It seems every time Marconi play away it is sweltering, and every time Marconi plays at home it rains.
While rugby league fans sweated the night before, us poor fitba fans got a bit wet, at the start at least.
A dreadful series of schoolboy defensive errors, "no, you kick it, go on, not me" led to Perth scoring a goal in the 5th minute with a poke of the ball that only just propelled it over the line.
Catch up football it was to be then....
However, the Stallions put in one of their most impressive displays for a long time, and would be disappointed not to take maximum points.
Chad Gibson hit a wonderful mid air scissors kick from about 25 yards which not so much hit Petkovics right hand post, as nearly broke it in two, but the ball rebounded to safety.
Marconi peppered Perths box in the first half, mainly from down the right flank, but halftime came and it was still 0-1.
Now, I have to be honest and say that at this point of the nights proceedings things started to become a bit confused...
Having already lost GKW once so far, on the way into the ground, a few of us set off to the club for much-needed refreshment. (We'd had several inside the ground, but I always think the beer tastes better out of a glass rather than one of your plasticy things.
Although I entered with 4 or 5 others, I emerged alone to see Perth kick off...
"Beauty" thought I, "I've timed it to perfection."
As I was strolling round from the refreshment kiosk to my spot behind the goals I noticed a glaring error on the scoreboard, and being a good Marconian, phoned Ross, high in the control room to tell him that the scoreboard was incorrectly reading 1-1, when it was 0-1.
Now, Ross is used to receiving lost of strange calls from me, in various states of sobriety, but even he thought this one a bit funny!
Needless to say, what had happened was I had NOT, as I first thought timed my entrance perfectly, and the Perth kick off had been as a result of Bugsys goal, NOT as a result of the start of the second half!
The rest of the second half was similar to the first, with Marconi throwing everything in search of the winner, or was it the equaliser...
It wasnt to be, however as despite my late verbal assault on Jason Petkovic, he and his defence stood resolute.
GKW and Jockodile had returned for the second half, but there was no sign of Big Pete and Wee Jack, and our overseas visitor, and as suspected, their medical problem had resulted in them not being able to find their way out of the clubhouse.
They were still in the same spot, ie leaning against the bar, when I returned at full time.
GKW was sporting the latest fashion statement at last nights game.
It is very hard to describe but Ill try¼.it is like a bicycle wheel only smaller with less spokes and is attached to one of his fingers on his left hand.
Goes right through his finger actually, and is supposedly designed to aid the healing of what he tells us is an indoor cricket injury.
Held high above his head however, he can get a perfect reception on SBS.
Much celebrating (dunno what we were celebrating though), and several renditions of My Grannys Heilan Hame later, it was time for the 15 second drive back home....well it was only 15 seconds for me, as I fell asleep just after entering the car....
In summary..
Marconi will play a lot worse and win, and from what I can remember of it, it was a very entertaining match.
I was astounded to read John Taylors report that the Marconi fans booed Brad Maloney.
I certainly didnt hear any such thing, and I dunno how JT could from the press box¼..Ive been in there many times and the glass prevents 99% of the noise getting through.
Maybe he just picked up the wrong signal from GKWs hand held transmitter...
Forza Fred, swearing he is finished with the demon drink, and this time he MEANS it!