Saturday 28 May
OXSC 0 - Mitcham 1
Richie Cunningham Stadium

OXSC – Pessina, Corsi, Longo, Lombardi, Robilotta, Cunningham, Vittadello, P De Luca, Passarella, A De Luca, Bramante (Ventoruzzo, Ubaldi, Blazincic)

It was a big week for the OXSC … fashionwise. The changerooms were abuzz before the game, not with news of Adrian Ubaldi’s return from injury or even Simon Ventoruzzo’s appearance a full hour before the scheduled kick-off time, but with developments that I’m sure will send pulses racing in the VSF soccer forum website.

Richie Cunningham had finally decided to invest some his hard-earned scoring bonus (and funds from his guest appearance at the Happy Days reunion earlier this month) on a pair of shinpads which would finally comply with league rules. Referees all around the league have welcomed the move saying it was long overdue and may actually improve his scoring output. This correspondent suggests returning to the old favourites because the new ones did nothing to improve the luck of the OXSC in season 2005.

However, the major talking point was Corporate Andrew’s haircut. His advisers have asked oxsc.com to refrain from referring to him as Vitta as this in direct contrast to Corporate Andrew’s new image. His new look comes straight out of the Daniel Passarella handbook. Football aficionados will remember the Argentine manager issuing a ‘cut your hair or you’re dropped’ ultimatum to such stars as Batistuta, Redondo and Almeyda. Fernando Redondo famously refused and never played for the national team again. We’re still not sure if Coach Fausto had a hand in the final decision … although we’re told Evan and Joe in the Pirates are very nervous about the fate of their famous weaves. Corporate Andrew’s famous range of shoe lace hair ties are now available for bidding e-Bay, rumours are that Joe Sette is preparing a multi-million dollar offer to supplement his own personal collection of headwear.

As always, Gianni Bramante and Anthony De Luca contested for the title of chief fashionista before the game. The G Train brought out his dazzling white boots after refusing to use them (or any other kind) on Thursday night but A De Luca once again trumped everyone with his choice of shorts. Almost everyone is wearing the approved OXSC version this season (quick reminder to Simon to ditch those tennis shorts), but the captain decided to place an order with his new apparel sponsor and wear a personalised pair with SUPERSTAR emblazoned upon the front. We think he was fully supported by his team-mates, but it was difficult to tell amidst all the raucous pre-game laughter.

Before this turns into a Pirates match report (cheap shot at Rick – sorry mate, we really do love them), we better get back to at least attempting to describe some of the events within the game.

Mitcham had taken the field as the leading team in the division, with the reputation of being hard to break down and remaining committed to every tackle. The ensuing 90 minutes not only proved this to be the case but also gave the OXSC a chance to prove themselves against the ladder leaders. According to neutral observers (and by this we mean the referee), the OXSC probably did enough to earn a draw but walked away with a narrow 1-0 loss from a wonder-goal in the first half. In a period of play which probably reflects the course of the OXSC season, Anthony De Luca had volleyed against the crossbar from 10 yards, capping a sustained period of OXSC pressure. Mitcham advanced down the wing uncontested and the speculative shot from distance flew in off a post and into the corner of the net. However, the balance of play was with the OXSC and the chances continued to flow with both Longo and Corsi pouring forward. Corporate Andrew put a header wide and a Richie Cunningham cross was almost converted by Alex Passarella. Unfortunately, the Mitcham keeper produced a stunning save and preserved his side’s lead at the break. Anthony De Luca and Daniel Lombardi were both felled in off the ball incidents but no action was taken. Bartos attempted to gain some retribution but was swiftly discouraged from doing so, first by the referee and then his team-mates.

The second half produced another solid attacking effort from the OXSC with the elusive equaliser not forthcoming. The defence played a tight half with only 2 chances on the goal from Matt Pessina, one denied by a desperate lunge defensive lunge from 3 OXSC defenders. Passarella continued to probe and take on the Mitcham defence with one his crosses just eluding the head of Peter De Luca. Vittadello and Cunningham contributed well in their narrower roles whilst A De Luca had 2 shots on goal which sailed narrowly over the crossbar. The best chance probably fell to Bramante who fired across the face of goal but it just eluded Daniel Robilotta at the far post.

All the positive signs counted for nought as the referee signalled the end of the game and another narrow OXSC loss. The team proved its capacity to match any team in the upper reaches of the league and now travel to the home ground of Dandenong Warriors (aka Inter) eager for a win.