Mens-O35 Team Page
| Date Played | Opposition | Game Type | For | Against | Result |
| Jul 04 | West Pymble | Competition | 4 | 2 | Win |
| Jul 11 | Prouille | Competition | 0 | 5 | Loss |
| Jul 18 | Berowra | Competition | 4 | 5 | Loss |
| Aug 01 | North Sydney | Competition | 4 | 2 | Win |
| Aug 08 | West Pymble | Competition | 2 | 4 | Loss |
| Aug 15 | Prouille | Competition | 5 | 2 | Win |
| Aug 22 | Berowra | Competition | 4 | 3 | Win |
| Aug 29 | North Turramurra | Competition | 3 | 3 | Draw |
| Sep 05 | North Sydney | Competition | 0 | 9 | Loss |
| Sep 12 | North Turramurra | Competition | 4 | 1 | Win |
| Sep 19 | Prouille | Competition | 2 | 3 | Loss |
| Sep 26 | Berowra | Competition | 4 | 0 | Win |
Jaded by the referee's deception Dangar Stu belts out his version of Grand Master Flash's 'White Lines' | Competition, Semis and Finals Statistics | Wins | Losses | Draws | | For | Against |
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| Report - Sep 26 Mens-O35 vs Berowra , Result: 4 - 0 Win |
Lying in fourth place and with premiership hopes dashed in the previous round, Brookie arrived at a very windswept Montview Oval with one objective: having fun at the expense of their local rivals second placed Berowra. The boys had a healthy contingent of subs one of whom was unfairly given assistant referee duties when he understandably misunderstood the match official's invitation to do a line. Despite the blustery conditions, the boys got off to a great start settling into a composed passing game that bamboozled Berowra culminating in Dane being brought down in the box then calmly putting away the spot kick. Soon after, he played a slide rule pass to his assonant associate, Kane, who calmly converted his one-on-one with the keeper before retiring from the game with a recurrent injury. Brookie was up 3 nil before the break when its relentless attack allowed Dane to vibrantly volley into the left side of the net from the right side of the box. Unfortunately for his parents they were seated at the opposite end of the pitch and may as well have been in Mt White to witness his successes on the day. The second half saw Berowra defend better but this was undone by Jimmy's sumptuous first time volley of Andre's perfectly weighted corner. Brooklyn's defence was outstanding particularly the likes of Luke, Greg (who got carpet burn from a defensive header) and Bob, while the likes of Mark and Dean continuously made plenty of space for themselves and others in the halves. Close to full time the Gut's defence was broken and the dream of the team's first clean sheet since European settlement appeared to be another dreamtime story when a through ball presented the usually reliable Berowra striker with a golden opportunity. But the Catfish swept out, dived low and snaffled the ball from his feet, his poisonous barbs giving the transgressor something to go on with.
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| Report - Sep 19 Mens-O35 vs Prouille , Result: 2 - 3 Loss |
Don't see above cos the photo has changed
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| Report - Sep 12 Mens-O35 vs North Turramurra , Result: 4 - 1 Win |
After a couple of disappointing results, The Gut returned to the scene of so many triumphs, the most recent of which was putting comp leaders Berowra to the sword. The first half of this game consisted of various strikers and halves taking it in turn to do target practice with Turra's only shot being successful. Dane broke the spell after the break when he again made room for himself on the right side of the box and drove the ball home. This effort was followed by Troy's long range shot from near half-way that was angled such that the keeper was blinded by the blazing sun just as it bounced in front of him, his lofty height of no use in this situation. Something that appeared to be an own goal followed that will probably be claimed by Kane as he later missed a sitter sumptuously dished up to him by the manager. Dane then completed his double, seemingly only the complexities of "the equation" lie between him and the Golden Boot. At the death, Jeff pulled off a fantastic save low down to his right to keep the score even more respectable and Brooklyn's for and against at a healthy 30/36. Man of the Match was Wade Smith who had a faultless display at right back after a three-game lay-off.
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| Report - Sep 05 Mens-O35 vs North Sydney , Result: 0 - 9 Loss |
Having convincingly beaten the harbourside team in their previous trip to far away Cammeray, The Gut was optimistic before the game until it was realised only nine players were starting with Greg and Jeff to arrive mid first half. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the boys held on until the break when they were only 2-0 down. However, with no subs unlike their well reinforced opposition, the hot conditions and a pitch that radiated even more heat, our heroes rapidly withered in the second half. During the last twenty of this descent into hell, they squealed like pigs to the ref for mercy the whole shebang feeling much like an interminable S & M experience in which the Gut was placed in various awkward positions by their red and black tormentors, all of which did not include the benefit of a "reach around" to quote Stu. These indignities lasted until the final whistle - no-one knowing the team safe word which was belatedly, and in hindsight obviously, found to be "COOPERS!"
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| Report - Aug 29 Mens-O35 vs North Turramurra , Result: 3 - 3 Draw |
Extracts from the Diary of a Mad Man. Saturday 15th August 3pm. Rush to NSFA results page to check 35 Div 6 scores. The horror! Those filthy oysterpickers have beaten my old club Prouille 5-2. How could this be? After I cruelled them so effectively against West Pymble the previous week I though their spirits would be broken. Must find a way to thwart their progress. Thursday August 20. As early as possible I visit referee’s website to appoint myself to the upcoming Brooklyn vs Berowra game. Damn!! Someone has already taken that spot. Never mind. Berowra will account for those lowly riverside rodents. Saturday 22nd August 5pm. Aaaghh! The NSFA results page says Brooklyn has beaten Berowra 4-3. My head pulses with rage. As I calm down, I think of how Brooklyn’s hopes will now be lifted and how I can obliterate their optimism in the upcoming round. Mwhahahahaha!!! Thursday August 27. Is there any feeling sweeter than filling my name in as referee for Brooklyn’s game vs North Turramurra this coming Saturday? Yes, there is! – the expectation of the havoc I can wreak on their pathetic premiership pretensions. Mwhahahahaha!!! Saturday 29th August 12:50 pm. Oh, the look on the faces and the drooping of the shoulders of the beastly Brookie boys as they realise who the referee is while warming up. Priceless! I check the electronic match card and wince as I need to imprint each of their ugly faces and names in my mind. There’s a Maitland on the card, no doubt the seed of that one I played against in the last century along with a few other geriatrics who are still lamely running around. 1pm to 2:35 pm. The game progresses nicely. Brooklyn has plenty of chances but can’t put them away so no need for too many harsh decisions. Twenty minutes in Turra gets ahead after I award a pretty soft free kick just outside the box. A slight stirring in my shorts as I blow my whistle and run back to half-way. Better not get ahead of myself Just before half-time Brooklyn gets a lucky break when a shot from Finnigan is deflected by a Turra defender into the net. All the better – now their spirits will be restored and I’ll have 45 minutes in which to destroy them. Twenty minutes in to the second half and I seize my chance like a falcon swooping on its prey. Turra plays a through ball with an attacker in an obvious offside position and then they score. Thankfully, the home team’s linesman dutifully keeps his flag down. I would have ignored it anyway as it would have made Brooklyn’s bleating all the more raucous. As it’s music to my ears I let them vent their spleens before giving midfielder McGhee a ten-minute rest for dissent. Again, Brooklyn’s resilience shows no sign of abating and they play even better after this adversity. Morrow is rugby tackled in the Turra box but did I see it? No of course not. Eventually, I allow McGhee to return and soon he finds Morrow, the fleet-footed striker makes room for himself at the edge of the box and evens the score. I can’t find a reason to deny that one but I effortlessly continue to make decisions that drive Brooklyn mad, culminating in their skipper Hughes, who is running the line, lecturing me in shrill schoolteacher tones about my bias. Oh, the joy as I pulled that yellow card out and he threw the flag down in a dummy spit worthy of a pre-schooler. Mwhahahahaha!!! Unfortunately, the cunning captain then brought back Botting and placed him at striker. This had immediate unforeseen effects as the burly bearded one belted one in from outside the box after a couple of deft touches. Brooklyn 3-2 ahead with only ten to go. A couple of more yellow cards to Brooklyn just to keep them on edge then, thankfully Turra answered my prayers and mounted an attack into Brooklyn’s box. An obvious handball by one of their forwards I nonchalantly waved away (while chuckling inside). How sweet it was when defender Reischl raised his hand to appeal this obvious oversight and as play continued the ball passed by his arm before creaming his incredulous face. I didn’t need the linesman to raise his flag for this fictional foul but it just added more drama to the scene as I unhesitatingly pointed to the penalty spot. With butterflies in my stomach I awaited the spot-kick. The feelings of relief, elation and further stirrings in my nether regions I could barely contain as keeper Conroy was given no chance. And then an encore of the white and red symphony of whingeing and wailing as we returned to half-way. Mwhahahahaha!!! Brooklyn again regrouped and mounted more attacks, the ultimate one finding Maitland unmarked on the left side of the box. What a perfect time to prematurely blow the final whistle generating another chorus of cat-calling which continued as the Brooklyn boneheads stomped off and blubbed into their beers. Not the result I wanted but near enough to stymie their aspirations and still five games left into which I can expand my evil enterprise and further frustrate those fools. Mwhahahahaha!!! Mwhahahahaha!!!
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| Report - Aug 22 Mens-O35 vs Berowra , Result: 4 - 3 Win |
Having a large chunk of memory removed hours after the game at various venues, I'll do my best to recreate the undoing of the competition leaders. On a sunny but cold Brooky afternoon the boys had revenge on their mind for a second week in a row. A full team with 4 reserves took control of the game from the start and things were looking good until Berowra gained possession and spotted the Catfish digging for witchity grubs and deftly lobbed one over his head. Not to be denied, minutes later the gut pushed forward and Dane made no mistake with a well taken goal. The game became a battlefield of attack and defence until again the opposition went a goal up again which left the score at 2-1 at half time. The gut returned to the field with the wind behind them and running to the Shirl Pavilion end full of confidence. What happened next goes down in Gut history. After constant raids on the Berowra defence, Troy drifted a beautiful corner to find the side foot of Jimmy and all of a sudden it was all square. The Maroons were in panic mode as Dane gathered the ball some 30 metres out, beating 2 or 3 players and hitting what might just be the goal of the year. Even some of the opposition were clapping. 3-2 to the gut and in complete control when Dean iced the cake with a left foot sizzler. Yes I said Dean. Last time he scored he had long golden hair and A flock of seagulls were on top of the charts! Well done Deano! If this wasn't enough entertainment for the WAGS AND ASSORTED FANS, in the dying seconds Berowra made a rare sortie into the gut's defence only to be reduced to a pile on the ground after a Mal Cuppy Meninga cover tackle 2 metres outside the box, which resulted in a penalty given by the short sighted ref. It was duly converted and the full time whistle blew for back slapping and drinks to follow. It's exciting to see the energy and class of the new youth infused with the guile of the ageing. I think we're all enjoying this season immensely and that was demonstrated in style at the Anglers Rest where beverage and braggadocio flowed liberally. Well done lads!!!
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| Report - Aug 15 Mens-O35 vs Prouille , Result: 5 - 2 Win |
"Substitutes! Substitutes! My Coopers for some substitutes!" This was the vain plea from Captain Pedro as his undermanned crew lay dying on Brooklyn Field, slaughtered by 5-0 by the black and white horde in the first round on July 11. However, on the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Pacific, no press gang was required with 16 hands (including a recovered Leading Semen Dangar Stu) turning up at a boggy George Christie with revenge on their minds. With wind in their sails, Brooklyn was first rate from early on launching a number of salvos, the most impressive of which was Kane's warning shot across the Prouille deck from 25 metres. Subsequently, Midshipman Mark reinvigorated his quest for the Golden Boot when he stabbed one away from close quarters Gunner Dane answered his challenge for this campaign victory spoil soon after and The Gut went to the interval in hostilities 2-0 up. This lead was further extended shortly after re-engagement when Jimmy nodded in Troy's pinpoint cross from a metre out a distance from which he even he can't miss. Brooky then drifted into the doldrums and let one in and it looked touch and go at 3-1, particularly with Chief Petty Officer Jeff going overboard (with a head wound inflicted by a Prouille attacker in contravention of the articles of war), his position at the stern was bravely adopted by Seaman Wade who ably kept a weather eye. This wake-up call, akin to the Japs' alarming mini sub attack on our fair harbour in '42, prompted clearing of the decks and battening down of the hatches. Pete and Cuppy at the helm engineered various tacking manouvres, resulting in successful broadsides from Pedro and, like a ghost from the past, Lieutenant Troy who displayed attacking skills that he seemed to have left on the dock many moons before. Prior to its vessel sinking into the briny, Prouille's canons did a little more damage to HMAS Brooklyn at the death but no casualties were recorded. The captain ordered an extra ration of grog for all hands, some of whom undoubtedly would have been under the weather by nightfall.
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| Report - Aug 08 Mens-O35 vs West Pymble , Result: 2 - 4 Loss |
After the perfect conditions of the previous round - artificial pitch, dry, balmy weather and a very good ref - Brooklyn's convincing win prompted Captain Pedro to announce that the team would win every game until the end of the season. This hubristic prediction meant the Gut wasn't mentally prepared for a reversal of circumstances and consequently played well below par. They scrambled to stay in the game with goals to Paul, who first-time curled the ball under the bar from a considerable distance after beating Wests' superbly fit left back to a feed out from the keeper; and Jimmy whose energy and persistence in the box was rewarded after lead up work by Troy. However, these weren't enough to save the day and the gloomy conditions matched our boys' mood. Kiddies in the vicinity of Brooklyn's post-match conversations would have added plenty of 'colourful' adjectives and nouns to their vocabulary as players spent much of the warm down describing the inadequacies of the match official.
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| Report - Aug 01 Mens-O35 vs North Sydney , Result: 4 - 2 Win |
For this clash, the boys had to undertake the long haul to the lower north shore but were rewarded for their efforts with a pristine all-weather pitch and spring-like conditions. They rewarded themselves early in the game too when carpenter Dane Morrow (measure twice – pass once) cornered to Jimmy; the 2019 golden booter volleying the ball over the line before the desperate keeper could parry out to play. Kane Botting and Luke Hunter ran on for the first time mid-way through the half and slotted in nicely; Botting’s composure remarkable given that a nefarious Northbridge nanna had tried to nobble him on the way to the ground. Soon after this, Dane celebrated his last day as a 36-year-old with another well-driven right footer from near the edge of the box that gave the keeper no chance. Despite this territorial and possession superiority a backline mix-up allowed Norths a goal before the break and dreams of a clean sheet were again just that. Mostly though Brookie defence was calm and composed, exemplified by Bob's shielding of the ball near the by-line then sucking a free kick out of the opposition striker who gave him the lightest of touches on the back. Brookie continued its dominance of the game in the second half with Jeff cleaning up any opposition threats with his patrolling of the box. The boys went 3-1 up when Dane helped himself to another, but Norths hit back when again there was defensive disorder. However, any nervousness the Gut’s troop of traveling fans had that the boys could hold on were assuaged when Jimmy matched Dane’s double with a left-foot artificial grass burner after cutting in from the right and victory was sealed. Topics discussed over post-match refreshments included the complexities of the golden boot “equation,” the correct distance someone sitting in a sea-eagles chair should be from the rest of the team (about 100 metres regarded as a minimum) and how many players could later fit in Reischl’s spa and the manner in which this could be maximised.
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| Report - Jul 18 Mens-O35 vs Berowra , Result: 4 - 5 Loss |
Starting with only nine players, The Gut got off to a competitive start in this local derby despite the numeric disadvantage. Eventually, despite the arrival of reinforcements, Brookie fell behind but on both occasions hit back to even the score. The first goal was a cracker of a header from Jimmy when a cross from the right found him timing his run into the box perfectly. The second equaliser was a another of Dane's long-distance speculators the previous half dozen attempts having no effect but this one must have had a special spin that confounded the keeper into letting in what looked like an easy pick up. Mark Reischl then tried to emulate Morrow with a thunderbolt from 30 metres but the ball hit the crossbar denying Brookie the lead (later inspection revealed that there was a noticeable droop in the crossbar bringing it below the regulated 8 feet/2.44 metres. Surely this denial of justice will be top item on the agenda at the NSFA board's next meeting?). Anyway, finding themselves at 2-2 at the break, the boys were optimistic about the second half but soon found themselves behind due to lax marking by the backs who were over zealous in their interpretation of the 1.5 metre COVID rule making it look more like 15 metres. This and repeated failure to clear their lines allowed Berowra to pile on three unanswered goals. One of the goals saw Jimmy repeat his trick on the same spot last season of deftly deflecting a free kick from outside the box past despairing keeper Jeff who again had the shot well covered. With twenty or so to go Brookie woke up and persistent hard work and pinpoint passing by halves Pete and Marc gave Dane the chance to bamboozle the defence inside the box with a couple of turns before finding enough room to belt the ball wide of the keeper. Soon after the score was 4-5 when Dane released Jimmy down the left side. Stratton carved the defence on the left by-line finding Mark waiting for an easy tap in from the six-yard box. Brooklyn's resurgence had Berowra worried prompting their striker, the mercurial Speedy Gonzalez, to remark "you bastards never give up do you?" However, the never-say-die spirit wasn't enough with any chance of a draw being annulled by being reduced to ten men in the last five minutes.
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| Report - Jul 11 Mens-O35 vs Prouille , Result: 0 - 5 Loss |
With four of the young guns absent for this game, the captain remarked that the average age of the pre-match line up had jumped some ten years. However, subsequent analysis by BUSC statisticians revealed an increase of only 3.31 years (from 46.94 to 50.25), the real problem being lack of subs and the fact two players were playing on one leg. Despite this, The Gut did most of the attacking and had the better chances in the first half which finished 0-0. Things fell apart after the break with the visitors bagging a couple of early lucky breakaway goals. The Gut continued to press and played the more attractive brand of football with the final shot either going just astray or being blocked by a wall of defenders. This commitment to attack and its wish to entertain the small but ardent crowd at the Shirl Singleton shed end of the ground meant that Prouille could continue with its predictable counterattacking tactics which netted them a few more, one such movement resulting in Dean getting injured further denting Brookie's hopes of a comeback. Despite this, resolute defenders Greg Upfold and Scotty Ryan never gave up and played out of their skins to prevent a complete drubbing. Even thrashings have a lighter side and comic highlight of the game was Pedro's attempt to convince ref Butcher that he deserved a penalty. His acting was so poor that any call for him to return to the stage in his next Theatre in the Park production would be rapidly drowned out by howls of derision by anyone present at this game.
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| Report - Jul 04 Mens-O35 vs West Pymble , Result: 4 - 2 Win |
After a 10 month hiatus football finally returned to that field of dreams, Brooklyn Oval. After a pretty dismal 2019 season in which it struggled for numbers, off-season recruitment saw The Gut was bolstered by a new suite of players graduating from the junior ranks, inlcuidng Marc Maitland, son of left footed legend Butcher, plus the return of the dapper Dangarite, Steve Griffiths. Blessed with a surfeit of players, player manager Burcher and captain-coach Pedro Hughes commenced the match on the subs bench to see what would unfold. What they witnessed was the Gut's superior skill, fitness and despite the new mix, organisation, completely overwhelm the opposition. Eventually, territorial superiority was reflected on the scoreboard when Jimmy laid a slide rule pass off to Dane in space on the right. Morrow's fist time hit from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance as it sailed into the top corner. Soon after Andre set Pedro up for a one-on-one with the keeper. Renowned for his good manners, Hughes gave the No.1 a bite at his first attempt on goal but when the parry landed at his feet no such mercy was afforded and Brooklyn was two up. Shortly before half-time another goal was added when the manager managed a masterful corner kick that Dane dummied allowing it to land at Jimmy's feet. Often crippled by too many choices when in front of goal, this time he had no time to think, and accordingly drove it home convicingly. The second half proceeded in much the same manner, the only Brooklyn goal being scored by debutante Mark Reischl breaking his seven-season Brooklyn duck when, after his perfectly timed run into the box, he vigorously headed in Pedro's well-weighted cross from the right. Again Brooklyn's The Entertainers philosophy with its concentration on attack left it open at the back and Wests got another consolation goal but the lack of a clean sheet did nothing to dampen the spirits and, as usual regardless of the result, post-match convivialities ensued.
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