No Glory on Final Matchday

Today was the conclusion of the 2022-23 Isuzu Ute A-League (What a mouthful!) for Perth Glory and also Western United as both teams failed to mount any serious threat for finals football. While Perth have been dreadful over the past few seasons since the departure of Tony Popovic, the continuation of Tony Sage's antics and simply the continual dreadful performances, it was somewhat of a surprise that Perth even were in this position. As for Western United, the defending champions were struggling and have been highly controversial on and off the field since their creation. Which in itself is highly controversial as they still do not have a home and the name just really rubs me up the wrong way with such a bland, generic and soulless name that does not essentially represent West Melbourne. However, I am not here to talk about Western United and to poke holes at their existence and even Perth Glory's woes on and off the field since 2020. I am here to talk about the here and now, so let us do just that my dear readers.

While Perth's slim finals chances had all but been extinguished with their last few matches being poor and not collecting the full points, with the exception of the Adelaide match where they should have held onto the three points especially due to their hard work in the second half; it would have been nice to have the home side sign off the season on a positive note and chalk up a positive result for the supporters, what is left of them.

However, this was not to be the case and Perth Glory were not able to find their feet and to mount any serious threat to the green and black men of the...west of... Melbourne, who were simply in control for the match and would not let Perth pose a serious threat, besides the odd foray into their goals but only to be comfortably dealt with by their solid defence. They opened the scoring in the 25th minute and really took the wind out of Perth's flagging sails. It was going to be a struggle from that point.

Though Perth managed to snatch one goal just prior to half time and breathed some life back into the contest and put some fire into the home side's chests. It was there and brewing that something could resonate with that moment. Though this would not be the case and the visitors had other plans to send their Italian stalwart Alessandro Diamanti into retirement on a high note with a win. Western United score their second, the match winner in the 53rd minute and the match ended, finally drawing the curtains on a rather below average Perth season, 1-2 to Western United.

Any sane or normal person would have learned from his mistakes and not repeat them. However, as this is a blog about food and beverages at football matches mainly, I have to perform my civic duty and buy something to eat and drink and report back to you all about it. I have said it once, and I will just simply have to say it yet again and again; the food quality at HBF park is dreadful. It is bland, tasteless, overpriced and poor proportionally. The meat lovers pizza, was bland and tasted like something that you would buy from Coles or Woolworths. Now that is not a problem if you were buying one of those pizzas from the supermarket. The problem is that you pay 14 dollars for something that is firstly overpriced, secondly is disappointing portion wise and thirdly tasteless. My taxes go into this VenuesWest outfit and this is what is dished out. Dreadful. 

To finish the season and to wash down the terrible pizza, a Captain Morgan mid-strength rum was required and was 12.50. If only it was full-strength and that would be a win. I didn't decide to go for a bottle of cool drink this time as I was over it all by this stage and that would have been 6 dollars anyway. That wraps up another season at Perth Glory and like a bad marriage for almost 30 years, it has been one event after the other and just blend and blurs. Though it is always a pleasure to spend time with good friends and talk over many things. Of course I will be returning for season 2023-24. I am a sucker for punishment.

Adelaide get into a Glorious Goal Fest

Perth Glory hosted Adelaide United in a rather rare HBF Park appearance for this A-League season due to the FIFA Womens World Cup being held later this year. This was caused due to renovations done to the stadium in preparations for the event. However, I struggled to see anything that had changed at HBF Park as I was curious to see where the 25 million dollars went from the Western Australian Labor government which caused such a mess about with Perth Glory and having to play virtually all their home games at Macedonia Park. A shame that I was unable to attend any of these matches due to work, family and even 'sell outs' preventing me from enjoying the games at a very cosy and loved venue. However, I have digressed and will get back on topic here ha-ha.

This is the second last home game of the season for Perth Glory and I am thankful that I have been able to see some football at least for this season as we all know the last few years have been nothing but a complete unnecessary muck around with all things sport and outside of that. With that said, it was a lovely warm Perth Autumn's afternoon with the sun bathing the eastern grandstand and the pitch. An ideal setting for some football and the drama that would unfold.

Perth were not off to a great start, with Adelaide looking threatening each time they had the ball and ventured forward into their attacking half. However, football is essentially a simple game and you just need to score goals. Perth stitched together about 5 minutes of good football and it all connected. They took the lead and it was a rather hard fought goal that indicated to the fans that despite the disruptions of the season and the weak squad and coaching abilities lacking, there was some fight in Perth and perhaps through determination, the 3 points could be locked in for the home side against third placed Adelaide.

However, this is Perth Glory we are talking about and I have been around watching this team for 25 years to know that even with a lead, they are moments away from spectacular disappointment. Within 2 minutes Adelaide levelled the score and was 1 a piece. Back to square one and it really took the wind out of Perth sails. Adelaide were in control and didn't look like giving up anything to Perth as their defence were faltering, their midfield wasn't connecting and their attacking power just wasn't firing. Then Adelaide hit lead from a Craig Goodwin strike in the 51st minute. Adelaide 2, Perth 1.

Perth were shocked and definitely were knocked about and were struggling to find their feet. Though they were building their confidence and starting to press the Adelaide defensive lines, Perth were beginning to look threatening. An Adam Taggart goal in the 60th minute had breathed new life into the contest and into Perth, firing up the small crowd and levelled at 2 all.

Perth grew in confidence and were able to move the ball around and press up and mount numerous challenges. Unfortunately they just were not able to convert threats into goals and that would prove costly as Adelaide stung them in the 78th minute from a Ryan Kitto goal. Adelaide were now 2-3 in the lead. This was a crucial blow and had rattled Perth for a few minutes where they struggled to get back on their feet. Though Perth were not going to throw in the towel and found the fire in the belly to keep pressing on to level the score.

Adam Zimarino fired in Perth's third goal and I have not seen such passion in this side in such a very long time. This levelled the scores at 3 a piece and looked like that this match would be wrapped up with a 6 goal slug-fest where it really shouldn't have even come close to this. Though what was going to unfold within the next 7 minutes would make you laugh in disbelief and stunned over the drama that would play out.

Adam Taggart found the back of the net in the 96th minute and thumped it home and the small Perth Oval crowd were over the top and sent them into delirium, Perth had finally hit the lead for only the second time of the match with only a few minutes to go, the crowd and myself included thought that this was enough to wrap up the 3 points. However, this is the A-League and Perth Glory; drama was only a moment away.

A moment of unfortunate mistakes with Perth's defensive lines faltering at the most inconvenient time gave Adelaide just a glimmer. Just that little sniff of opportunity gave them what they needed and they scored. Stunning Perth and the crowd, but stunning themselves and wrapping the scores up at 4 all in the 97th minute. What an exhaustive match and an action filled last 10 minutes of the match that had to push it into injury time. Of course now I will have to talk about the food and beverages.

I had a crispy chicken burger, now that sounds great on paper but when I got it, I was very, very disappointed. It was basically all bread, two skinny, pathetic chicken strips and the most smallest piece of tomato that melted into the bread you had no idea it was there. You would only know that it was there if you saw it. The sauce wasn't too bad and the chicken was tasty but it was just so underwhelming and sad. A total waste of 12.50, though having single fin mid strength beer to wash that down for 10.40 was nice, though full strength would have been better. Later in the match I had a vanilla coke that was 6.20. again, over 5 dollars is ridiculous but that is the silly world we live in currently with inflation.

The burger was terrible, mid strength beers are always a let down for me and an over-priced cola aside, it is always an interesting day out watching Perth. Gosh, growing up with this side is like being part of a family. You go through the highs and lows and see all their faults, warts and all. You get frustrated but then you feel proud at their hard work when it pays off. Yet again another game watching Perth and I am sure that there will be more drama in the next match. Never a dull moment.

West Is Still Best - Retaining the Shield

The 2022-23 Australian cricket season concluded in a rather bright, sunny, moderately warm and sometimes a bit balmy with a spot of rain to wrap up the Sheffield Shield season. Western Australia were defending the shield and were aiming to match their shield successes of 1997-98 and 1998-99. The challengers to this edition of the shield were the previous finalists, Victoria, hoping for an upset at the WACA Ground. Victoria had come into the finals with red hot form by winning their last five games, including beating Western Australia in Perth on the last regular match of the season. The defending champions had over the whole season maintained dominance and control with a minor hiccup against South Australia and Victoria at the back end of the season. So the stage was set for an even contest between these two teams and it was not going to be an foregone conclusion for Western Australia.

So the stage was set for a great match of cricket and it certainly was anyone's game early on. However, by the time the hosts had reached the visitor's score and then posted 315 in response, the game had shifted into Western Australia's hands. A brilliant individual effort from Ashton Turner hitting 128 and Aaron Hardie's supportive 45 in that innings had paved the way for Western Australia's defence. Despite this, Victoria would not lay down and threw all they could with two spirited batting efforts from Will Sutherland's 82 and captain Peter Handscombe's 52 made sure that Western Australia had to fight for this shield win. Though the second innings of 210 was not enough as Western Australia were set 93 runs to chase for shield victory.

It was not an easy chase, but a patient and resilient knock from Teague Wyllie and Cameron Bancroft ensured that the hosts recorded shield victory and Western Australia's 17th overall. The win has cemented the squad and the larger player group a successful season with the win and defence of the one day competition and the Perth Scorchers winning the Big Bash League back-to-back. Six trophies into the cabinet of the WACA certainly demonstrates that there is some serious talent that is coming out of the west and that they will be the team to beat for all three formats of cricket in the new 2023-24 season. Well done Western Australia and may more shield wins come their way.

As for food, I bought a Mrs Mac's plain beef pie and a 450mL bottle of Pepsi for 11 dollars. Now I think that is usually the going rate for stadium food in Perth and across the country for such food, though being stiffed on 150mLs of cool drink and paying the same price is a bit on the rough side. Though it was sufficient as cool drink, if not rapidly consumed in warm Perth conditions, tends to warm up and become rather unenjoyable to consume. A good Pepsi, Coke or any other cool drink, has to be best enjoyed ice cold or as close to it as possible. But the pie was fine and was rather tasty and enjoyable.

I also would like to say that I was supposed to watch the final, or at least one day's play with a close friend of mine who sadly passed away earlier in March. I am still shocked and deeply saddened by his departure from our mortal realm and while it is to me, being selfish, unfair. However, I have faith in the almighty and due to our bodies being far from perfect, succumb to the cruelties of our mortal fragilities. May he rest in peace and my thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and his two children. I would like to dedicate this blog entry to him and I am sure he would think that this is a load of nonsense, it is a small gesture that I can do. While this is far from Pulitzer prize winning stuff, he always enjoyed what I wrote and we would talk about all things sport between other topics having a laugh.

That concludes the season of cricket in Australia, and who knows what will be happening for next summer in Australia, or cricket for this blog. But if you have been following me for now 10 years, I love my sport and will get there where possible. Thank you WACA for another successful hosting of a shield, despite the ground a husk of what it used to be. But like our bodies over time, time waits for no man or place and the WACA has sadly needed to shift. Though the memories I have seen over the almost three decades of cricket viewing will be forever cherished and remembered with great fondness.

Scorchers shut-out resilient Renegades

Perth Scorchers hosted the Melbourne Renegades in a Big Bash League match at Optus Stadium on a warm, but not too hot evening in Perth. The weather was lovely and a great day for cricket and the stage was set for an entertaining match of T20 cricket for the 'party faithful' who after 18 months have been heavily disrupted through state government heavy-handed restrictions and requests that had almost killed off the game in Western Australia. Thankfully the game was resilient and strong enough to withstand these pressures and matches of all formats have returned. So, it was great to get out of the house and to be out there soaking in the atmosphere of a Scorchers home game.

With an impressive display from Cameron Bancroft hitting a career-best 95, staking his claim for the selectors to take notice of him for his chances to make it for the Ashes tour in June. The Scorchers posted a very defendable total of 212 hoping that this would be more than enough to secure them a home final. While the Scorchers were dominant with the ball also, an Aaron Finch 76 in his 100th match certainly caused the hosts to worry that the 212 might not be enough. Though it was not enough and the visitors fell short by 10 runs making 202.

There was some drama and controversy during the match with David Moody removed from the Scorchers bowling attack in the second over for two dangerous waist-height deliveries. The other moment was when Matt Kelly was bowling, a throw from Nick Hobson had deflected off Aaron Finch's bat and struck Kelly in the face. He was laying there from the incident motionless and the crowd had feared the worst. But after a few moments gingerly walked off the ground after being assessed and under concussion rules was subbed off and replaced by Peter Haztoglou to finish the over. 

The win secures the qualifying final spot against the Sydney Sixers and the chance to host the final if they make it past a team who is in form. As for the food, it was very nice but certainly stacks up very, very quickly price-wise which is a shame as it does place pressure on families who simply wish to take their children out to watch some cricket and to have them fed and watered.

Two small 390mL cokes were 10.90, 5.45 each. Calipo ice-creams were 4.70 and were a treat in the balmy Perth evening. That totalled 20.30 with two captain morgan cans of rum at 27.80, making it 13.90 each. While they were delicious and hit the spot after a long week and enjoying over the cricket. It would really hurt the balance if I were to have at least 3-4 of these. Food wise I had chips with butter chicken loaded fries. While that was very delicious and stadium food in Perth has improved a lot since the early days of my times watching sport of something slapped together and told to cough up the money for something rather unsatisfying are a thing of the past. It was 12 dollars and was a good portion, though in a perfect world, a little more butter chicken and yoghurt would have been nice haha!

Also purchased were 600mL bottles of Pepsi at 5.20 and popcorn chicken at 8 dollars. Rather on par with chicken chains such as KFC, Chicken Treat, Red Rooster and Oportos essentially. Therefore, no complaints there and the chicken was very nice. The drinks were what you would expect, but south of 6 dollars compared to other venues was a welcomed change. All in all no complaints in the taste department for the food, drink and ice-creams. Though it all added up and with the creeping costs of living not being checked by the powers that be, it might make people rethink spending at sporting venues and events. 

Was a great day at the cricket and always a pleasurable experience to head to Optus Stadium to watch, well anything really.

Scorchers Downgrade Hurricanes to a Mild Storm

Perth Scorchers played host again for another T20 installment of the Big Bash League at Optus Stadium with the Hobart Hurricanes hoping to bring the defending champions down a few pegs and to take away a valuable away win on a pleasant Perth summer afternoon and early evening. Hobart have been playing some decent T20 cricket and with some good form they were hoping to continue and stake their claim for finals just around the corner. However, the home side had other plans and were also wishing to continue their good form, only this time they would be instrumental in doing so, flexing their muscle in restricting the visitors. Thus showing why they are 'built tough' and why it is a difficult environment to play T20 cricket in the 'furnace'. Yes that is very cringey, but that is essentially what T20 Big Bash League cricket is all about.

Hobart batted first and were just not very comfortable out in the middle and were not given the opportunities to get their innings going. No batsman stood out individually with a few twenties but other than that there were no batsmen who caused any trouble to the Perth bowling attack. The only saving grace was that the visitors survived the twenty over and did not lose all ten wickets. They finished their innings 9 wickets for 146 runs. Then it would be Perth's turn to bat, face the music and chase down the rather gettable target.

While two wickets did fall rather early for the Scorchers, it did not look likely that they were going to fall into a heap and crumble under pressure. Aaron Hardie's 90 was instrumental alongside Josh Inglis' 53 was all that was needed to ensure the win, but also these two players' cases for national selectors for the Ashes and future tours in 2023 and the next World Test Championship cycle of 2023-25. The evening was simply all Perth with Hardie, Inglis starring with the bat and a shared all-round performance by the Scorchers with the ball.

This time round I had the fiery nachos for 14 dollars and Hazy As pale ale for 10.90. The nachos were straight forward and were rather nice. Though not as 'fiery' as I would have hoped, as Australians are not known for a bit of spice. I guess that I am different there and welcome a bit of spice when it comes to my food. Though all in all it was rather nice. The sour cream, the three cheese and the pulled beef along with the salsa was delicious and went down nicely while I was watching the Scorchers pick apart the Hurricanes during a beautiful Perth summer's afternoon. This was complimented with the pale ale, normally I am not a big fan of pale ales, though this one complimented the nachos and was highly refreshing while watching the action all unfold. Call me pedantic, I would rather the cost of the beer be either 10 or 11 dollars, not something weird like 90 cents. Though with stadiums trying to push heavily using card only and banning cash means more price creeping such as this will inevitably occur and will be hidden behind excuses such as inflation and supply chain issues etc.

Yet again another great afternoon and early evening out at Perth Stadium to watch some T20 Big Bash League cricket and Perth Scorchers continue with their good form towards the end of the season with their hopes of defending the title becoming stronger more and more as each match passes. Though we will just have to see how it all unfolds.

Brisbane Scorched as Perth turn up the Heat

Perth Scorchers again played host for another lovely evening for T20 Big Bash League cricket, this time hosting the Brisbane Heat. Was a wonderful, pleasant night for cricket where it wasn't too hot and was a very pleasant night to enjoy the Scorchers secure another win against a Brisbane wanting to prove a point and to throw down the gauntlet to the defending champions that the title defence will not be a stroll in the park. 

Brisbane batted first and were not able to get going and were stop-start during their innings but finished their 20 overs on 171 runs with 9 wickets down. While not a score to scoff at, as it is certainly a defendable total in T20 cricket, However, Perth are in some very good form that would certainly be befitting of defending champions and their chase was relatively trouble-free with the loss of only three wickets in reply. Perth Scorchers won the game with their score of 173 for the loss of three. With Cameron Bancroft and Aaron Hardie posting solid half centuries to set up the win for the home side and to further stake each of the claims to be in national selector's thoughts for who to pick for the Ashes tour in June and July over in England and possibly in future test match series' in the next World Test Championship cycle of 2023-2025.

Colin Munro of the Heat did hit a respectable 45 and a Josh Brown 34 in their innings to post a reasonable total, but with experienced heads of Andrew Tye, Matthew Kelly and Lance Morris curtailed the Heat with their wicket-taking prowess ensuring that the Heat did not post a run-away total beyond 200. Overall a solid effort from Perth and are shaping up to be red-hot favourites to defend their BBL title.

This time around for the food I had a meal of butter chicken and rice and then followed up with still the Indian flavour of lamb saagwala. This is lamb and rice essentially in a sauce like consistency. The butter chicken with rice is self-explanatory and went down a treat as always is the case with butter chicken. The lamb saagwala, while was very nice with the lamb, as I am a huge fan of lamb, just didn't quite do it for me but was very filling and while the cooler winds of the evening came through was rather warming. Both were priced at 14 dollars and the portion for the price is reasonable, though perhaps 2 dollars too much I feel. To round it off I had 600mL of Pepsi which stings at 6.20 and is 1.20 too much. 5 dollars while a lot in my humbled working class opinion, is the maximum price you should be charging patrons and going beyond that is ridiculous. With that said, a cool ice-cold drink of cool drink definitely hits the spot, especially Perth summers.

Another solid performance by the Scorchers and another good viewing experience at Optus Stadium.

Clouds Loom and Place Dampener on New Years Test

It is 2023 and another year in the Australian test cricket calendar. In recent years the first test match for the commencement of the test cricket calendar year in Australia has been in Sydney, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This match is the third and final match of the test series between Australia and South Africa. While the Australian media have been building up the series as a gargantuan arm wrestle between two historically strong cricket and test cricket sides. It has not panned out this was with crushing losses by the visitors in Brisbane and then in Melbourne to wrap up 2022. So I am here with Punctual Football Fan Senior to watch day one of this test match and hopefully can see South Africa salvage something out of the test match and hopefully some positives from a series that has not been kind to them.

The last few days in Sydney have been very sunny with the heat being in full swing. It really is summer in Sydney and the past days have been great to get out and about and enjoying what Sydney has to offer. New Year's Eve and the following day have been blessed with great weather and was hoping that this would be the case for the test match. However, Sydney had other plans and the cloudy weather and the threats of rain, were building to give our match day viewing experience a more gloomier one. While it wasn't scorching hot like the previous days, it wasn't exactly cold, more cooler and humid as the clouds bearing rain would make it a bit of a muggier affair, but not uncomfortable.

The match had started as you would have expected with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat first. While in Melbourne this was an unusual decision to not do so, that turned out to be the winning strategy. With the decision to bat first this time is by far more conventional and safer, going on what has happened in the previous two tests, this might be yet another winning strategy. I forgot to mention that the Sydney test matches, specifically day 1 of a test match is the Pink Test, in celebration of Glen McGrath's wife Simone and to raise funds for the Glen McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation. While I personally think that there are many breast cancer foundations, it is very important to maintain medical research into cancer research and other medical conditions as there are people very close to me, who have been affected by these conditions and with our donations, we can hopefully find a solution.

The hosts started well, with the loss of an early wicket being the only blemish on the Australians as they were slowly building up a total for the South Africans to chase. While the South African's were not bowling too badly, they were not taking charge and putting Australia under serious pressure. This resulted in Australia just being able to push the ball around and tick the strike over, building the total at a steady pace. Though the clouds were constantly threatening to put a halt on the day's play at any time. While the reports stated that the rain was imminent and building from 70% up to 80, 84 and then at 95%. It was just a matter of time when this would occur and if it would be sufficient to halt play and cause serious disruptions to the day's play.

Well this certainly did occur at around 2.30 in the afternoon with the umpires opting to take tea to soak up the time and hopefully not lose too much time from the rain. While the rain was not heavy, nor light, it was enough to trigger both umpires to call tea earlier and then wait if the rain eases off and allows play to resume. The rain while easing, was not enough to resume play straight away and after a bit of a delay the umpires had checked and thought that it would be time to head back out and resume play. While this was all happening, due to the clouds and how Sydney had become more and more grey. Caused the lights to be switched on in hope of helping the game resume and be sufficient to play. While I have come all this way to watch test cricket and hoping that I am able to see more, it would be unfair and difficult to see the ball in such darkened conditions. Facing any type of bowler, be it fast, slow or a spinner, the darkness of the red ball in such gloomy conditions is too troublesome. So the game was delayed for bad light and then called, thus concluding the first day with Australia on 147 for 2 wickets.

Now the food was very good, now my new me is unable to try everything at once. I did give some dishes a try and thought they were simply delicious and were an excellent compliment to the game, just a shame about the weather depriving us to see a full day's play. To start off I had butter chicken Kathi roll with coriander. Now It comes with two and they're more open and wrapped. The servings were more than enough for me and I really did struggle to eat this. However, it was just simply a delicious butter chicken delight and you just cannot go wrong with such a British-Indian classic. I had this with a can of coke and the cool refreshing taste of coke just always hits the spot for me and today at the cricket was no different. The coke was 3.50 and the butter chicken Kathi rolls were 17 dollars each. While they were delicious and a nice portion, I think that it is probably 2 dollars overpriced but all-in-all was just what I wanted to start the day's play off and also double up as my breakfast.

As the rain was starting to threaten the game, we retreated to higher and more sheltered ground. This meant that we were further up into the grandstands and had a more elevated view of the match before the rain and the poor light had put an end to the day. It was a hotdog, but an "El Loco" hotdog to be more precise. This was at 12 dollars and was quite a serving compared to a regular, run-of-the-mill hotdog you would be more familiar with. It is somewhat akin to a Brazilian hotdog, but not as crazy with an overloading of toppings. It was with cheese, tomato, salsa, jalapenos, mayonnaise, sauce, spring onion and some chilli in for good measure. The hotdog itself was nice, the bread was soft and fresh. With the toppings making the whole thing go down nicely with a bit of a kick but not too spicy. I do like very spicy food, so for me it was rather tame, but it had a bit of a kick, or 'tickle' for me to notice the jalapenos and the chilli. What a sight to watch the game, with the Sydney CBD is the backdrop and just experiencing all the flavours of the el loco and having a can of sprite to top it all off. The can was the same price as the coke and the hotdog I think was a reasonable price for a gourmet style dog.

While the weather spoiled the plans for me to watch the first day's play between two very good teams in world test cricket, to get an almost full day was satisfying enough and to have good food to go with it made it all that more enjoyable. Stadium food in Australia has really lifted their game from the old days where it was basically supermarket food with a horrendous mark-up. While it is at times a bit on the pricy side, the taste of some of these does almost make up for it. I think that the price-taste value balance is almost there, though venues will always favour the price side of things and I do not blame them. Another enjoyable day at the cricket, despite the circumstances and hopefully I shall be back again soon and do it all over again.