It was a mixed result this weekend if you looked at the scores, but the clubmen are holding their heads high as Round 2 approaches.
The reserves were fortunate to be given two drink breaks to split the game into quarters rather than the traditional halftime break. This did well for them as many of the northern Europeans were dealing with the harshest competitor, the Australian sun. No one informed Harrison Emmens that you can purchase white zinc, so we wish him the best in his defense of Scotland.
FREEDOM!
It was a rocky start for the Reserves as they went down a goal within the opening minute. Dan Quinn would level us shortly afterwards, but the heat and muggy Saturday conditions took their tole on a depleted Reserve side. South Yarra would walk away with five goals in hand. A big salute goes to Paul Mitchinson who would normally be anchoring the centre defense, but stepped up and made several amazing saves as goalie.
The new look senior team went up against a South Yarra team that featured a former Cityzen, Andreas Karlsson coming off the bench in the second half. We had the most of the chances in the first half with new keeper Billy Vass virtually untested, but could not find the back of the net. It would take 80 minutes of play before a goal was scored, unfortunately it was by South Yarra. Marc Gavigan would start off the season where he finished it last year, bagging the equaliser a few minutes later. Our first goal and point of the 2017 season!