We had an early start due to a 4.30 meeting of the newly formed BSSA. Discussions re promoting the team and participation in the Caxton St Carnival from O'Leary's next Sunday were held. There was fair bit of optimism demonstrated. As to the eventual value, only time will tell. At least the club is showing interest and co-operation. The match programme was again for sale at the bar, but none of the promised mention of the BSSA was to be foumd in it.
The stands looked awfully bare again as we headed down Caxton Street to the ground and there was no security at the turnstiles. The club had again marked off our area as one for standing and singing, but we didn't do as much of that as at previous games this season, however Canberra emerged in a strip that inspired "Are you scousers in disguise?" and some of the old favourites were given an airing.
The game started five or so minutes late and the STRIKERS did all the attacking in the first twenty or so minutes, creating several half chances and producing a couple of good saves from the Canberra keeper. Then we seemed to run out of steam and the remainder of the half passed quietly.
At half time members of the BSSA handed out flyers inviting like minded folk to join and, by the time I returned, there was Tony Petty again chatting up some of the Bnanana Army.. He was discussing the court cases that are on up here and I think we will all be glad when that stuff's over.
The second half, unfortunately, was not unlike the end of the first and neither side was especially attractive and we continued what has apparently become a tradition up here of hoofing pointless high balls from long distance to relatively diminutive strikers and, without Dwyer or Foster on th park, it was even more futile than usual, which is saying something. Time and again we were baying for the STRIKERS to take on the last man and head for the goal line, but all in vain.
The Mad Bull tried that old 30 degree cross innumerable times and all with the same hopeless result. Why do they do it? We had a couple of scoring chances and at the end, including eight minutes of injury time, the home side did push for a winner. It did not come and I must say I left feeling more robbed of two points than glad to have gained one.
With three weeks to our next home game and the top so congested, there is no doubt that the STRIKERS are at a crucial stage of this season both on and off the park.