It was a funny day for me as I had most of the afternoon off and I had missed the win over South Melbourne at the weekend, so it was easy to start to feel that it was actually Saturday night. Just before leaving I burnt a couple of tracks for use at the game and my PC did something horrid involving Kernel 32 and would no reboot which a quick call to my IT advisor indicated may mean serious reformatting stuff - so I was not especially cheery when I picked up Wade.
Walking to the ground just after six o'clock we were surprised to hear the good old NA being belted out over the PA system, but realised that Adam was just warming up as it were after his problems with that number the previous game. In fact, so keen was he to get it right this time that he felt unable to play any of the music we had supplied and we were fed some radio station again. No doubt better things lie ahead in that department. Despite the stifling heat a good crowd rolled in and the Free Kicks were all gone with 20 minutes to go to kick off - a good sign from past experience - so it was possible to settle in with a very cold beer before the game.
Adelaide United have "The worse strip in the land" according to some new lyrics to an old tune and Adam had a time to announce our players slowly enough for individual acclaim and even the officials' names were audible. Mr Mellville and Doc Clem (who had earlier refused a Free Kick from me) made a presentation to Steff who was off to check the Brass Monkey Theory in Norway and I was intrigued when we were told that this was a positive move. I know Steff's crossing can be a bit wayward, but I didn't think losing a regular first teamer could be easily construed as "positive". Game on, and we were attacking the "wrong" end which I like as it means we would come on strong to the Torcida end late in the game. Fitzy started like a storm and left ex-STRIKER Alagich looking very poor as he danced past him repeatedly and it looks as though Steff's departing shoes may well be very nicely filled.
The developing tradition of scoring at "our" end only was damaged early when, following a bit of a scramble a long way from us Luke Morely made it 1-0. The STRIKERS pressed forward and should have had a couple more but for wayward shooting, but at half time a couple opined that we would win by a few.
Poor old Kossie was informed that "We got better since you left" but he geed his lot up and they absolutely dominated possession all the second half. We hardly saw one of our lads any closer than 30 metres or so the whole half, as United played very robust, pacey and nice passing football. If a team had come at us like that last season I feel sure we would have conceded a goal or two, but the new improved defence was very good and when breached Giggles in goal had stormer with agility, good positioning, safe hands and some excellent two fisted punching of the ball when he felt he could not safely hold it. There was a brief period when he was leaping around like Superman and he very deservedly won the BSSA MotM award. Another advantage we had was the famous Kossie thirty degree crossing option. It drove me nuts all the time he was in charge here and it looks as though Adelaide are under the same instructions. Our goal line remained unsullied by Crow Eater's boot for most of the game.
I kept thinking to myself that our acclimatisation and their vigour must give us an attacking advantage in the last ten minutes or so. I think it did happen, but not as significantly as I had hoped, but we did break out a couple of times right near the end and could, with a bit better luck or management have added to our score. In the end it was a very tense ending with a lovely result.
It was a very good game of football and one where you are hanging on mentally right to the end. A great tribute to the players' fitness in those awful conditions (if you didn't sink a can in about 5 minutes, it was tepid) and again emphasised my view that the quality of teams in the NSL is pretty even. It was impressive to see our lads warming down on the park for some time after the final whistle.
Good crowd in, getting bigger and top six looking likely at this stage. When I got home and booted my computer - up she came. Off to back up now.