The men’s senior team went in to their Rd 2 away clash against Essendon United full of confidence after their Rd 1 come from behind win against the must fancied, big budget Hume United. There was only 1 change to the starting line up which saw Cuong replaced by last weeks super sub & match winner, David Greening. Cuong unfortunately tore his hamstring similar to how he tears the meat off the bone when indulging in his favourite pastime of visiting KFC & purchasing a tub of chicken (with potato & gravy dip for added flavour).

La Trobe made a bright start to the game with little David G terrorising Essendon along the left wing. The constant pressure on the Essendon midfield & backline saw ‘Maizie’ thread a ball through to the rampant David (our English friend) Greening who remained composed to drag the ball past the keeper, cut back in, cut back out, cut back in yet again to finally slot it in the back of the olde onion bag. Moments later David (our English friend) Greening found himself with another great chance only to be denied by the Essendon keeper.

Momentum then swayed back Essendon’s way after Nick (Peter Enckelman) Hendry made his first blunder since his arrival at La Trobe by miss kicking a goal kick which skimmed along the ground to kindly fall the feet of some Essendon player who took a touch and drilled an ordinary goal from about 40yards, whatever. The usually energetic Young Nick V was finding it difficult to get in to the game & a change was forced with 10min remaining in the half. It was later discovered that Young Nick V’s ‘heavy legs’ came as a result of choco dancing the previous night at some teen establishment called Platform 1....Off the back of the equalising goal, Essendon started dominating the midfield through pure numbers and this dominance resulted in a second goal minutes out from the break. The teams went in to half time with Essendon United up by 2 goals to 1.

Essendon came out in the second half with a game plan which is usually reserved to the last 5 minutes of a Cup Final, time wasting! Surely this couldn’t be maintained for the duration of the half...or could it? Start to the half was scrappy with both teams struggling to find rhythm. Essendon found themselves behind the La Trobe back line on a couple of occasions with Nick (Pepe Reina, now) Hendry keeping La Trobe in the game with a brilliant shot block. Chances were few and far between however La Trobe did find themselves with a great opportunity when much to his amazement, former Italian Serie B legend AD was presented with a golden chance after a beautiful cross by young Cang found its way to him, the subsequent strike on goal was on the wrong side of the post. AD was later substituted along with Luca (how’s my hair) Lavalle. Natsis & the Prince were the teams last hope of getting something out of the game. With only minutes remaining in normal time (prior to the half hour the referee was going to add on for injuries & time wasting), young David G still running around from the first half sound himself on the end of a shot which Essendon’s keeper caressed the ball on to the cross bar, to then slot away the leveller. Essendon at this point changed tactics from time wasting to flooding their own back line. Young Cang found plenty of width along the right in the last 10min but was unable to find anyone on the end of his crossed. After a world record 30min of injury time, the muppet...I mean referee brought an end to the game.

In conclusion La Trobe were glad to rescue a point out of the game while Essendon....um, who cares what Essendon think.

Best on ground – Essendon keeper. Not only did he prevent La Trobe from scoring on a couple of almost certain occasions, he also found the time to generously collect soccer balls from the Maribyrnong River in between stoppages of play. Great effort champ.

The Eagle.