An overcast and cold day met the Glamour squad as they arrived at "Stade de White". They took the field with another 5 changes to the team of the previous couple of weeks, but a strong squad right up to number 14.

Immediately we proved that CBC were not going to dictate the play and that if we played some 'ball to feet football' we would dominate the contest all day long. Sadly, we played small periods of 'ball to feet football' and let CBC contest for a lot of ball. Our forwards proved that they were quicker and more skilful than their CBC counterparts as long ball after long ball made its way over the CBC defence and was chased down by our tireless strikers in Manny and Nick.

Indeed, the effort across the park was outstanding all day long. Russ chased down everything and seemingly put pressure on two or three CBC players at once. Damien was solid at the back all day long and never gave the CBC forwards a sniff at the goal. Unfortunately, an accidental handball in the box gave CBC a penalty, and the opening goal, totally against the run of play.

The Glamour could sense a goal though and some great lead up play saw Russ chase the ball down inches from the goalkeepers hands, heading it towards the CBC goal and into the legs of a CBC defender, where Manny finished off the deflected ball for a well deserved goal. The remainder of the game saw the Whites constantly attacking the CBC goal as CBC tried to get the winner with a long ball breakaway. Whites lead up play was fantastic, but we could not put anything together inside the 18 yard box that really troubled the CBC goalkeeper.

The performance of the referee (silver haired blind man) was again sub par as CBC had a blatant handball inside the box ignored. Both sides grew frustrated as the game being officiated failed to reflect the game being played. Well done to the B's for keeping our heads (mostly). Unlike the CBC guys and our A's who all picked up cards for mouthing off to the guy (probably the only time he was paying attention mind you).

In the end a draw was a fair result as the Glamour had plenty of opportunity to finish the game off but failed to deliver the fatal blow in front of goals. The effort of all the team was fantastic and we won all the one on one battles across the pitch. The defensive line was solid all day with Damien, Harry and Tony (congrats on a great first game in a foreign position) all over the CBC long balls. Manny and Russ were tireless and Sean controlled the lead up play when he came on with Kev's threatening raids down the left flank causing CBC great headache.

Let's build on this week and get all three points against Immanuel next week.

LevTop

With the European football season coming to an end, things are only warming up down under. Particularly on the back of 3 straight defeats, one would hope that this isn't going to be a long cold and lonely winter, especially with the loss of Rastawookie who is leaving for Canberra, capital of fireworks and pornography, a deadly combination which he is evidently looking forward to keeping himself warm for the next 4 weeks.

Lining up against CBC, this would be one of the games which would possibly play a significant role in the continuing evolution of Uni Whites. It was indeed a fixture of massive proportions, with the loser to emerge at the end of the day scraping the bottom of the league table, laying claims to the title of being essentially SHIT. With the lineup again blooding youth from the B's, it was a side which again had a blend of youth and experience, a blend which Joey "How you doin?" Tribbianni would be familiar with when it comes to high school girls. Again I digress.

In goals was Dan "Fernando" Aikin, protected by a backline of Kung Flu Fighting warriors, Joe "Fourth Jonas Brother" Windows, Chris "Lemonsip" Gayen and Craig "with a souped up Skyline which everyone hears about but no one has seen" Goldfinch. Once again, a defence with experience and pace, given time and the opportunity, this could prove to grow into the Great Wall of China, able to keep out rabbits, and hopefully, for this afternoon, at least keep out some Christian Brothers.

The midfield had a familiarity with Paul "don't reckon there's more than the 2 from last week who can say my name right" Krysiojnclysaflbq3fb2 on the left, and Juan "of the famed Argentinean meat - take it however you wish to" Livore on the right. The middle consisted of the twin towers, with the ongoing saga of Daniel "inappropriate socks" Wang who decided that orange socks were close to being the colour of white and Jonas "you are more dead to me than my dead grandmother" Hayten who would be playing his last game for the Whites. (Just kidding Jonas, it's been a pleasure having you with us even though it was only a short spell.)

In attacking midfield was George "uber FA Cup Host" Tan supporting the ever energetic and self demanding Ryan "would be nice if could dominate on pitch like how he does on FIFA" Harrowfield and young Dan "nice bag" Graetz, replacing Scott "like his brother Russell still hasn't gone to the pub" Edwards, who had the case of the Flu.

Once again, a solid lineup bearing no resemblance to its current predicament, this day would give the Whites the opportunity to find their way out of this black hole; just like how some are trying to find their way out of a Black Hole which started years ago involving a team of rugby players and a roast.

The match kicked off with the same referee from the previous fixture, which promised as much quality as the Annoyatron when it comes to pissing players off. It was at this point where I considered nominating him for the Friday F**kwit on Triple J. The game started at a frantic pace with CBC attacking primarily (and when I say primarily I mean, ONLY) down the flanks. With their full backs involved in their play, it was evident that their game plan consisted of long balls down the wings to their wingers and then hitting crosses into the box. Once this became as obvious as Paris Hilton and her desire to keep her secret home videos secret and at home, it was evident that cutting out balls from the flanks was the key to keeping out CBC.

However, it was the away team that struck first, coming down their left wing, as a CBC striker managed to hit a low and hard shot towards the goal which Big Dan had no trouble stopping, the pace of the strike on the other hand gave the ball enough momentum to squirm out of Dan's grasp inviting one of their players to tap it into the open goal (which he nearly stuffed up, again displaying the inherent crappiness of this team). 1-0.

This only served to make the Whites as angry as Bruce Banner and we all know what happens when he gets angry. With the midfield attempting to slow the play down and keeping possession, CBC sat back, defending their one goal advantage. Some nice passages of play followed as the Whites continued to probe the CBC defence. Soon after, a quick interchange on the wings saw George release Paul on the left which resulted in a pin point cross which Juan obligingly converted with a sliding volley sending the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 1-1. Just like the Hulk, the Whites smash.

The rest of the half continued with the Whites having slightly more possession, with Jonas winning the high balls and the back 3 of Chris, Joe and Craig relatively untested. The mantra of "slow it down" seemed to be put into practice as the Whites continued to pass the ball around. The second half commenced and this half had more drama than the first. With Juan and Paul threatening on the flanks and the central midfielders getting involved in the attack, it was actually against the run of play which saw a CBC striker somehow evading all the defenders and putting a low hard shot right in the middle of goal which ended up in the back of the net.

Again there was disbelief as the prospect of a 4th straight defeat loomed large. Substitutions had just been made to give the team more impetus with Sunny and Long on for Daniel and Jonas. Juan moved into the centre as Long stayed out wide. This move saw George sit deeper which allowed both Sunny and especially Juan to attack in search of the equalizer. Dan Graetz was soon replaced by Nathan "energizer bunny" Kora who proceeded to terrorise the CBC defence with his direct running and pace. The Whites continued to press with Paul making a few exceptional runs on the left and beating a few players every time, causing CBC a bit of concern.

CBC started to concede free kicks as they struggled to contain the Whites who continued to keep the ball on the ground and pass around them. George eventually got subbed with young Buddie Lam coming on to add more pressure up front. With Chris behind the frees and bombarding the CBC box and their keeper with testy crosses, one was hoping that an equalizer would eventuate from the many dead ball situations. CBC were starting to sit back as the Whites pressed on. The equalizing goal did eventuate from a dead ball as Nathan got taken out as the CBC defenders failed to handle his direct running.

At this point, Juan stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way and converted the penalty. This spurred on the Whites as they searched for the winning goal with CBC packing their defence desperately waiting for the final whistle. However, 3 points for either side was not to be as the final whistle came. Sighs of relief could be heard for CBC as for the Whites, it was more a sigh of what if. Coming back twice was commendable as it showed character and spirit for the Whites. It will be much needed for the rest of the season. Come on you Whites!

GeorgeTop