2010 Season

gabe — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:25:53 +0000

Edition Three: May 17, 2010

admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:49:52 +0000

All Talk is published in association with Paramount Lawyers {All Rights Reserved}

A Grade Match Report – Vs Golden Stars 15th May 2010, 6-1
The scene was set for the divisional knock out cup for the first division. After an abysmal performance in the league against Leichhardt Tigers the week before the Saints had much to prove in order to redeem themselves. Golden Star, arguably the most talented football club in the first division know how to win and secure results. The task before the Saints was a big one. Positions are still up for grabs in the first grade side and many new players still finding their home on the pitch knew within themselves this was the game they had to perform. With Dave Young back in goals after a two week absence the team looked much more confident. The Saints defence for the first time in a long time was made up of four Italian players Bombara, Marocchi, Mandaglio and Serafini.

Prior to kick off during the warm up, Jonathon Jusic pulled up lame and a quick reshuffle saw the ever maturing Serafini slot into the attacking left back role.

During the week Paolo Canchalara defied the odds by shaking the Canchalara curse which has haunted his family for years (the right knee injury). He slotted straight into the left mid field attacking role and played a fantastic game. During the early periods the game was evenly poised with John Panuccio scoring one of the all time classic goals ever scored on the field of dreams. The ever improving Irish import Eoin Maher with his electrifying speed sucked two defenders wide allowing JP to line up a cracking left foot volley about 32 metres out from the box. The ball looped and sailed into the top right hand corner of the net giving the Saints an early half 1 – nil lead.

Football is all about mental attitude and approach. The Saints continued with the good form. Shortly after continuing with the efforts of the Saints Irish import Eoin, the Golden Star defence was again stretched and the score was 2 – nil thanks to a slick finish from Gabby. The team was playing great football in particular the right hand side of the attack where Jimbo Bombara was providing an exceptional service to Eoin from the back, something that had been missing over the last fortnight. Movement forward was fluent with a lot of ball won in midfield. The defence was tight and Dave Young the keeper, screaming confidence from his goals. A late third goal in the first half saw the club’s Irish import rewarded for his excellent efforts in stretching opposition defence and showed another element to his game that of patience and reliability.

At half time the club captain Knowles who one day will become the club’s most capped first grade player if he keeps fit, had simple but effective words to say to his team. At the start of the second half the Saints picked up where they left off which saw the German import Christian Becker score a cracking right foot shot which virtually buried Golden Star. There was an incident during the second half which saw the Ghanaian star studded central mid fielder sent off, this didn’t stop the Saints from finishing Golden Star.

Midway during the second half club veteran Marocchi put his hand up for a well earned rest giving an opportunity for the club’s young talent San an opportunity to find his feet and approach to the game.

The Saints by this stage had the game truly won and a further two cracking goals were scored by Dean and Gabby. The score at 6 – 1 was reflective of the potential the Saints have for scoring from anywhere on the pitch at any particular time and most importantly during free flow football unlike most of the first division sides who rely on set plays with long kicks into the box in prayer for a defensive error. The Saints have illustrated in the last four or five weeks a fantastic free flowing attack with sharp movement and correct strategic planning prior to creating exciting goals. For the Saints to continue being a force in the cups and the league they will have to continue to play this way and capture their own imagination and belief, playing with confidence and unity.

Golden Star managed to pull one goal back which was highly controversial as the Golden Star player fouled a defender and continued to play the ball to a fellow player who was clearly offside, perhaps the awful incident which occurred during the game between the Golden Star players and referee had something to do with the referee letting the decision go. Like all great teams there are periods of sheer spontaneity and brilliance, this was one of those games. The Saints have now beaten two of the favourite teams to win cups and leagues this year, thumping them with five and six goals respectively, the signs are clear, this Saints team will certainly be there or thereabouts.

This weekend sees the Saints travel to an inadequate facility known as Campbell Park, Abbotsford where they play for the inaugural Paramount Cup victory in both the A and B grade. Unlike the history at the Saints Club that has more than 60 years of history, this Abbotsford side is a mismatch of non-footballing talent, however will give the Saints a run for their money if the Saints don’t stay focused, disciplined and determined they may find themselves languishing outside the top four.

B Grade Match Report – vs Golden Stars 15th May 2010, 2-2 AET, Saints go out on peno’s

Although this game got off to a bad start with Golden Stars going 1-0 up with only 8 men, a bit of grit and determination and a flash of brilliance ensured that this game was taken into extra time, after a hard fought 2-2 at King George.

The Saints for some reason did not feel comfortable playing against 8 men and did not go for the throat right from the word go. Against the run of play the Saints went 1-0 down after an uncharacteristic error from veteran JonnyM put their centre forward through to score the first.

It was only when Stars had a full team playing did the Saints settle down and start to play some football, and Alex Newman came on to slot home from a few yards to put the Saints at 1-1. Another error in the middle when Dean gave the ball away resulted in a breakaway goal for the Stars to put them 2-1 up. Individual errors seem to have cost the Saints in every game this season.

When it looked like we were dead a buried up 2 old men of the team combined to claim a glorious equaliser. Dean fed Martinez on the right, and whipped in an inch perfect cross for Guru to crash home a thumping header leaving their keeper with no chance. 2-2 and into extra time where the game petered out as both teams looked like they wanted peno’s to settle this one.

Into peno’s it went and straight away Marco Marocchi saved the first. He then took off in a scene reminiscent of John Aloisi’s celebration when he scored the peno to send Australia through to the world cup. Marco had to be reminded that there was actually another 4 peno’s to go before we could celebrate and this was not sudden death. A shirtless Marco was eventually stopped on Victoria road and brought back down so he could get in goal for peno no 2.

Up stepped Alex Newman with a chance to put the Saints 1-0 up. Newman rolled the ball up to their keeper (5 inches to the left of centre), their keeper picked it up and was then penalised for coming off his line too soon, PHEWWWW a chance for Alex to do what he does best and ram the ball home. Peno 2 was retaken and this time the ball was hit even softer than the first attempt (which was a difficult feat in itself) and was bang in the centre of the goal. Saints fans were wondering if the keeper could get credit for making a “save” when in fact there was not enough power in the shot to actually make it fully across the line.

Golden Stars went 1-0 up with their next one, then Martinez stepped up to coolly slot home into the corner giving their keeper no chance.

Then San went next and calmly slotted the ball home without any fuss

Up stepped Stef White, a chance to redeem his Dads past and lay the ghosts of the cup final to rest when Whitey Snr ballooned the ball over the bar to loose the cup for the Saints many years ago. Unfortunately the only good thing that could be said about Steph’s peno was that hitting the top goal posts prevented the ball going into the water, as he did a Chris Waddle special.

Marco, still exhausted from running up to Victoria Road could do nothing about the last peno and the Saints were out of the cup.

Where are they now? 60 seconds with ……..Alan “Whitey” White

Each week, All Talk will be contacting old club members to see what they are up to these days now that they have severed ties with the club.

This week we chat to Whitey, famous for his temper tantrums that nobody could understand, drinking Old but not paying for it, sending off’s and missing a peno in the Cup Final all them years ago

Alan good to talk to you, first of all, what are you up to these days?

I have taken a sabbatical away from the game. Now my batteries are recharged I will get back into the game but only in a coaching capacity.

What went through your mind as Stef walked up to take a peno in the shoot out?

Hit it low… don’t put it over the bar or I will cop it!!

How long did you play with the club?

10 years playing and 5 years coaching the juniors

What is your best memory?

Managing to achieve 3 points in the 3-2-1

And your worst?

I have 2…Getting sent off in the cup final and missing that bloody penalty.

What was the funniest thing you saw during your time at the club?

There was nothing funny about playing for Leichhardt. I gained many gray hairs in my days there.

Apart from Mick Glynn who was the best player you played with at the Saints and why?

If I cant say Mick Glynn, I would have to say “The Kaiser” He was so silky smooth even around the box. Reminded me of a younger me.

Have you hung up your boots or have you played since you left the Saints?

Alas…I have hung up my boots…except when I day dream.

If you won $1m in the lottery what would you do with it?

Get my leg fixed so good that maybe I could once again grace K.G. oval. After what I’ve seen so far this season that if I fixed my knee I’d be a certainty for player of the year!!

Quotes of the Week:

Quotes of the week is back, if you hear anything that was funny, stupid, ridiculous then keep them in mind and send them on to michaelgl@hotmail.com so we can publish them in All Talk.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree Whitey”, Chippo lets Whitey Snr know about Whitey jnr’s miss. (It should be noted that Chippo had to come out from behind the bushes to have his 2 cents worth, he was hiding there in case HE was asked to take a peno, like a true Sicilian his courage returned after the war was finished)

“Yes Albert, and you being such a famous player in this league, their keeper should have known that” Amanda Martinez sarcastically makes sure Alby’s feet are kept firmly on the ground after he pointed out the maybe the keeper could have saved it because he always went for the same corner (that’s 2 for 2 over 10 seasons for Alby).

“Tez looks like a real coach now, I can mould him into my understudy”
Marocchi is impressed with the sight of Tez walking up and down the sideline with the clipboard in his hand

“Well I took your advice, I hit the target”
Newman tries to shift 50% of his peno miss onto Breeny, as Breeny asked that everyone make sure that they hit the target during the shoot out. Next time he will be more specific with instructions “hit the target, have enough power in it so it can get across the line, and don’t hit it straight at the keeper, TWICE”

“I wish Natasha was here to see that” A loved up Guru wanted the new love of his life to see him score that cracking header.

The WAGs are back in town

It was really great to see so many wives and girlfriends (WAGs) down watching the game on the weekend.

Two incidents in particular caught All Talks eye. One was of Freddy Mercury lookalike Marco Marocchi and his wife standing behind the bench with their arms around each other. It was almost as if Mrs Marocchi was saying “I know he is a famous lookalike but leave him alone, he is mine” baby no 3 could be on the way soon if this public display of affection is anything to go by.

The other incident was of our very own love machine Guru. All Talk, in all the years of publication has never seen him so smitten with a new woman. Even with a kick to the head and the “pink eye” he suffered, all he could do was think about the missus turning up. When she got there he went out of his way to talk her through his goal, and more importantly introduce her to all of the lads. This introduction was seen by many as a validation of the seriousness of this new relationship as he wanted to bring her into the “inner circle” within the Saints.

“The only thing that really bothered me was that nobody at the club ever asks me about how she is, I always ask about other players wives and girlfriends but nobody ever asks me about Nat”

So in the spirit of making Guru and his lover part of team, All Talk would ask you all to show this new couple some support and EVERYBODY please ask Guru on Wednesday “Hey Guru, how is Natasha?”

Committee Comments:

Remember Saturday evening we are all meeting in PJ O Briens on the corner of Lyons Rd and Victoria Rd for a team night out. All Talk will be there and hopefully get some good shots of the night. The last team outing was late last year, Tony Canchalara thoroughly enjoyed it as you can see from the pic below:

2010 Season

admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:38:13 +0000

Welcome back to another season in the Sydney Amateur League. This year marks the 40th anniversary of our club playing in this league. The Saints have a rich history in the league and we welcome all new players to join with us this season in celebrating the love of the game.

Congratulations to our new committee and the new faces for 2010. We wish you all the best for the coming season.

Important Forms

gabe — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:15:25 +0000

An all you need to know about Leichhardt SFC booklet. This is a players guide to the club rules and regulations as well as helpful information about the season. View booklet.

The Code of Conduct is a convention of rules set up by Leichhardt SFC for its players, members & supporters as acceptable conduct whilst representing the club. View Code of Conduct.

All players and coaching staff are members of Leichhardt SFC inc. If you are interested in joining our club please contact us via email or meet us down at King George Oval Rozelle every Wednesday night from 7pm. View membership form.

All players this year are required to fill out an application form if they wish to play this season. The form is compulsory even if you played last season. View SAFL application.

Chop visits Leichhardt!

gabe — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:50:35 +0000

Earlier this year alltalk took time out from the game v Bondi to talk to ex -clubman and star defender Franky Francois Chop Kenny. Chop as he is known by us at LSFC moved to Canberra to help out our PM with ensuring revenue is ever available for his stimulus packages. Alltalk asked this club legend a few question and a whole lot of home truths.

All Talk: Chop how have you coped this season not playing for the club?

Chop: Well I have missed the boys and the banter at the pub, but I can’t say I miss the football.

All Talk: Why don’t you miss the football?

Chop: The pain the next morning in every part of your body., and the next day and the next day. It just not easy getting old.

All Talk: So what are you doing in Canberra?

Chop: I have become a public servant, working for the Department of Human Resources.

All Talk: Loving the job?

Chop: Yes, it is challenging, I needed a new challenge and this looks like the challenge that could challenge me.

All Talk: Speaking of challenges, how has Susan taken the move?

Chop: She loves it here in the Nation’s Capital, there are so many great places to eat and you never know who you may bump into at dinner here.

All Talk: Had dinner with anybody famous yet?

Chop: You’ll just have to read susan eats…

All Talk: How do you think the team looks this year and how do you rate their chances.

Chop: They look like a great squad, but let’s see who is still around come finals time. Let’s hope you can win the Amateur Cup for both grades this year.

All Talk: There is talk you may come back and coach the Leichhardt Side now that Guru’s contract expires at the end of the year.

Chop: Well that’s next year, let’s see what happens, at this stage I am happy with my present situation.

All Talk: Chop thanks for talking with us.

Chop: My pleasure.

Leichhardt Saints SFC

2010 Season

Edition Three: May 17, 2010

2010 Season

Important Forms

Chop visits Leichhardt!