Brendon Hedger's Football Journey

[thesweepmaster]

A very interesting and enjoyable read once again Hedger. Personally, I do think this is a very good story, not many people would have chosen an Australian league to base their story around but it does actually work really well in a diary format. Great update and KUTGW!

 

[ARay]

Liverpool? Sorry if I risk sounding stupid, but this is the Australian league isnt it? :what

 

[thesweepmaster]

Liverpool? Sorry if I risk sounding stupid, but this is the Australian league isnt it? :what

There is actually! They are called FC Liverpool Bossy!If you want more info go to this website Super League.

PS, if you think it sad that I actually looked around on the internet for this for over an hour, well I guess I'm sad!

 

[hedger_14]

Liverpool is in Sydney. My dad used to work there which is probably one of the reasons he follows Liverpool in the EPL.

 

[blake]

There is actually! They are called FC Liverpool Bossy!If you want more info go to this website Super League.

PS, if you think it sad that I actually looked around on the internet for this for over an hour, well I guess I'm sad!

Nice effort Sweep, a good find.

There are a lot of phoenix teams or teams named almost like parodies of the Premier League clubs - even in England. In the 10th tier of the English pyramid, there are clubs like AFC Liverpool, Westhamians, and all sorts of teams that are extremely similar to big clubs. Considering that Liverpool is also a suburb in NSW, it's not really a surprise that their team is named that.

 

[ARay]

There is actually! They are called FC Liverpool Bossy!If you want more info go to this website Super League.

PS, if you think it sad that I actually looked around on the internet for this for over an hour, well I guess I'm sad!

Definitely not!

 

[hedger_14]

Over To Cup Football​

It was our first cup match of the season and we were down in Canberra, a cool day with no rain. Domenico was dropped to the bcnh as I made my way up into the starting XI with Brown coming on to the bench since another sub was allowed to be played. Horvat came back into the starting XI after his suspension which was the only other change.


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


Subs:

Salvatore Fiorentini
Johan van der Waal
Bradley Fitzgerald
Michael Bosnar
Samuel Brown
Domenico Rolli


"Get out there and do your best. You were selected for a reason so don't disappoint me." Damian said making his point clear. "Come on mate. It's only a match", Chris said to me noticing that I was very nervous. It made me feel a little better but could I make an impact tonight. We headed out onto the field ready for kick off. They kicked off and the match was underway.

I got a great chance early on as Blazincic put the ball ahead of me and I put it past the keeper and started to celebrate before I saw the linesman's flag raised. Oh well. Hopefully next time. We were in control early on as we had all the attacking opportunities. GOOOAAAALLLL!!!!! I put the ball back to Horvat who struck it fiercely with his left boot, the keeper diving away to his left but the ball went straight into the top corner, the keeper helpless to stop it and we were up 1-0. They got their chances though after that, getting a few attacking opportunities over the next 15 minutes. Damn. They scored, pretty much the same way as us, Nikolovski hitting it from 25 yards, giving the keeper no chance. They also got a bit displaced after the goal and we got the chances of our own, now with a free kick. The ball was hit well into the area but no players managed to get a head to it as the keeper clutched the ball to his chest. PENALTY!!! The referee pointed to the spot. Lepri had apparently body checked Blazincic, the reason for the penalty and I stepped up to take it, knowing it would put us in the lead. I STRUCK IT PERFECTLY!!! The ball flew into the top right corner, the keeper not even getting close to it and I had taken the team 2-1 into the lead while I celebrated by sliding down on my knees. The final few minutes of the half didn't bring any excitement and we went into half time 2-1 up.

"Good work that half. I'm very pleased and if we continue to attack as we have been, we should win this easily." I was happy with my performance in the first half with a goal and a goal assist. We headed back out with no changes being made and the second half was going to be a very up tempo one. We got the first chance of the half, Blazincic running down the wing before getting his shirt pulled and it was a free kick. I put it into the box but the defenders headed it clear. They nearly got us on the counter attack but McGowan put in a good challenge to save the day. We had another attacking opportunity but it broke down and I saw Henderson running for the ball so I decided to grab his shirt, which he just dived straight to the ground. The ref gave a free kick. WHAT!! I signalled that he dived to the referee but he didn't buy it. "Oh get up, you stupid Italian." He gave me the stare as I made that comment but I just got on with the game. We had a corner which was put short into the box which Chris got to and had a strike but the keeper made a good save and it was out for another corner. I was getting fed up with Henderson as he tripped me as I was running through. The ref signalled a free kick and I got up and gave him a shove. "Oi, calm down", the referee told me. He then called Henderson over and showed him a yellow card. I smiled as I readied to take the free kick. I took it quickly, putting it to McGowan. He put the ball into the box but nobody could get to it as the keeper dived on it. The game was getting close to full time and it looked like we had won the match. There was 4 minutes of stoppage time though which meant they still had some time to score. The captain yelled out orders to make sure we held on. YESS!!! We won the match. We all celebrated as we would be into the next stage of the Australian Championship.

We held on well in the second half and deserved to win, having 54% of the ball. "Great work guys. Now we need to win our next league match." Damian's words were right and we would be confident for our next match. We now realised that we had to head back up from Canberra. What fun... Not.

 

[hedger_14]

Falling To Defeat Again​

We had only had a few days rest after arriving back on Friday. It was now Saturday though and we were ready for the match against Mt Druitt Rangers. The wind was blowing defined as a 'gale' and it was hard to hear against the wind. Will was back from injury but he was only given a bench spot as he still wasn't fully fit. The manager had made a new signing with James Summut coming to the club. He wasn't given a spot though after only arriving on Friday but this could threaten Horvat's and Sterrey's spot. Lachlan was given a rest and with Will coming back, Domenico was dropped altogether.


Corey Evans
Daniel McGowan
Chris Meredith
Matthew Griffiths
Tristan Cross (C)
Rhys Sterrey
Frane Horvat
Don Blazincic
Jon Brennan
Brendon Hedger
Samuel Brown


Subs:

Salvatore Fiorentini
Johan van der Waal
Bradley Fitzgerald
Michael Bosnar
Will Paone


We were the outsiders in this match but Damian told us not to worry about and play like we did in Canberra. We were jovial and we thought we could win. I did my stretches as the game was getting closer to beginning. We made our way out onto the field. Tristan won the toss and chose to run from west to east and we were given the ball to kick off.

Samuel passed it to me from the kickoff as I went back to Chris and I started heading forward a bit. We were defending early on but we managed to get an attacking opportunity after a through ball was cleared behind for a corner. Nobody could get anything on the corner and it was cleared out of the box. The ball came back down to me but Dowling upended me as I hit my head on the ground and won the free kick. Ouch!! He helped me up, "Sorry about that." At least this guy apologised. The ball was curled in unintentionally and the keeper managed to tap it over the bar. We were looking very organised, playing good attacking football as well as defending well and it was still 0-0 after 16 minutes. We finally cracked though 20 minutes in, a corner sent in well and the header was spot on as Griffin put Mt Druitt ahead. We went onto the attack after that but we still couldn't get the shots away. The skipper hadf his chance from a long shot but it went well over. Frustration into the captain's mind there? We went into half time a goal down but we could still come away with something here.

Sam was having a very poor game so far and Damian sent Will out there for him in the second half. After the half time, we went out onto the field with the managers words in our heads knowing that we were not out of it. Will made a good chance a few minutes into the half but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner. We had to scramble after that though as Mt Druitt Rangers went onto the attack. We were down even more after Mt Druitt put in a second goal, from another corner as Evans appealed the ball was taken from his hands by Griffin before he put the ball into the net. We couldn't find any chances after that to score and the game was into the final 10 minutes. The 10 minutes went too quickly though and we went down 2-0 and the team's mood wasn't as it was at the start of the game.

Damian was pretty disappointed in the effort but told around half of the team, including me that we played well. If we lost too many more games, I was likely to quit the club. I wasn't getting enough chances to score so hopefully we could turn our season around in the next few weeks.

 

[hedger_14]

Another Point At Last​

Another loss was expected as we were at our home stadium for the match against St George. It was a gusty day, for not the first time in the season. Chris Roulston, an Australian U19 International had been signed by Damian which might give us a better chance and he was immediately put into the starting XI with Sterrey falling to the bench. Will had a cold and missed the match with Domenico regaining a spot in the squad with a move to the bench. James who we signed the previous week was still left out though. Matthew was given a rest with Johan coming into the starting XI.


Corey Evans
Daniel McGowan
Chris Meredith
Johan van der Waal
Tristan Cross (C)
Chris Roulston
Frane Horvat
Don Blazincic
Jon Brennan
Brendon Hedger
Samuel Brown


Subs:

Salvatore Fiorentini
Matthew Griffiths
Rhys Sterrey
Michael Bosnar
Domenico Rolli


Hopefully a few changes could make a change in our luck. "Come on guys. You can win today if you try." I don't think we all believed it but it still made us feel slightly positive. We headed out onto the field ready for kick off. We got into positions and the game kicked off.

Evans was tested early on after the defence was left out of position majorly and only a great save denied St George. GOALLLLLLL!!!!!!!! We took the lead early on. Blazincic ran it down the wing before crossing it in. I knew I was getting close to Brown. There was nothing worse than a collision and as much as I wanted the shot, I left it for him to head it which was touched on by the keeper but went into the back of the net. I was thinking about how much cleaner it would have been if I had taken the shot. Oh well. It was a goal which was what counted the most. It didn't take long though for the equaliser to come which was also from a cross where Peric got his head to it and it came off the bar and into the goal. 1-1 and we were back where we started. Come on. Chris really should have been marking him but I wasn't going to criticise him. I was his friend after all. There were no more good chances as the game neared half time. 1-1 at half time and it was still anyones game. The Aussie U19 International, Chris Roulston had played well during the first half completing 16/20 passes, making 3/3 tackles and making 4 intercepts, more than anyone. No changes were made at half time and we were all set for the second half.

I don't know how Samuel was in the starting XI as he wasted yet another chance early on. Jon suffered a knock early on in the second half and was substituted for Michael. Roulston and Michael swapped positions as Michael couldn't play on the right hand side. They went on the offensive for the next 10 minutes but couldn't come up with any reward. A wonder strike from myself off a free kick from a distance that you wouldn't normally shoot from nearly resulted in a goal leaving the keeper nowhere as it smacked against the crossbar as the 'oohs' and 'aahs' went around the crowd. A little lower and it was perfect. I was getting even more frustrating as Samuel continued to waste more chances. "Get me off", I yelled to the sideline and with 10 minute to go, I was subbed for Domenico. The change nearly worked to perfection as Domenico split the defence in half but the shot was just over. Better in that one move than Samuel had played the whole game. NOT AGAIN!!! Samuel missed a simple chance to score and it seemed now to be a certain draw as it headed into stoppage time. I nearly spoke too early though as only a fantastic save from Evans denied St George a winning goal. The full time whistle went and a draw was a fair result for us.

"Well done guys. The result was needed. Let's go one better and make it a win. This side was always going to be tough to beat so this is a fantastic result." We were still on the bottom of the ladder but a win could have changed that. I really wanted to win the next game..... and for Samuel to be dropped from the team. "You calling me s**t, Sam". "I'm the one who scored, aren't I." "You're lucky their goalkeeper couldn't save that weak header. And how many times did you stuff up during that game." "You wanna fight, do ya?" "I'm thinking about it". He gave me a shove which got me ready to fight in and I clenched my fist ready to punch him before Chris intervened. "Come off it, mate. You'll get kicked out of the club." I realised that he was probably right and got a drink. I wanted that guy out of the club. I headed home after that.

 

[ARay]

I like the way the inner rivalry between the players is developing.
Keep it going!

 

[mattfb]

Should of decked him Hedger. Good result though.

 

[blake]

More violence!!11!11!!!!

 

[hedger_14]

Don't worry. More action should be coming in the next few weeks.

 

[blake]

Bring back the biff!!!11!!!1!!!!

 

[hedger_14]

Cup Football Again​

Another away match for cup football and this time it was a trip up to Newcastle University this time for the first leg of the NSW Cup against Merewether Advance. We were clear favourites against the Interdistrict side but we were low on morale so it could have easily been a loss. Samuel was dropped after not turning up to training. He must have been afraid that I'd fight him. He had apologised for not turning up but Damian dropped him still. Other than that, the only changes being made was Brennan being ruled out with injury which was a big blow and Salvatore Fiorentini would make his first appearance for the season with Evans being rested.


Salvatore Fiorentini
Daniel McGowan
Chris Meredith
Johan van der Waal
Tristan Cross (C)
Chris Roulston
Frane Horvat
Don Blazincic
Bradley Fitzgerald
Brendon Hedger
Will Paone


Subs:

Corey Evans
Matthew Griffiths
Rhys Sterrey
Michael Bosnar
Nick Chillico
Domenico Rolli
Lachlan Davidson


The match was going to be big and a chance that if we did lose, we would still have a chance to go through in the second leg back at home. I was ready to bag a few goals tonight though. "You can win this. Don't take it easy just cause it's a weaker team. They're capable of causing an upset so lets lot give them the chance to do so." Out onto the field we went, ready for kick off.

A handball just outside the box 8 minutes in gave us a perfect chance to take an early lead. I took the free kick. I hit it pretty well aiming for the bottom right corner but the keeper managed to tip it away before it being cleared to safety. I got a few runs and another good chance to score but my shot went over by a mile as I felt slightly embarrassed after that attempt as we continued to dominate early on. I managed to get in a good cross to win a corner so we would have another chance to open the scoring. DAMN!! They scored although the striker running onto it was clearly offside who slotted it past the keeper and a bad decision from the referee. We still failed to take advantage of our attacking opportunities as the game was into the final 10 minutes of the first half and we were still behind. 1-0 down at half time and our morale was very low.

"What was that? You expect to win like that! You need to take your chances. All they had was one good chance which was all it took to get in the lead. Get out there and show me what you're made of!" Damian was yelling at the team, particularly unimpressed and I was getting to the stage where I was getting tired of losing. No changes were made as we went out for the second half. OMG!!! Mooy just decided to kick it past his keeper. Own goal and we were back on level terms. Fitzgerald was away on goal but Mooy managed to get the ball and it seemed to be a brain explosion as he cleared it backwards and it went into the goal. I must have laughed after that but it had relieved the tensions a bit. Will was getting really tired and Damian brought Domenico on for him. They were in control for the next 15 minutes though as we headed towards the final 10 minutes. Damian still had one change up his sleeve. He made it, deciding to go for the win with Horvat coming off for Davidson to bring on the third striker. 3 minutes of stoppage time and it looked like we would have to win it on our own turf. I had my chance with full time nearing. I looked up. The 3 minutes of stoppage time should have been over so I quickly took the shot which the keeper misjudged and it went into the back of the net. I celebrated and was wondering why noone else was as I saw the team over at the referee. He had signalled full time, the bloody bastard. "What is this. You can't call full time like that!!!!" I complained at the referee, as I was really pissed off. "I blew my whistle already and it will count." I was really angry and said, "I hope you get sacked", I said under my breath as I walked away now realising how lucky I was that I didn't say that so he could hear it.

So a game full of controversy and what we should have won. Apart from the goal I should have had, I had a pretty poor match again and I would probably be dropped after that. All I could do was hope. The manager didn't even bother talking to us, also very unhappy. "That ref was s**t. You should have had that goal", Chris told me. I knew that and I wasn't in the greatest mood, "I'm really thinking about leaving." "What? You mean here or the club?" "The club of course. I don't find any reason in playing in a game full of controversy." "Come on. It was only one decision. You play well and you might get a contract in the A-League or something." "Yeah. I guess you're right", although still thinking about it.