A-League Youth Match Poem by Thomas Esamie
The Ranga Linesman

The Ranga Linesman
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Early on a Saturday the golden orb in the sky
shone brightly as your head.
It's time to go to Cromer Ranga Linesman.

The teams go through their drills as you warm up
near the sidelines with your three mates and the graffitied wall.
Could you have been a Ranga Striker Ranga Linesman?

On the touchline you keep in line with the last defender
the crowd at your back must surely marvel at your skill.
The legs never cross of the Ranga Linesman.

Ominous clouds sweep through overhead and shower down
the ball skids and the players slide but you are surefooted.
Is your sunblock waterproof Ranga Linesman?

The Glory attack is feeble you cannot show your wares
Danning flashes before your eyes a shadowy blur towards the canteen.
Will you have Butter Chicken with Fanta Ranga Linesman?

Wait what's this, Payne and Djulbic battle each other and gravity,
Payne loses twice nay trice as Aleksic shins the prize and is the hero.
Payne hangs his head. Would you have given the penalty Ranga Linesman?

Reinforcements come early, the Referee does not see.
Is it water in his eyes or is he really blind?
Hold your flag aloft Ranga Linesman!

The minutes are up the crowd moves rumbling among themselves
the goal beckons but does not come.
Will the Glory snatch it Ranga Linesman?

Do not order the sausage sandwich, for they are spent
Egg and Bacon is the ticket
Does a linesman lineup twice Ranga Linesman?

The second half moves towards you, your aspect stays
balls come fast, was it offside? You think so.
Someone disagrees and calls your name, Ranga Linesman.

Again they come and thwarted by the keeper.
Then once the ball bounced high you saw Kerim handle in your eye.
Why does he disagree with the Ranga Linesman?

Again the balls path is erratic as it crosses your domain
off whom did it come to pass this way you cannot say.
Look to the referee and mirror his arms Ranga Linesman.

Tempers flare the cards come from the pocket
tension rises as the points and the sun come near.
Control your ginger rage Ranga Linesman.

Glory miss a chance to take all 3,
Sydney kicks and the referee checks his watch, puts whistle to his lips.
Would you have blown full time Ranga Linesman?

Kerim with your boots shoots at last,
the ball loops high as Djulbic blocks its path.
Are you watching for the hand of god Ranga Linesman?

Mileski's head loops it in the net,
the keeper was close yet could not stop the ball.
Run towards the halfway line Ranga Linesman

Too much time has gone what is there to do.
Kickoff does not make it out of the centre circle.
Shake hands, your duty is done Ranga Linesman.