Ridgebacks Have Last Bark

LPFC U21's played out an entertaining two-all draw against an old foe and current league-leaders in the shape of Barden Ridge 2. A deftly placed finish from Alex Poulos and an own goal were enough to secure a potentially vital away point for the East Shire side.

Pilli's intentions were starkly obvious from kick-off - jumping head first into a game they knew held high importance. All was well until eight minutes in where, as much as it appeared Pilli were in control, a momentary lapse in concentration from the left side of defence was seized upon by Ridge. A sharp through ball was fed to the now appropriately nicknamed 'Guy who runs fast', who pounced onto the ball like Kurtis Thompson on women, placing the ball to Clayden's near post after apparent miscommunication between Fynn and his keeper, to give Ridge the opener.

Ridges' celebrations proved to be short-lived, with Pilli level within ten minutes of their opener. Now, the following goal possibly has two versions - one about Matthew Burg lofting in a spectacular corner, harnessing the almighty winds' power to guide the ball with incredible ease into the top left corner...or the one where some guy scored a goal against his own team. We will stick with the first one....So yeah, Pilli's second goal came about when Matthew Burg lofted in a spectacular corner, harnessing the almighty winds' power to guide the ball with incredible ease into the top left corner.

Not far from half time Pilli completed a move which would have produced a rather strong jealousy-related orgasm from each and every Barcelona player. Pilli spread the ball beautifully from the left wing, across the backline and then up the right wing where diminutive winger Squeak and macho man Damien Fonseca played a succession of rapid one-touch passes, only for the final through ball directed at almighty wind-controller Burg to be called offside.

All the while, Pilli suffered three successive injuries, losing lanky defender Jackson Versitano to a suspected hamstring-related injury and midfield playmakers Jacob Healey and Matthew Phipps to ankle sprains. The former of two which seemed to be less serious as the players were later subsituted back on.

The second half whistle brought about a sense of increased urgency for both squads. As the half progressed it became more apparent that Pilli were dominating an increasingly tiring Ridgeback side. Channels started to open up, which saw an increase in fluidity of Pilli's passing game, primarily around the centre of the pitch. Midfield maestro Healey showed little signs of his injury as he constantly won possession and fed his runners. Captain and winger Stephen Foldi did well along the left side - always keeping the defenders on their toes and providing crosses. Goalscorer Burg and sex symbol Fonseca developed a deep understanding of each other and hence often exchanged a few neat passes. Daniel Fletcher proved handy in his now well known ability to hold up the ball in the centre park, adding to the tidiness of Pilli's counter attack. 'Keeper Will 'Schwarzer' Clayden (yes his nickname did get worse) also pulled of a couple of great saves. Though, it was not any of these players who broke the dead lock.

Previously a quiet figure in the game, Alex Poulos emerged from the shadows to hand Pilli a well deserved lead - brushing away critisicm of the morality of having particularly crazy night out beforehand (a.k.a. strip club, getting lap dances cause he's so famous and shit). An ever present Healey fed a well-endowed Fonseca through on the wing with a pin-point pass. Fonseca then spotted a sprinting Poulos midfield, took a few strides and sent a curling ball straight to his teammate who was now on the edge of the box. With still a significant amount of work to do the forward proceeded to leave Ridge defenders in his wake and slot the ball calmly into the old onion bag (note: ESPN's soccernet presspass' Tommy 'I-want-to-punch-him-in-the-face-because-of-his-annoying-Scottish/Irish-voice' Smith). Pilli 2, Ridge 1.

The game was not over yet as Ridge began piling players up front to try and secure a point and an unlikely victory. About ten minutes from time the unthinkable happened - a long-range shot (other than that of a Pilli player) in the 21D's actually went in. There was some controversy as whether the ball went in (lol) as it shot downwards off the crossbar and onto the line. Costa received his first yellow of the season as a result, an uneccessary one at that as video replays did, unfortunate as it is, prove the ball went in (lol). So, back to square one. The last ten minutes proved to be nothing spectacular except for an odd, yet arousing (for the females) event where Fonseca was seen grating parmesan cheese on his abs in preparation for dinner.

Though it is still early on in the season Pilli will have left feeling minorly aggreived for what seemed a game they should've won. Pilli's next fixture pits them up against Miranda Magpies 1 at home at 1:20pm. Ok it's f***king 12:20am and I have uni tomorrow.

Oh, and we're going to need extra Butter Menthols for Kurtis too.

Report: Inter-squad Rivalries Emerge

Reports have surfaced of a tiff between the defensive & attacking forces of Pilli's U21's. It is alleged that during a recent training session the squads midfield partially blamed the defence for their display, or lack of, in the 2-0 loss against the Georges River Tigers last Saturday.

Defender Daniel Costa recently confirmed reports of the occurance - 'Yes it is true that the midfield blasted the defense about last week'.

Costa then proceeded to give the midfield a 'taste of their own medicine', telling them to 'grow some balls and blame themselves' claiming that the defense 'kept the game [score] reasonable'.

It remains to be seen how the squad and coach Dan Andersson will react to Costa's rather public outburst, though rumors have surfaced that his comments have elicited a positive response from his teammates - turning the incident into a potentially friendly rivalry. Fans have also commented on how the incident simply displays the team's passion and determination to improve. Pilli U21's are scheduled to play Barden Ridgebacks tomorrow at 3:10pm at The Ridge 3.

Players Reveal True Emotions

In a statement issued earlier today several Pilli players shocked the world by announcing the following:

"I love Liverpool FC. They are the better team on merseyside. Better than Everton FC. Their reserve, youth and womens team are even better than that of Everton's first team." - William Clayden

"I am in agreeance with William Clayden, he will never walk alone" - Daniel Fletcher

"I am jewish, as is Tottenham" - Daniel Costa

"I believe my lengthy hair makes me more msaculine and Antonio-Banderas-like" - Jacob 'junior ronaldhino' Healey

"As of the end of this years premier league season I will not be able to participate in any conversations remotely having anything to do with the English Premier League" - Jackson Versitano

"I am Irish" - Michael Treacey

"I make good sausage sandwhices and tandoori chicken on the barbie" - Matthew Phipps

"I never had any 'family' events to go to. I just dislike the team and missed all those training sessions on purpose." - Alex Poulos

"I am a man whore" - Kurtis Thompson

"I go to UNSW, hence those that attend USYD are more superior than me" - Daniel Fynn

"I'm with Daniel Fynn on this one, but replace UNSW with UTS instead" - Paul Clarke

"Damien Fonseca is better than physics than me" - Matthew Burg

"I can handle two beers now and am currently dating the club vice presidents daughter for the sole benefit of the team" - Stephen Foldi

"The subs in my car are weak" - Daniel 'squeak' Psarras

"L3K 5Hu" - Samuel Saad

"I feel more comfortable playing with the Sutherland Titans" - Nicholas Mellios

Tigers Two Good for Stunned Berries

On a day where the mercury leant closer to summer rather than autumn, Pilli's U21's tasted defeat for only the second time in over 20 matches against a fierce Tigers side, losing 2-0.

Fresh from a convincing 3-1 win the previous match, it seemed Pilli were expecting an easy win in front of a near full capacity Berrie Dome (30 people). It was this complacency which set the stage for an energetic Tiger's performance.

The first half began poorly as both teams struggled to find their respective rhythms - with the ball being tossed around as loosely as...

As the half progressed both teams lifted and let fly a few shots on goal, only one of which really tested Clayden who pulled of a fine diving save to tip the ball around the post. The first real chance of the match came when Pilli striker Alex Poulos was threaded through by a perfectly weighted Healey pass, only to scuff his shot wide; albeit off the post...(or off Disco Stu's [their 'keeper] massive afro). The days' heat then began taking its toll on both teams, though it appeared more evident in Pilli's players - the Tigers retaining their suprising aggressivness and hunger for the ball as the whistle blew for half time.

The second half proved to be Pilli's downfall as they conceded the only two goals of the match (wtf). It soon became apparent the squads defence lacked their usual sturdiness as the midfield became guilty of not falling back to support their teamates. Both goals were due to poor defending and were close to impossible to save, even for Pilli's acrobatic Will 'Pepe Reina' Clayden.

Pilli winger/defender Michael Treacey played well throughout the game, earning the man of the match award (rub 'n' tug massage voiucher) for his efforts, and for filling in for the absent Jackson Versitano. Centre back Kurtis Thompson also fought well, making a few critical interceptions, while Poulos was unlucky after striking the post twice and almost a third time. Healey yet again impressed, making various darting runs - only to fall short of the final turn. Fonseca's (this guy is one to look out for ladies, tall, slim, dark and certainly handsome [just facebook me]) aggression and commitment showed heart while centre mid Matthew Phipps again continued his position as playmaker with a solid performance.

Although the match can still be seen as an unlucky loss for Pilli, it should also should be maintained as an eye opener as to the standard of this years competition. A massive fixture up against competition leaders Barden Ridge follows next week, (trek), a match where Pilli will be sure to head in with an appropriate attitude and determination.