Support the Ball Carrier

Micheal Caine has got it right. Unless you are channeling Pele, pass, let the ball do the work.

ARRGHHH

Sometimes updating these stats on a Sunday sucks.

Tough loss Stallions - worse than last week - at least we were steamrolled then, yesterday we just capitulated. I can't believe how quickly we went from 'what an easy win this is going to be' to 'wait, we can't let this be a draw' to ' damn, we are 2 goals down'. In hindsight we/I should have pulled one of the forwards back to central mid to try to shore up the centre when we got in front, but it looked like we were going to run all over them, and then suddenly we were chasing. 

Hard to say what's going wrong - easy to look at the D and say 14 goals in 4 games ain't good (almost as many as all of last season), but blame don't rest there. We are putting ourselves under a lot of pressure, almost refusing to hold possession, play simple football and support each other. Still adjusting to the loss of Dan (and Paddy yesterday), but back to basics could be the key.

And it ain't going to get easier - next week the rampant wests who had a good win over the raiders. What a good game for us to turn the season around with though right?

Oh, yeah, nominations for Pony/Stallion here. I'm almost tempted for a split Stallion between Gus and Tom for one of the greatest goals we have ever seen from the Stallions, denied by a bad off side call. God, Pony moments galore, not so much funny ones as bad play ones.

Knowing these sorts of things are much less fun when you are losing, especially over the blog, we got special guest Jules to select the mvp points: Panda, Spencer, Aaron in that order. But you know, another week of a pretty poor team performance really.

Guess who?

In one of the most anticipated returns in Stallions history, tomorrow, answering an SOS call (umm anyone else know anyone else?), Jules (the inventor of the twizzle, the turtle, and scorer of at least 1 goal over many seasons  - I think) will be putting on the green and gold for the first time in about 3 or 4 seasons. All those screaming One Direction fans will be making their way to Frazer Park in anticipation.

If I remember correctly, Jules was the first winner of the pony of the season award. That's confidence building.

Wests lose

Or at least draw.

After a few days unable to look at results, I finally did to see that Wests had a draw with Brooklyn - and only scored a measly single goal! Something funny going on, or perhaps they are beatable. Kind of glad we ain't facing them this week with all our absentees.

Fantasy Points vs Raiders

Sometimes this ain't much fun at all.

 

Raiders
Paul
Tangihaere	60+, -2 (4 goals)	0
Jason	60+, -2 (4 goals)	0
Corey	60+, -2 (4 goals)	0
Mike B	60+, -2 (4 goals)	0
Graham	60+	2
Joe	60+, -2 (4 goals)	0
Spencer	60+, -2 (4 goals), 3bps	3
Aaron	60+, 3 (assist), 1bp	6
Lloyd	60+	2
Paddy	60+, 3 (assist)	5
Robin
Panda
Tom	60+	2
Logan	60+, 4 (goal), 2bps	8
Rauru	60+	2

At least the title race is interesting, a 3 way tie at the top

Rauru 25 Paddy 25 Logan 25 Aaron 18 Lloyd 14 Graham 11 Mike B 6 Jason 5 Joe 5 Panda 4 Tom 4 Paul 3 Tangihaere 3 Spencer 3 Corey 0 Robin 0

2

Coming soon to a Pony near you...

The Hammering

A big loss last night Stallions, we haven't faced that in a long while, and its definitely a wakeup call.

Just to note next week's draw is out - we are playing Lower Hutt on Saturday, Fraser Park, afternoon game.  We are in trouble with numbers, and judging by their results this is one we need to win. Couple of injuries last night too - might be missing Paddy for a few weeks - we are really going to need to step up.

A bit of facebook stalking reveals this on the Raider's page: 
Awesome result last night lads, fully deserved. My dad was there, has seen 1 or 2 games per season as long as I've been with the Raiders ('05) and he reckons that was one of the best. Ethan (couple of wicked saves) and the defence were rock solid, the midfield did the work and provided forward momentum and the strikers had a blinder. Andy Thomson will deservedly get the plaudits for the stunning hat-trick but I thought Jules ran his guts out all night in support. The Stallions are a very good side and we ran all over them. My dad reckons it's the shortest Raiders side he can remember, but the FASTEST, and our use of the ball always made us dangerous, he said. Bring on Wests!... in fact, let's bring them on next Saturday 28th, Endeavour Park, 12.30pm.

Pretty good summary I reckon - especially the way ran all over us - the early goal didn't help, momentum, and yes, speed, damn speed ...

Logan's match report will probably be less celebratory, and its probably one to forget, but in terms of our stats:

Stallion: Dan, awesome headed goal
Pony: Rauru - from Stallion to pony, a hat trick of misses (or are they blocks Rauru?), just not what one expects from our inaugural member of the hat trick club.
Close contenders: Panda choosing to watch the league instead of playing, Joe's backpass to their striker, Mike's 'oggie', Corey's is he coming, is he not ... shit, could go on all day ...

MVPs caused a bit of headscratching, a pretty poor team performance all round.
3 - Spencer
2 - Logan
1 - Aaron

Right, so lets turn this shit around.

Suspensions

Check this out

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-4205-0-0-0&sID=218049

Carterton and Wainui topping the list, with a guy named 'Ford' being given a 5 year suspension. If this were rugby he would have been given a life ban surely?

View full size to see what actually happened!

How to chip the keeper

Hard to be churlish after 10 goals in the last game, but having had two unsuccessful chips already this season, here is a good example of how it is done.

Perfect 10 - Stallions vs Marist, Game 2 2012

The Match of the Day team predict correctly how many goals the Stallions will score

Holy crap. Just published it and seen how long it is. Wouldn't blame you if you don't read it. I've clearly got too much school holiday time on my hands...

The Stallions continued their winning ways in 2012 with what turned out to be a surprisingly one sided game. Having driven for 10 hours from the metropolis that is Ruatoria that morning, I arrived at the game in about the 15th minute. Reports on the sideline were that Marist were playing well and if anything they were dominating the game slightly. A look on to the field showed that this was a slightly different Marist team to the ones we have played in the past but there were still some good ball players on their team who had good feet and could move play around well. There were lots of runs being made in behind our defenders but our last ditch defending, as always, was doing a stand up job.

In about the 20 minute mark disaster was about to strike. A ball was played through the defense for one of their strikers to run on to it. Kilfeiro (note: All names are courtesy of the Brazil name generator since that was kinda how we played ;) ) was alert to the danger however and came out quickly. However as he went to ground to smother the ball, the ball skidded quickly off the wet artificial turf past the keeper where it sat nicely for an easy tap in. 1-0 Marist.

While not quite against the run of play it was a fortuitous goal so the general vibe was still positive that we could strike back. And strike back we did. Early sub Logson was on the field by this stage and no more than 5 minutes after Marist had scored he was put in behind the defenders with a great ball from Llildo. When one on one with the keeper like that Logson never misses (oh, except that one time later in the game but I'll get to that) and he blasted the ball past the helpless Marist keeper. 1-1, 25 min.

The mood amongst the sell out crowd was that something special was about to happen, and happen it did. After 30 minutes the crowd got what they had paid to see and Walkeiro Da Costa entered the game. 20 seconds later his name was on the score sheet. The sub was made when a free kick was given 10 meters inside the Marist half in an unthreatening middle of the pitch location. Sawyisco chipped a ball in behind the defenders which Walkeiro Da Costa ran on to. As the keeper came out trying to claim it, Walkeiro stuck out a size 13 and got enough on it to deflect it past the keeper. 2-1 Stallions, 30 min.

The scoring wasn't finished there though, not by a long shot. Marist continued to press and were awarded a penalty when one of their strikers went down easier than a drunken first year uni student under the challenge of Walka. The penalty was well taken, being blasted high to the left leaving Kilfeiro no chance. 2-2, 35 min.

The Stallions managed to hit back again before the half though as Pandiano made a jinking run down the left. Weaving in and out of defenders he jinked and jived like James Brown in his hey day before unleashing a drive that the Marist keeper could only parry. Walkeiro Da Costa managed to get his unusually large big toe to the rebound which found Goodinhosa who managed to slot it through a web of defenders. There were claims that the goal should have been counted as an own goal due to the fact the defender on the line trapped it, did a lovely step over followed by a Cryuf turn before slamming it into his own net in protest of not playing higher up the field, but they were dismissed. 3-2 Stallions, 40 min.

As the half came to a close the players walked off the field knowing that anything could happen in the second half. What did happen however, took everyone by surprise. The half passed in such a blur that this writer is unsure of the accuracy, especially in the order of the goals.

55 min - Ball punted up field by Kilfeiro. Logson flicked the ball on with his head which Walkeiro Da Costa ran on to. His blistering pace was too much for the Marist defenders and the ball was calmly slotted past the keeper for his 2nd. 4-2 Stallions.

60 min - Corner taken by Sawyisco into the heart of the 6 yard box. Marist keeper flaps his arms but cant get anything on it and Goodinhosa is there at the back post to nod it in. 5-2 Stallions.

65 min - Something weird happens in the Stallions end as the ball is delivered into the box, it meets the head of a Marist striker and somehow lobs over Kilfeiro into the net. 5-3 Stallions.

At this point, while still sporting a good 2 goal lead there was still a nervous tension around the ground as all three goals from Marist were fortuitous, while they missed some easier chances. The feeling was that anything could still happen. That feeling disappeared soon enough.

70 min - Logson plays a nice through ball which Walkeiro Da Costa runs on to. He and the Marist keeper get there at roughly the same time, but the keeper didn't get enough on it and went past it. With the ball sitting there for Walkeiro, Listeiro Da Costa (no relation) yells out "LEAVE IT!!" as he comes charging in. Well Walkeiro didn't drive 10 hours to "leave it" so he slams it in to the open net to claim his third and the match ball. 6-3 Stallions.

75 min - Listeiro plays a through ball for Logson who is one on one with the keeper, who he rounds (not with ease it might be pointed out) and slots the ball into the net. There were loud protests for off-side which might have been valid but the goal stood. 7-3 Stallions.

80 min - Corner whipped in, bit of pinball before it finds the feet of Grahildo who drills it into the net off Sawyisco's ass. Sawyisco tries to claim the goal which almost earns him the Pony, but no go. 8-3 Stallions.

85 min - Sawyisco whips in a great early cross from deep which finds the feet of Walkeiro inside the 18 yard box, who plays it back to Listeiro who side foots it past the keeper from 17 yards. 9-3 Stallions.

90 min - Sawyisco gets fouled 22 yards out just to the right before delivering a trade mark free kick (we all know the one) to complete the scoring. 10-3 Stallions.

People on the sidelines were stunned, not only at the 13 goal thriller that they had just witnessed, but also at the perfect 5 minute interval of the goals. Don't leave your seat even for a second ladies and gentlemen, the entertainers are here.

One could be forgiven for thinking that every shot the Stallions took must have gone in, and they would almost be right if it hadn't been for Logson's near open goal miss. After some work down the sidelines that Pep Guardiola would have been proud of, Listeiro teed up Logson who was on the penalty spot with only the keeper in front of him. Logson underestimated the agility of the keeper however and placed it too close to him, with the keeper managing to get a hand to tip it round the side, earning Logson an early entry for miss of the season. To top it off, on a separate occasion Logson goes to get the ball for a corner kick, decides to jump the fence rather than use the gate that was right there (I told you we were entertainers) and managed to lose balance and face plant into the concrete. No one puts baby in the corner though so he stands up and stands, arms aloft, giving his best impersonation of King Kenny after a goal has been scored. No goal this time, but we'll give you the Pony!

All in all, a fantastic Wednesday night under the lights. Next up is a top of the table and local derby clash against the Raiders, again on turf and under lights. 10 more please.

A new fantasy record high

23 points = +60 mins, 3 goals, 2 assists, 3 mvps - take a bow Rauru.

Table after 2 games:
 

Rauru	23
Paddy	20
Logan	17
Aaron	12
Lloyd	12
Graham	10
Mike B	6
Jason	5
Joe	5
Panda	4
Paul	4
Tangihaere	3
Tom	2
Corey	0
Spencer	0
Robin	0

AN EPIC VICTORY!!! - Updated

Since the blog has inexplicably had 55 visitors today, I think we can assume that people are still buzzing over that victory. Great work - a slow, slow start which become a carnivale of free flowing football!

I need some help for stats and fantasy - who got the goals, who got the assists. The ones I remember (now I may be wrong here, so feel free to correct) are:

Goals: 

Rauru 1/3, Paddy assist

Logan goal, Lloyd assist

Nick1/2, Rauru assist

Nick 2/2, Paddy assist

Rauru 2/3, Logan assist

Logan 2nd goal, Aaron assist

Graham goal, no assist

Rauru hatrick goal, Logan assist?

Aaron goal, Rauru assist

Paddy goal, no assist (Rauru you only get assist points if winning a pen, not a freekick - and you pretend to know your fantasy!).

Throw in your ideas for MVPs, Pony and Stallions.

My thoughts:

Stallion: Has to be Rauru - driving 8 hours to get there, scoring with first touch, hat trick, and god-damn dominating their D - that's the striker we need! Brilliant game.

Pony options:

Logan: Jumping over the fence and falling flat on his face

Paul: The first goal slipping underneath him

Paddy: trying to claim Graham's goal when it took a deflection off his arse as he jumped out of the way.

Reverse Scorpian Volley...

into the back of of his own net. This is a moment of Stallionesque brilliance that takes me back to the Butcher's glorious headed goal all those years ago.

Game 1 - Results and fines

Great win Stallions, and good to get a couple of drinks in (with meals of course).

A couple of the awards decided.

MVPs:
The wide backs put in a huge effort, reflected in the points. Who would have thought Butch leading the standings after game 1!
3 - Mike B
2 - Joe
1 - Paddy

Stallion:
Panda - beating his marker who ends up on the ground, Panda stops, stands over him and lets him know just how crap he is. Stallion!
A close 2nd - Lloyd's hiptoss of the shirtpuller - which somehow managed to get us the freekick.

Pony:
This is a key one - the winner may be wearing the first headband - and of course will have to come up with a match report. Here are the options, this can go to the vote - but announce your vote in the comments section. Polls are no good for this - they can be rigged, and we should be transparent in who we vote for. Nominations:
- Paddy - The Rauru imitation fine - the 1 on 1 chip to the keeper/pass back.
- Graham - could have been a stallion - free header on the backpost, 1-1 midway through the second half - went backwards, followed by a huge FUUUCCCCKK.
- The Butcher returns - a rather nasty chop chop on their winger
- Have I forgotten?

Fines:
All of the above and quite a few others, feel free to nominate/list

Damn, we thought we had a good win

Wests 16 - Lower Hutt 2

There goes the goal diff.

Intel on other div 6 teams from the YF forum

' We (North Wellington) are using one of our 2 teams in the grade as a Development squad to introduce our younger players to senior football (The average age of the team is around 18). It's a good squad with some very quick and skillful players just out of College balanced by some older heads so it will be interesting to see how we go against more experienced older guys.

The club as a whole is looking to move forward this year and finally start moving towards where we should be in Wellington Football for our size (24-25 senior teams this year). It's been a good start with the 1sts winning the HP 2nd div comp. '


''Wests will be eying up 3 straight promotions'

Hmm, both teams could prove tricky. We have Nth Wgtn this week right - wonder if it is this team. If so we better get ready to play the physical old guys game.

It's All About The Benjamin's

So the question needs to be asked: Do we reinstate the fine system? Last year we had some great turn outs at whatever the local pub was and fines could make a come back. The one thing I missed last year was the piss taking. Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously and fines are a good way to have a laugh regardless of the result.

It's also classic blog material where we get to recap all the embarrassing moments, and the laughs continue well after the last pint has been drunk.

The only problem with the fine system in the past is that some people paid in full while others didn't pay anything (Tristin, if you're reading this you still owe $732.50), and then some people being the good team men they are (i.e. Spencer) paid all their fines but then wasn't around to enjoy the end of year function.

A thought that I had was to introduce 'Fantasy Fines'. Similar to the Fantasy Football points system that we currently have, but in a more "you're so shit it's unbelievable" kinda way. I figured that it would be the same as the fine system of old but that the fines would be 'fantasy'. At the end of the year the person with the most fines would be awarded the Pony. The good thing about the fines is that it doesn't target 'poor' play necessarily, but often just funny and stupid play. Yours truly missing one the easier chances I'll get this season will still get punished as being poor play, as will the countless shanked passes, but things like Joe tackling his own players, Tangihaere blasting a harmless cross field defensive pass to Paul into Row Z, Gus getting chipped and then getting 'Seaman-ed' are examples of more funny and stupid rather than being shit. Actually, when you think about it...

Anyway, what are your thoughts? I know that with fees being roughly $200 money isn't always there to spend on frivolous fines (especially with all the colts coming through), but it's a thought. Maybe Aaron could set up an anonymous poll to see if people are keen for them coming back? I'm easy either way but did enjoy the laugh of the fines and would be happy enough to see them come back. Maybe we could cap a seasons worth of fines at $50 or something, or a games fines at $4-5, or both?

Heard on the sidelines #2416

Joe: 'I'm a whole new player this season'

Pretty good effort today Stallions, by that I mean no one collapsed in exhaustion, no obvious injuries, and some good play (the first 20 of each half were pretty impressive - I guess that says something about the fitness levels). A loss, but take out the dodgy keeper and who knows. Mind you he was using size 486 gloves.

Some good signs for next week.