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Old Xaverians vs Xavier College 28th March 2010 Pessina, Hainsworth (Ubaldi), Ashe, Butler, Fameli (Marazita), Clyne, Vittadello, Fragale, Kavanagh (Lachal J), Nicholls, Lachal A (Erturk) In the traditional season curtain raiser, the Old Boys faced the College Boys at a windswept Darebin International Sports Centre. First high winds then rain effected the quality of the fixture but the boys from Xavier fought out a useful 1-1 draw, even though the arbiters decided to cancel two good goals from the Oldies. Plenty of changes this week with starts given to Kavanagh, Fragale and Nicholls and a couple of mainstays relegated to the bench along with the Captain who was given a rest. Post coin toss but pre-kick off, all players congregated in the centre circle to hear from the OXSC President Hugh Tobin and Vice Captain Nick Butler. As discussed, the College boys are the lifeblood of the club and it is the best way of keeping together with school mates as the years roll along. The College boys got the benefit of the strong wind in the first half and combined with an adroit pressing game, the OXSC found most of the half played in their defensive part of the field. With 15 minutes on the clock, the college boys won a corner, swung over and the big centre back connected before the advancing Pessina and knocked it in for the first goal of the game. The oldies were a little disappointed in being behind and tried to force a quick response but with a bit of anxiety saw passes spray wide of the mark and not allow any quality possession for much of the half. Whilst the College boys were full of excitement and running, the few times the OXSC conjured some decent possession they looked the more threatening in the final third. Andy Lachal got into a great position but sliced a right foot effort very wide. Similarly Nicholls got into a good zone down the right and swung over for Kavanagh at the back post but was denied by a desperate intervention from the College Boys. All throughout, the OXSC defence was kept on its toes with some very good breaks from midfield from College. Butler and Ashe were cool under pressure with good positioning and moving the ball with class to begin the forward moves. At half time the heavens began to open up and whilst the Old Boys had the wind, the surface became very slippery and resulted in a lot of passes running long. James Lachal was introduced at the break and given specific instructions to shoot on sight and true to form; he didn’t let the manager down. The formation was changed to deal with the new conditions and it yielded the desired results. Three goals knocked in the second half but sadly two goals cancelled for offside. The first from Nick Butler saw the big man incensed after poor reasoning from the linesman and the second a classy move involving Fragale to Vittadello and a top finish from Ubaldi. Vittadello was tracked the whole way and held off a marker so difficult to see where the offside occurred. Clyne was looking good in the second half and was working well with Fragale. The Barracuda was brought down after a good surge through the middle and up stepped James Lachal to do what he does best. After his last effort down at Old Mentone, Jim was keen to make amends, amend he did. From 30 meters out, with power and poise, into the top corner, 1-1 with 15 to go. It was just rewards for an improved performance in the second half and the momentum had well and truly shifted to the OXSC. Marazita was still called upon the final minutes to snuff out and quick counter attacks from the College Boys but it was the likes of Hainsworth and Nicholls who threatened to find the back of the net. With a few minutes plus stoppages remaining, a power surge saw the surrounding area blanketed in darkness and the referee call it quits at 1 a piece. A great effort from the College boys who look good to make a solid impression in the APS in 2010. Thanks to Sam Pang and all the coaching staff at Xavier for arranging the fixture and we wish you the best of luck for the season ahead. |
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Bramante 25th, Lachal J 35th La Torre, Marazita, Butler, Ashe, Hainsworth (Fameli), Clyne, Lachal J, Vittadello, Bramante, Lachal A, Ubaldi (Ventoruzzo) Xavs pick up good vibrations at the expense of the Beach Boys Back from Sydney but on the road again and chaps from Kew made their way seaside to face off against Old Mentonians. Voss, Pessina and Erturk had a go at 1, so in came Ventoruzzo, Ashe, Marazita and LaTorre for his first run of 2010. The Family guy took a wrong turn so it resulted in a couple of changes to backline and some altered structuring in the middle of the park. The earliest of doors, kick off, back pass, defence caught by surging pressure, turnover, clear through on goal, Xavs 1-0 down. Embarrassing, yes but at least the league champions had 89 minutes and 45 seconds to rectify. The hosts provided a nice playing surface but a bit on the small side and whilst there was some slick passing there was plenty of congestion. Some would suggest the Beach Boys played a high press but really it was only a couple strides from the circle and you were in shooting territory. As a result both teams played very quick passing to not allow too much time for the midfield and defence to construct a barrier. Less than 10 minutes into the game and the OXSC began to control proceedings, Vittadello with a wicked corner just evading Lachal and then Butler denied by a desperate block on the line. Before Xavier could muster an equaliser, the Beach Boys spurned a golden opportunity to go two ahead, lapse in concentration in the box saw the Mentone forward comfortably receive a throw, he turned with ease and decided to cross instead of shooting and Butler managed to get a bit of head on it and Marazita did well to smoother the goal bound shot. Xavs let off the hook and God only knows how they were not 2-0 down. Like Brian Wilson without the drug problem, the emblematic Bramante took all before him to conjure a piece of brilliance to drive the team forward. With skill and pace he accounted for two players, entered the penalty area and smacked in a wicked shot beating the keeper on the near and into the roof of the net. Not only back on equal terms but a fairly poignant statement about the quality of the Xavs outfit. Just after the half hour mark the comeback was complete, the captain with a nice run down the right, made it to the byline and dragged it back for James Lachal to side foot from the spot, wonderful stuff and the OXSC in front. By this time everyone wanted in on the act, brother Andy had a go from outside the area and Ventoruzzo was combining well. Help Me Rhonda Hainsworth was the focus from the referee and was berated for tying his laces, couple of set pieces for the Beach Boys but nothing to be too concerned about. Before Los Blancos could hit the sheds, La Torre produced a wonderful right handed save to keep out a snap Mentone shot from inside the area, entertaining stuff and 2-1 at the half. The Family Guy on for Hainsworth at the break as the OXSC sought out to deal with a Mentone outfit keen to get back in the game. Whilst the ball moved with rapid pace from one side to the other the second half did not provide the goals to equate with the opportunities. A good start to the half did nullify any plans for a Mentone revival and Xavier did well to maintain possession after Ashe and Clyne did extremely well to cancel any high balls into the area. Ventoruzzo was enjoying plenty of possession and managed to pick out Vittadello on a marauding run but was closed down by some desperate work from the hosts. Bramante was taken of before the hour and Ubaldi reintroduced to find a third for the OXSC. In the final 20 the game became a bit stretched and Xavier was unlucky not to find the net at least on 2 occasions. Andy Lachal expertly kept passive to allow Ventoruzzo to speed right past him, beat the man and crossed for Ubaldi to scissor over at the back, then with less than 10 to go, Vittadello miss hit a good cut back from Ubaldi which would have made the score line a more accurate reflection on proceedings. Time for the defence to step up in the last 5 to protect the lead and keep out a Mentone side keen to find an equaliser, all did extremely well to keep a clean sheet for next to 89 and a half minutes. Ref said ‘pens down’ and Xavs made it 4 from 4 for the preseason. Nice weather and facilities for the trip bayside and the boys face Xavier College next Sunday night at Darebin for the traditional opening to the season. Lets get a big crowd down to see the best of the Old Boys and College Boys get ready for their respective title assaults in 2010. |
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2010 Jesuit Old Boys Cup Old Ignatians Riverview vs Old Xaverians Pessina, Hainsworth, Butler, Voss, Fameli, Lachal J, Clyne (Fragale), Vittadello, Ubaldi, Lachal A, Bramante (Erturk) Two time defending champions Old Xaverians hit the road to meet the challenge from Old Ignatians Riverview in the third instalment of the Jesuit Old Boys Cup as the boys from Melbourne set out to win their first bit of silverware for 2010. The challenge was dealt an early blow with a mortified Ventoruzzo the victim of a clerical error at Melbourne airport, reducing the playing group to 13, many of which had enjoyed the seductive sights and sounds of Sin City over the previous 24 hours. By mid morning the call went out and the squad was all present and accounted for, convening at Wentworth Park in the early afternoon. Arriving at the multi ground venue, many of the OXSC champions were glad that the manicured ground and large grandstand was a venue befitting their skills. Sadly it was not to be, ego bursted and off to the side to do battle on a bumpy public green. The pre- match ground inspection was given extra care to seek out some quality turf upon a victory could be built. Early doors and the boys from Melbourne lined up in a much altered formation and game plan in order to deal with the local conditions. Trying hard to take the early advantage Lachal worked well to knock on for Ubaldi who was the beneficiary of the early opportunities and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Clyne was winning the aerial duels and putting the hosts on the back foot forcing them to concede a series of corners, the early breakthrough was likely from a set piece. Dangerous corner in and Vittadello had drawn Riverview on the near, it sailed on only for Erturk and Andy Lachal to knock into each looking to guide into the unguarded net. Comical but at least it showed a bit of desperation to get the team on the board. It took little more than half an hour for the OXSC to hit the front, great throw from Vittadello and Erturk rising high in the area and guided a sliding header into the far corner, Tarkan at the NightCat, little jig and celebrations at the OXSC took the lead. With confidence on the rise, the boys in White continued to dominate with Hainsworth and Fameli looking especially good, linking up well and providing some good options out wide. Family guy sought out a strong Bramante run, holding off his marker and shot from the angle, narrowly putting it over, Erturk with a near repeat of the captains effort and finally Jim teeing up Vittadello to spray wide. Xavs looking the goods at the break. No changes required at the half, just to re-iterate that if the OXSC maintained a clean sheet in the second half, they would be 2010 champions. To their credit Riverview came out strong in the second half knowing that although their southern cousins created more opportunities in the opening stanza, they only held a one goal lead. The boys in blue had a very good spell for the first 15 minutes of the second half with Pessina forced into a couple of good saves and the Butler Voss show kicking in to keep the hosts at bay. As Riverview poured forward in search of the equaliser, Xavier kept it tight and managed to pinch a second against the run of play, capping off some good work from the midfield to force it into the area, A-bomb scrambling home against some desperate defending, 2-0 and you had the feeling the Xavs would bring Greg Horgan’s 2008 leading assists home. The second goal with more than 20 remaining ensure that Riverview poured forward to get themselves back into the game, the play became more stretched and gave the opportunity for ‘The Barracuda’ Michael Fragale to shine in his come back game, his first since mid 2007. Fragale was finding his touch and released Bramante to threaten a third, then took it upon himself to commence an industrious surge through the middle only to be brought down outside the area. Hainsworth took a breather towards the end, pushing Clyne into the heart of defence, still maintaining the shut out and virtually on the stroke of full time, Andy Lachal capped off a good outing with his second, side footing home from around the spot to make it three. Thanks again to our hosts Old Ignatians Riverview and especially Jack O’Brien for organising the game and later festivities and we look forward to 2011 where we continue to encourage an expanded competition. |
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OXSC Seniors vs Old Trinity Sunday 28th February 2010 Pessina, Voss, Marazita, Butler, Guarino, Clyne M (Clyne D), Ashe, Kavanagh, Vittadello (Lachal J), Ventoruzzo (Nicholls), Ubaldi (Bramante) Xavier Shows who is Charles in Charge After accounting for Old Marcellin the week before, the boys in white were keen to lock horns with fellow Charles street residents, Old Trinity. Last year Xavier managed to knock in a tennis score, so who could blame them for feeling a little bit comfortable.
In came Voss, Guarino and Kavanagh and what we have all come to expect over the years, Thomas Van Vossy turns up for his first hit-out of the season and made it look effortless. Cilmi got delayed in Sydney so had to ring through the tactics to the captain who got the boys out on the park. Albeit looking a bit too relaxed, Xavs started the brighter with Matt Clyne crashing a trade mark long distance effort early in the first half to give first blood to the Catholic side of Charles St. Trinity fearing a repeat of 2009 rallied and worked hard throughout the middle of the half to have a strong spell of possession. The OXSC worked very well to keep it scoreless with Marazita back next to Butler and Ashe providing good coverage.
Ventoruzzo and Kavanagh dropped in to provide presence across the middle which allowed Vittadello a bit more freedom in between the lines. Roaming free, the Field Marshall knocked in a nice one for Ubaldi to stride clear of the midfield and bang home a top effort from near 25 yards out. Plenty of class and Xavs 2-0 up at the break.
On came Dan Clyne, Nicholls, Lachal and Bramante at the break as the OXSC set out to extend their lead to earn a score line reflective of the gulf in talent. Credit though to the Protestants who regrouped and set out with renewed vigour. Packing numbers across the middle made it less of a spectacle and Trinity were absolutely blessed that the Xavier forwards couldn’t hit a barn door.
The turnover in the middle of the park saw a quick ball played to the right of the OXSC penalty area, Butler going horizontal, the striker going vertical, it had to be perfect. Sadly not to be, slight clip, striker made the most and the ref pointed to the spot. Excellent penalty gave Pessina no chance, 2-1 game back on.
With a bit of pride a stake, the Xavs reacted as best as they could and moved the ball extremely quickly utilising skill and pace. A well worked move started by Voss on the left, a cross by Kavanagh and Lachal was on hand to knock in from the angle after the Trinity defence got into all sorts. Good response and 3-1 with little more than 20 to go. Sadly Los Blancos did not go on with the job and looked a bit sloppy in possession. When more than 3 passes were worked, the defence was breached and Xavier had plenty of pace to stream clear, Nicholls and Bramante were especially wasteful.
That little bit more desire was shown by Trinity as they managed to knock in a second with less than 10 to go. A couple of forced changes in defence made things a bit more interesting than they needed to be but the Xavs held and collecting bragging rights for another 12 months. A bit sloppy in patches and lacking a bit of concentration, though the major positive is the good level of fitness being shown, as the boys head to Sydney to face Riverview on the Jesuit Old Boys Cup.
OXSC Reserves 2 – Old Trinity Reserves 0 Sunday 28 February Scorers – Scott Brown, Peter De Luca OXSC – Snowdon, Barcellona (Fameli), Iacovangelo (Byrne), Sorani, Esnault, Brown, Pearse (De Luca), De La Pava (Balaton), Horgan (Murphy), A Lachal, Tamanas (Ketsakidis)
It may be the 2010 pre-season but the OXSC Reserves played in the manner befitting the 2009 championship winning team. Some of the faces may have changed but the end result didn’t – a cleansheet and two well executed goals for a well-deserved victory. The OXSC chose not to overly utilise the interchange rule, especially in the first half as the team gained some valuable pre-season conditioning. The defensive four played extremely well throughout the 90 minutes and the experiment of Iacovangelo at centreback seemed to work well in the second half. Adam Snowdon answered the call as goalkeeper and gave his usual assured display between the posts.
The OXSC midfield rotated at half-time but not before Scott Brown opened the scoring in the first half with an impressive 35 yard thunderbolt to exploit the out of position Trinity goalkeeper. The team’s strength in depth was apparent with Fameli, Byrne, Balaton, Murphy and Ketsakidis all providing solid second-half contributions off the bench. The steady trickle of OXSC chances on goal became a flood as the game progressed with Lachal, Ketsakidis, Horgan and Tamanas all unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Peter De Luca wrapped up the scoring in the second half to ensure a comfortable 2-0 win.
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