in the last 2 or 3 minutes.

Now, like the Z-grade suburban league that it is, we start again this Friday. Our venerable leader Paul is taking a season or two off, and I am taking over running the team. As you know I have a shedload of excellent* team names ready to go, but I think I had better respect the tradition and keep the white shirts and the name Knackered, although I have never liked it much. Part of me would love to invest in a handsome new kit for everyone, maybe Celtic stripes or Blackburn Rovers quarters, and sally forth with a name like Turtle Albion or Spinach United.

*Terrible