The last three weeks have been quite eventful for our St Pats but I’ll be amazed if I can remember much of it.

Well I don’t remember the state cup at all, did we play? Doesn’t seem like it. I am sure that Green Acre didn’t notice we were even on the park. As Phil said in his report, "lets pretend it never happened". These weeks also included wins over Riverstone and Rooty Hill. Both games where we didn’t play particularly well but we seemed to come away with victories. Great Goals were scored in both games particularly Phil’s 20 yard top corner screamer in the Riverstone game. Riverstones goal was also mentionable as it made me look like a flying octopus trying to swat a fly that has landed on my nose (octopus’ used to have nose’s you know, then they lost them in evolution, or so TV tells me). It was hit from far out and disappeared into the sun. It was a pity to concede a goal as we hadn’t conceded one since the opening day of the season.

Since my last column we have also gained 3 new players. Christian is back from a short-lived self-imposed exile. So everyone get prepared to be screamed and yelled at again. We probably do lack a constant vocal presence and should benefit from his return. Tim has come back from last year and is now playing keeper for reserves. So no more two games a week for me, I guess this is a good thing. And thirdly we have another good midfielder in Brian, to take our total of quality midfielders to 1000000. Competition for places can only produce good quality and/or fights. Lets hope for the former.

The real story of the last few weeks was our top of the table clash with Marayong. Marayong have been the only team to defeat us this year in the first game of the season. We approached this game a little worried and well it turned out there was no need for this worry as we ended up winning 7 – 0. Very surprising. It was one nil at half time everything seemed to be going to plan for us the possession was fairly even with both teams applying some pressure to each others goals, admittedly I only had one rather tame shot to save. Then after half time the proverbial flood gates opened up. The goals started pouring in as I stood back and watched. I am getting quite good at sitting back and watching our defense is wonderful this year. I find myself wishing that they would let someone through occasionally to give me something to do. The fact that we have only 4 goals against this year (3 coming in the one game) is a testament to this defence. Again I will try not to talk too much about this game as I am sure Phil will cover it very extensively in his match reports.

The confederation cup seems to be going rather well for our boys in Korea. I was sitting in a pub on the central coast when the result flashed up on a TV screen (I had been trying to hold out from the result until SBS finally showed the game the next day, I keep failing miserably). When I saw the result I was incredibly happy, my Australian soccer supporting life has been filled with far too many disappointments. Being there in Melbourne in ’97 was a wonderful/terrible experience. Even if beating France in the confed cup isn’t everything it is still something good. Something to give hope for success in November.

How depressing is it to have no premier league now? It’s Monday and there is no highlights show on. I will probably be in bed 4 oclock weekday mornings with no games on Fox. How strange, at least we are now playing soccer to provide a bit of a fix. Internationals are good but there is just not enough of them. My friends and I are soccer tragics really, but isn’t it fun.

Phillip Wood and I were victorious last night in our Basketball grand final, against the evil (and sneakily friendly) Team Larabee. We did it with only 5 players all year, we ended the semi and grand final with only 3 on the court. Hearts of Gold! as our captain David would say. Now we all have generic shiny trophies, they could at least put our names on them. Soccer Coach Al will be happy that it’s over, he really hates Basketball.

One thing that may prove a problem at our club is injuries, we have players dropping left, right and centre. I myself pulled a hamstring while pacing aimlessly around the 18 yard box. Luckily we have a lot of players to cover. This point proven when we weren’t out against Marayong with a very changed starting 11 and managed to win 7 – 0.

We are sitting pretty on top of the table now 4 point clear, though doonside have a game in hand on us. Doonside would have to beat Quakers 14 – 0 to take over first place. I guess stranger things have happened but not many. Reserves are also on top of their table so all in all St Pats are flying high. Billy Borg must be very happy.

I know I haven’t mentioned the reserves much, I am sorry reserves but its hard when I don’t play in the games, perhaps one of your number could write a column? Greg? Martin? Someone? (Well done toots in the reserves for your 3rd hatrick in a row, haven’t seen that since, well Paabo last year).

Looking forward to Doonside this week, once we beat them (hopefully) then perhaps we will have proven ourselves as true contenders for this title. Lets go patties for the prems reserves double.

Thomas