Well where to start with this one, a game that whist not of 2 halves as the they say, more like the first 70 mins and then the last 20.
So STC turned up with 13, well were meant to turn up with 13, BUT Josh was apparently too drunk to drive, let down mate and not good enough. Did you see the state of Slim?
Anyway with the old farts stuck on their balcony it was a much changed STC starting line up. Jordan in goal, Deano right back, Bilbo left back, Paul and the walking brewery in the middle, the tireless Gav on the right, Rob on the left, pinky and perky in the middle with Crabby and Lee up top, leaving the returning Mike on the bench, alone due to Josh’s pathetic excuse for a no show. Although special shout out to Statler and his fire red Harley.
On a terrible pitch, STC looked the stronger, knocking it across the backline well but not ever looking threatening, but soon STC were trailing. A nothing ball over the top beat Paul and with Jordan stuck on his line and not where Paul had told him to be not 90 seconds earlier, the striker rounded the keeper but could only hit Slim’s leg who had got back onto the line. The ball fell kindly to the striker who chipped over Slim for his winger to head into an empty net from a yard. 1-0, but where was the left back. Not much happened in the rest of the half in a drab affair, the only moment of note was a great individual effort from Crabby which came back off the bar. So 1-0 at the break and some harsh words being shared about in the STC bus shelter.
The second half started as the first finished, nothing really happening, no movement or penetration, but a lot of effort and running. Soon STC were trailing by 2. Paul tried to play out of the back, but Gav could not hold off the oppo, who advanced through 2 on 1 with Paul who tried to do something but it looked like he just stepped out of the way, but anyhow a good finish left STC in trouble.
Next was the return of the Hamstring curse, although in hindsight it was a blessing in disguise. Slim stretched to intercept a throughball and whilst doing so, collapsed in a heap and should have gone off. A minute later that was evidenced when Slim pulled up chasing down the striker who went on to square from the byline for 3-0. A scoreline which really did not reflect the game and 21 minutes left.
STC were soon back in it, Bob played in Crabby who finished cooly. The goal rejuvenated the home side who suddenly believed in themselves. Roberts and Crabby started running down everything and all over the pitch, the intensity was increased. Soon it was 3-2. Crabby found himself on the edge of the box with his back to goal. Spotting the keeper off his line, managed to ute an overhead kick of sorts and found the net. Excellent finish and game on.
Soon it was all square. A long ball from Paul at the back put Lee through 1 on 1. Pace, power and a great finish from the big man had brought STC on even terms and hungry for the win with the Belvedere side shellshocked.
The 4th was a repeat of the 3rd, Mike playing a speculative ball forward for Lee to simply overrun the centre half, Jonah Lomu style and bury the finish, 4-3 and the turnaround was complete.
There was still time for a stroke of genius from Hooky, who played a beautiful defence splitting ball to Crabby, Zidane style, and Crabby made no mistake. 5-3, Crabby with the match ball and the man of the match vote to go with it. What a turn around, what a come back, 11 legends on the pitch and an injured fatman on the side looking on.
On a serious note, if STC had played like they did in the last 21 minutes it would have been a rout. So let’s all start from the beginning ion the new year lads and bury teams early.
