Quarter finals - NCL Cup:

In a game that saw more yellow than a big yellow thing , an undermanned Grangers team continued to reach another milestone in its short but successful entry into the Northside Commecial League. A place in the NCL cup Semis.

This game was not however as easy as it appeared. An early indication that this was not going to be as easy was a distinct lack of Grangers players. A worried look from 9 Gangers players awaited Dave and Ray when they arrived at the George Street ground at 8pm form the 8pm kickoff. Paul Crilly was to arrive 5 minutes later.

(Harry, Mark, Chris and Anthony were all unavilable for this game andMerrick was sidelined with and injury.)

Grangers did start wih some good football, against a gale force wind, and the movement by Dave and John upfront was causing problems for the Roosters defence. Unfortunately, somhow this good work did not seem to end up with the desired result, a ball in the back of the neck. With the wind behind them, the Roosters occasionally looked dangerous on the break, but Jimmy, Pete, Russell, Froggi and Eroy hed them to a few long range efforts.

A number of times Andy, Nick, Rob, John and Dave worked into scoring positions but it wasnt until a deflected goal by Ray from the edge did Grange hit the lead.

It was good to turn around at the break with the wind at our backs for the second half and a one nil lead. Unfortunately John left the field not
long after the kickoff. The reason for his deaprture is unknown, some say he needed to go and charge his car battery, but the full story is yet to be revealed. It was fortunate to have Seargant Major Paul Crilly available to fill the upfield duties.

A few heated debates in the middle of the Park continued into the second half between Ray and about 6 or 7 other Roosters players about the marriage status of their parents. These exchanges were noticed by the trigger happy referee whounleashed a barrage of yellows and finally a red to one of the Roosters.

These debates were put to reast when Rob put the finishing touches on the match. He worked his way through the defence once again but this time put the ball home. 2 nil up for Grange and the undermanned team continued to press on until the final whistle.

All in all, it was a deserved victory with some more encouraging signs of improved passing and running off the ball. More improvements will still be needed to go all the way in the cup, the major one will is to get more than a full team onto the pitch.

Players:

Troy, Jimmy, Russell, Pete, Froggi, Ray, Rob, Andy, Nick, Dave, John, Paul.

Quote of the Match:
Ray talkng to the refreee after scoring: "Are you taking my number for the goal or the booking? If its the goal my number is 4, if it for the booking it is number 6".