Round 15 - Malvern

MATCH DAY EVALUATION

Match Day 15 – Box Hill vs. Malvern City
Conditions: Teams faced a windy day, with strong gusts making the ball swirl in the air. Sky was cloudy and overcast threatening rain which didn’t eventuate. The wind however didn’t favour any end so little advantage was found kicking either way. BH lost the toss and kicked to the Old Clubrooms end. The Referee advised the BH Coach before the game that his ‘pet hate’ was hands in the back at heading contests – this would be the cause of some angst later in the day 

PLAN: Team was asked to:
• Keep the 4-3-3 structure and shape, even when under pressure
• Play simply on the ground especially in light of conditions
• Move quickly and with purpose
• Play to win

First Half – BH started slowly and within 5 minutes it was evident to everyone that the team had left their commitment, passion and intensity in the change room!!! Despite being told what was required, how to not take the Malvern team lightly, how their passion and desire would be strong, it was clear no-one in the change room had listened. Passes went astray, BH couldn’t hit feet, there was little to no movement up front and the midfield was having trouble controlling the middle of the park. Given this and the passion displayed by Malvern, it was no surprise to find BH 1-0 down after 15 minutes where poor defensive play and decision making lead to a simple goal for Malvern. This appeared to spark BH into some action and a handball in the penalty box resulted in a penalty. This chance went begging however. I was starting to feel it was going to be ‘one of those days’. Things went from bad to worse when a silly free kick presented Malvern with the ball 25 metres out. It was duly headed in on the far post by the Malvern defender Lloyd. However, the flag was raised by our linesman who advised the referee the BH player had been pushed in the back by Lloyd. To our amazement, he duly allowed the goal somewhat contradicting his advice prior to the match that hands in the back were not permitted. I uttered a question or 2 in his direction but was duly waved away.
After a few minutes a fine run by Becker through the middle of the park was halted by 2 Malvern players tackling him. The free kick however went to Malvern!!!! I asked the referee how the player carrying the ball can have the free kick given against him. (I asked a few times………I admit). He then came to the middle of the ground and asked me to meet him there. I advised I wasn’t allowed out of my technical area. He duly gave me permission to leave the technical area. I met him in the middle of the ground on the sidelines and asked him my question again regarding the ball carrier being penalised. He advised I couldn’t question him. I advised I was just asking for an explanation. A little more tooing and froing, and………….Di Martino gets his second red card in 35 years of football participation. Off to the sidelines with me. The game continued and after 10 minutes of further lack lustre play, BH went into the change rooms deservedly 0-2 down

Half time score 0 - 2

The team was told a number of home truths shall we say at half time by the coach standing behind the fence near the grandstand. Forwards were lazy, defenders didn’t support of play the simple option, midfielders intensity was scrappy and they weren’t linking with the forwards, etc. In addition, I demanded a forward always be on the last man given they were playing slow defender 10 metres behind the defensive line.

Second Half - This had the desired effect. BH started brightly and after 60 seconds had scored their first through De Blasio. We were pumped and ready to go!!! Becker then shot from outside the box and managed to squeeze the ball under the keeper – 2 all - and then a corner lead to a rare Bircham goal. We were 3 – 2 up after 10 minutes of play. Malvern tried to push and lift but we were winning the tackles and playing balls to feet. Pagotto was on fire crossing and linking and providing great support to Nguyen and De Blasio up front. Becker and Bircham had lifted and Drossas was doing a manful job. A number of good crosses and chances were not taken up. A fairer result would have been 5 goals instead of the three alone. The game then degenerated into somewhat of a stale mate with coach annoying the hell out of Seb De Blasio – who had made the mistake of standing with me - with my constant questioning of ‘How Long, How Long to go’. Finally, the whistle went and we had squeezed an unlikely win given the 1st half ‘issues’ and poor play.

Final Score 3 - 2

Overall Comments

Opposition: A good team who had some strong and tall players in midfield and defence. They were committed and willing and given BH’s lack of penetration and intensity, really dominated the 1st half.

Box Hill: An abominable display in the 1sthalf. A disgrace given the team’s real ability and it is baffling how the intensity and passion just isn’t displayed at times. If anyone out there knows how to fire the team up from the 1st half rather than the 2nd, there’s one coach who’d like some advice!!

Much better in the 2nd half but why it takes a bollocking to get everyone moving is beyond me. But all credit to the team who picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and did it, albeit the hard way.

We have 3 games to go and we CANNOT, MUST NOT and WILL NOT take the 2 games against Ringwood and Glen Waverley lightly. Nothing is won yet and I don’t want to go to Doncaster on the final day and have to play for the title. Nor do I want to win it by 1 or 2 points. I firmly believe we are the best team by 9 points min and this is what we deserve.

A game against Essendon Royals Super League may give us a good indication of where we are at given it appears we may be in SL next year …….. note the word ‘MAY” No Chocolates YET!!


Coach: John Di Martino 17th August, 2009


PS – I wish to apologise for my behaviour and being sent off the field. Though refraining from swearing and going too far, I set a poor example to the team. I apologise to the team and their parents and the club in general. However, I will support and back all players and carriers that get no protection from referee’s every time.