Round 13: 22nd January 2002 vs. Athletico Large

Match report by Alan Clark

Momentous Occasion at Uni High

MELBOURNE 23 January 2002 - THE SMALL BUT appreciative crowd gathered at University High watched on as EDO celebrated a magnificent victory in the 13th Round of the 4th Division summer season indoor last night.

Speaking after the game, a tired but exuberant Matt Curtis indicated this could be a new beginning for EDO. "This could be a new beginning for EDO," he said.

EDO's tacticians had to factor in playing under entirely unfamiliar circumstances - being in the lead and never surrendering it, running out winners 5-3 after being well in control at the break.

Stand-in goalkeeper Rico told reporters after the game he'd never seen such a fluent team approach in a very long time. "I'd never seen such a fluent team approach in a very long time," he said.

Rico became temporary custodian after usual goalkeeper Graham Loosmore needed a break from the duties after suffering head and hand injuries in recent EDO games, allowing Loosmore to play an outfield attacking role. Although Loosmore didn't score for EDO, he played a number of passes at key parts of the game which resulted in goals for EDO. "I didn't score, but I played a number of passes at key parts of the game which resulted in goals for EDO," he said.

Grabbing all the goals between them were forwards Luis Rojas and Paul Holland. There's an amazing understanding between them and they mesmerised their opponents throughout. The modest Rojas told reporters after the game that he was happy just to be a part of the EDO, set-up and was glad he was able to make a contribution. "I'm happy just to be a part of the EDO set-up, and glad I was able to make a contribution," he said.

Holland - who had scored a controversial goal in the first-half which some of his opponents felt had entered the goal through the side-netting - rejected claims that the goal was not good, and saying he'd have admitted it wasn't a goal if it wasn't. "I reject claims that the goal was not good," he said. "I'd have admitted it wasn't a goal if it wasn't."

Aged defender Alan Clark had seen EDO in a number of line-ups in his short time as a member of the team, but was lost for words after the game, such was his joy at being part of a winning EDO team. "I'm lost for words," he said after the game. "But I'm overjoyed at being part of a winning EDO team."

EDO will be looking to extend its unbeaten run in next week's encounter, but Curtis was keeping his side's ambitions under control. "We're just taking it a week at a time," he said.

Match Summary:

Played at University High gymnasium, Tuesday 22 January 2002, 10:40pm.
Attendance: 6
EDO 1776 FC: 5 (Rojas 3, Holland 2)
Athletico Large: 3
Pitch conditions: dry