Brendon Hedger's Football Journey

[mattfb]

Top effort. I like this idea, tempted to make my own diary type story like this. Good idea.

Hows managing in the NSW Super League like? I've got the file but havent managed in it yet.

 

[hedger_14]

I don't know. I'm not the manager


And I haven't actually managed in the db before. I downloaded it to try this. I'm trying to not focus on the managing side in this game as it is not of my concern.

 

[hedger_14]

Going With The Same Lineup​

S**t, I was going to be late to training. I grabbed my kit and sprinted off. I got there just in time puffing. What another 5 laps. I just sprinted to the ground and now I needed to run again. Annoying coach. I just slowly jogged around the field. After doing some stretches, we worked on our passing. I found training boring. We then worked on our strength for a while. As the time passed, I was getting tired and wondering about our upcoming game. At the end of training, I had a shower before checking the team list. I was pretty certain I was going to be in the starting XI.



Corey Evans
Phillip Doyle
David Petratos
Matthew Griffiths
Tristan Cross (C)
Rhys Sterrey
Frane Horvat
Bradley Fitzgerald
Jon Brennan
Brendon Hedger
Domenico Rolli


Subs:

Mirko Allessandro
Chris Meredith
Don Blazincic
Michael Bosnar
Samuel Brown


No changes had been made to last weeks XI. Seems Damian was pleased with last weeks effort. We were away to Central Coast Lightning so a trip to Gosford was a bit of travel by bus. 2 days away, the game was so I had a day off before the match. What would be my fate though. Hopefully the same as last match.

 

[mattfb]

Good to see your still in the first xi

 

[hedger_14]

Falling To Another Defeat​

We arrived in Gosford at around 2:00 ready for a 3 pm kick off. Central Coast were slight favourites as they were at home but it was going to be a close game. After a short warmup, Damian talked to us. "Play a normal game. Just go forward when needed and come back. Central Coast play a different sort of formation. They play with a sweeper with 2 centre backs in front of them with 2 wing backs on either side with 3 mids all in the centre and 2 attackers. The wing backs like to move all the way up the line so don't think that they will be playing all through the middle. Now show them what we're made of." He also said to get the ball to me most of the time due to how dangerous I was in the previous game. I was going to make sure the defenders didn't have an easy time. "Go get 'em son", Damian said as he slapped my back.

We ran out onto the field as they kicked off. Both teams had a few chances in the first 10 minutes but yet I had a good chance to trouble the keeper. We had a corner though. Brennan took it. The play quickly broke down though and the ball was cleared. I finally had a chance to run with the ball 22 minutes into the game. I ran around 2 defenders before trying to loft it over to Rolli. Burns took no chances though trying to clear it behind but mistimed it a bit and the keeper didn't see it coming as it came towards the goals but it just went wide. A corner kick but you could see the relief on the defenders face. It was getting close to half time and it was still level. I took the ball and I quickly scooted around Paul Andrews before feeding it on to Fitzgerald. He smacked it at the keeper, aiming at his face and the ball was fended out but the ball was only cleared up to our left back at the half way line. It was a frantic end to the half but nobody was able to put it in the back of the net.

I made a few runs in the half and made a key pass but I was still yet to have a shot at the goal. Blazcinic was brought on for Fitzgerald during the break hoping to get something. We attacked early on in the half but couldn't get many shots away. It went bad though as they went on the counter as Hamer had the chance to score and made the most of it, smacking it into the back of the net. I knew it would be up to me and Domenico to get us back into it. 63 minutes into it. If we wanted to win it, we would need to score quickly. We won a free kick in a dangerous area. I stepped up to take it. Brennan just left it to me. 3 men in the wall. I had a look to see what I wanted to do. I decided to fancy my chances as I curled it around the wall. It thumped into the keepers glove though but it spilt out as it fell down to Blazincic but we wasn't able to capitalise as they quickly covered and kicked it out into touch. Bosnar came on to make our second substitute as Rhys came off. "Orders are to start playing more attacking", he said when he came on to issue the managers instructions. I had one of my best chances in the 76th minute when I got time for a shot but I kicked it over and punched the ground in frustration. 3 minutes now and we needed some luck to draw from here. The final whistle came too soon though and we had lost 1-0.

Heads were in hands as we recorded our second loss in 3 games for the season. I was pretty disappointed in my effort and thought I should have done better. Damian said the result was disappointing and we should have done better. I think we all thought we should have done better. Anyway, better luck next time. I still think I was safe as Rolli had another poor game and he was likely to get dropped if anyone.

 

[ARay]

That free kick was vital for a draw.
Well, hope you done face the axe because of it.

 

[hedger_14]

I Keep My Spot​

I had to miss training due to my grandma being sick in hospital which the manager allowed me to. I told him I would be able to play in the game still though. I didn't know whether missing training would ruin my chances of a starting XI spot in the weekends match. After a long day and finding out my grandma would be alright, I was getting ready to go back home when I heard my phone ring. I picked it up. It was Chris, "Hey Chris". "Hey mate." "How was training today?", I asked him. "S**t as always." "So what were you calling me for?" "You're in the starting XI for Saturdays match." A smile came to my face. "You playing?" "Yeah, man. David was dropped." It would have been the first time we would both be in the starting XI at the same time. "Anyway, when you get back, you can have a look at the lineup board if you want." "Will do then, Chris. See ya" "Ok. Bye". I hung up and headed off home.

 

[blake]

I had to miss training due to personal reasons

What personal reasons? For flings sake Hedger, it's you telling the story. You should now? I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a diary but right now it sounds like it is being written in third person.

Come on Hedger... I already warned you about this.

 

[hedger_14]

Penalty Saves Us From Defeat​

Saturday afternoon and I was warming up for the match against Macarthur Rams at our home stadium. The rain was coming down softly but I knew it could get worse. I also knew there were a few changes made to the starting XI. The team sheet was:

Corey Evans
Phillip Doyle
Chris Meredith
Matthew Griffiths
Tristan Cross (C)
Rhys Sterrey
Frane Horvat
Bradley Fitzgerald
Jon Brennan
Brendon Hedger
Lachlan Davidson


Subs:

Mirko Alessandro
Johan van der Waal
Don Blazincic
Michael Bosnar
Domenico Rolli


The manager came up to me. "I should probably give you this award now". I looked at him confused. "What are you talking about". "You were selected as the NSW Super League Young Player Of The Month." "Well thank you", I said not believing this. In my first month of football, I get the Young Player of the Month. I had to focus on this game though and put the award winning behind me. We were favourites for the match. At 3 pm, we headed out onto the field. They kicked off and the game was underway.

I had a chance in the first minute as I ran from half way up to the goal box but my shot missed by a mile. "Nice try", Lachlan said as the keeper got the ball for a goal kick. We then got a free kick in a dangerous area 3 minutes into the match. Paul Crisp got a yellow card. I decided to go quickly back to Brennan and we tried to work it around before it was cleared by them for a throw. Both teams had their chances but it was still level at 0-0 10 minutes before half time. 0-0 at half time and there probably should have been a few more goals. Nobody had a real poor half so no changes were made and Damian said to keep at it as we could win today

Brennan recieved a yellow card early on in the second half. Oh no. Mort struck the ball from well outside the box as it smashed into the crossbar and fell down into the goal. Not good defender and the manager was shouting to get forward. Horvat got a good chance to equalise but the keeper tapped it over the bar for a corner. The manager brought Rolli on for Horvat in the 74th minute and we were playing 3 up front. PENALTY!!! The ball was put into the box and Fitzgerald tried to get to it but El Jamal held onto his shirt giving him no chance and the penalty was given. He was given a yellow for it but it could have well been a red as it was likely to be a goal if he didn't commit the foul. I stepped up to take the penalty. My heart was beating. I had to get it. I smashed it just to the left of the goalkeeper who was wrong footed and it went straight into the back of the net. I slid on my knees on the wet ground as I was congratulated for the goal. 89 minutes in and we had a free kick in a dangerous area. I went for goal but it came off the wall and went out for a corner. Going into the final 3 minutes of stoppage time and with all the momentum, we were told to just go all out to win the game. Full time though and 1-1. A good match and a fair result.

The manager told us we played pretty well and that we should play like that against the stronger teams. I had a fair match with the goal while making some runs and travelling over 10km during the course of the match. We would be looking for a few more wins soon.

 

[ARay]

Not bad, not bad at all. Good stuff going on hedger!

 

[hedger_14]

As I'm really only posting the lineups in training, I'm just going to not worry about it unless something important happens, I'll just be doing the matches and posting the lineups before the match starts. Just that I don't think people really care about another boring training session and just look at the lineup and just say, "Great. You're still in the team". Anyway, update should be later.

 

[hedger_14]

An Exhausting Attempt​

Only 1 change was made to the side that drew Macarthur Rams the previous week, that being Blazincic being brought in for Fitzgerald. Chris was happy to get a second consecutive start and I was feeling good having regained my spot, leading the goal scoring charts for our team with 3 goals, Brennan the only other player to score a goal with 1 goal. The lineup was:


Corey Evans
Phillip Doyle
Chris Meredith
Matthew Griffiths
Tristan Cross (C)
Rhys Sterrey
Frane Horvat
Don Blazincic
Jon Brennan
Brendon Hedger
Lachlan Davidson


Subs:

Mirko Alessandro
Johan van der Waal
Bradley Fitzgerald
Michael Bosnar
Domenico Rolli


We were playing FC Liverpool this week at the Seymour Shaw Park. They were clear favourites for the match but we wouldn't be giving up. Damian still told us we could win though to boost our confidence and it definately gave me won as I now thought we could actually come away with something from this game. So we headed out on to the field. We kicked off and the game was underway.

Liverpool got a good chance early on with Coban getting a cross in the 4th minute but his header went over the bar and out for a goal kick. They continued to control the game early on as I was still yet to see the ball in 12 minutes of play. The pressure finally paid off 20 minutes in as Benedetti got his head onto a Coban cross and put it past the keeper. I told the guys to keep our heads up. We got a good chance with a corner 24 minutes in and we would have wanted to make it count. We failed to get anything from it and Horvat made a stupid challenge 34 minutes in which got him a yellow card and a perfect opportunity for Liverpool to score. It was 1-0 at the break though and we needed to turn it around if we wanted to win. The manager tried to get us all up, "I want to see more from all of you. You can win this if you try hard. It's not going to come easily." It seemed to boost some players confidence. "Lachlan. Take a rest. Domenico, you replace him". I had a poor half so I was surprised I didn't get substituted instead but I guess he wanted me out there as I played better in the second half.

They attacked early on but we managed to get a good chance 63 minutes in. We had a free kick. I curled it in towards the heads. Rolli ran in and headed it towards goals. I watched it painfully. Damn, it went over. Brennan was taken off around 70 minutes in, bringing Fitzgerald on. It was getting into the dying stages of the match. I found the ball lying in front of me just outside the 6 yard box. It bounced up towards my head so I tried to head it in but the keeper managed to touch it away and it was cleared. I could not believe it. That was the best chance so far to score and I wasted it. Only 7 minutes to go now. 2 minutes of injury time. It was pretty much all over though when Horvat recieved his second yellow card and was sent off. Only 1 minute remaining. The final whistle went and I was exhausted. It was always going to be hard and the result showed it. "Good effort, guys", Damian told us which made us feel a bit better. We were sitting in 9th now, out of 12th with 4 points from 5 games. We had to start winning soon.

 

[AbhishekS]

Perfect update.
Simple and sweet.

KUTGW

 

[AkshayS]

Really nice update Hedger.
looking really good and simple.:hpraise

 

[hedger_14]

Back To The Bench​

I was trying not to get blown away while the rain hit me across the face. Strong winds and showers was forecasted and it had been telling the truth. We were playing Parramatta who we lost to in our previous encounter. I had been dropped to the bench and it was going to be pretty cold on the bench. The lineup was:


Corey Evans
Daniel McGowan
Chris Meredith
Matthew Griffiths
Tristan Cross (C)
Rhys Sterrey
Michael Bosnar
Don Blazincic
Jon Brennan
Domenico Rolli
Lachlan Davidson


Subs:

Salvatore Fiorentini
Johan van der Waal
Bradley Fitzgerald
Nick Chillico
Brendon Hedger


Damian started talking, "Keep warm and do your best. Try your best to get a result but it's not the end of the world if you don't". I made my way back to the bench and put the jacket on. Hopefully we could win this match and improve our league position.

They attacked early on but we managed to keep them out for the time being. Chris took the ball from Ross and cleared it down field as he ran it into the box and Ross went down appealing for a penalty. The referee didn't buy it though and gave Ross a yellow card for diving and we were off the hook once again. Chris was on top of his game as he made yet a vital interception of a cross to put it out for a corner. We finally had a good chance to score with Rolli firing one from just outside the box but it just went wide. Parramatta continued to pile on the pressure as we went past the 30 minute mark but we were still holding strong. We managed to hold out until half time but who knew how much longer we could hold them out for. "Nice defending that half. Could have had a few more chances but we're containing them for the time being so let's try and hold out for a draw or maybe even a win even if we can get a few chances."

The team headed out onto the field, no changes being made at half time. We got a good chance early on as Rolli won the team a corner 2 minutes into the second half. The corner was cleared though and we couldn't make anything happen from a good chance. Ross put Parramatta in the lead though with a good header giving Evans no chance and all our good defending work was for nothing. Hopefully we could level back but the team had lost their energy after conceding. Davidson nearly equalised but the ball thudded against the crossbar. Chillico was brought on for Brennan around 65 minutes in but I was still waiting for my chance, if it was to come. We won a penalty!!! Griffiths fouled Blazincic as he went free into the area. A yellow card was given but we had the perfect chance to equalise. Rolli stepped up. ****, he missed. He was having a shocking game. "Warmup", Damian told me. I took the jacket off and warmed myself up. So with 20 minutes remaining, I made my way onto the park. I got a good chance 74 minutes in as I ran from halfway past Heath and towards the penalty box. I centred into Chillico, the cross perfect as he got his head to the ball. McCan got his finger tips to it though putting it onto the bar as Heath cleared it for a throw in. A few minutes later, I saw Chris down in pain. I went over to him. I saw a cut in the top of his head, blood flowing out. The physio took him off the field with van der Waal being brought on. We had a corner with 9 minutes to go after my free kick deflected off the wall and out for a corner. The game seemed over as we headed into the final minute of normal time. Knight sealed it for Parramatta though, making it 2-0, as we appealed for offside, and replays clearly showed he was offside. Stupid linesman. Rolli's missed penalty probably cost us the game as we wouldn't have had to push late for a draw so he would probably be dropped after playing a very poor game. "Come on guys. We were going so well up until half time, then we just lost it. Let's come back strongly now." I heard the managers words as the rain continued to fall. I went to the change rooms to find Chris. "What's it like?" I asked him. "No need to worry. Just a cut. Will be back in time for next game". "Cool. Well played out there today". "Thank you. Means a lot". We had an Australian Championship qualifying match on Wednesday and we would have to head down to Canberra to play Belwest Foxes. Hopefully we could win that game.