User:Alrin/Sandbox2

The 2009 Jun-Oct Thursday Men's Soccer Division B season, hosted by OZSPORTS.

Regular Season
Substitutes, after going undefeated through the previous regular season and capturing their maiden championship, were required to undertake grading for possible promotion to a higher division. Their first match was against the B Division champions, Perfect Pair. Substitutes fought hard to take a 3-2 lead into the halftime break, only to see that lead dissolve with 10 minutes remaining. Perfect Pair would go on to score 4 unanswered goals in the final quarter to win the match 3-6.

In their second preseason match, Substitutes took on newcomers, Cascade Cougars. With captain Andy Blyth overseas, and strikers Andrew Menon and Adam Lipinski also unavailable, Substitutes found themselves without any substitutes of their own for the match. Dean Wilkinson, Brent's father, stepped forward and offered the lads a much needed reserve, allowing for a one-man rotation throughout the game. Substitutes started well, opening the scoring through Brent Wilkinson, but were unable to assert dominance in the first half, going in 4-all at the break. In spite of tiring legs, the team came out with a stronger effort in the second stanza, eventually securing a comfortable victory, 14-7.

With Andy Blyth joined overseas by Andrew Menon, and Brent Wilkinson a late arrival, Substitutes found themselves starting with no reserves for the second week running. Dean Wilkinson once again stepped in early until son Brent arrived. Substitutes ran out to an early lead, going into the halftime break up 4-1. Crusty Crew struck back in the opening minute of the second half before displaying a commanding defensive performance, keeping Substitutes penned within their own end for much of the remainder of the game. With exhaustion setting in, Substitutes held on for a 6-6 draw.

In the final week of their preseason Substitutes came up against relegated A-Division side, Banshees. Again playing with depleted ranks the team fought hard to trail 5-8 at the half-time break, despite losing star striker Brent Wilkinson to an ankle injury midway through the half. The lack of reserves was telling in the second half as Banshees piled on the points, and despite the courageous return of Wilkinson late in the half the result was a forgone conclusion.

Despite going 1-2-1 during their trial matches Substitutes displayed enough tenacity, particularly in the face of three weeks undermanned, to warrant promotion to a higher league, earning a place in B-Division for the new season.

Substitutes opened their regular season campaign against reigning division champions, Perfect Pair. Despite a solid start, holding their opposition to a 2-2 draw, the now-expected lack of reserves saw the team quickly tire and when Nick Whitbread was heavily injured shortly before the break, limiting the team to just four players, the game slipped out of reach. Despite a valiant return by Whitbread in the second half, along with inspiring efforts from captain Andy Blyth, just days out of hospital, and striker Brent Wilkinson, himself carrying a niggling ankle injury, Perfect Pair ran away with the match, the final scoreline a false indication of how close the game had started out.