DRAW!!! IBU Sea Captains 3, Stallions 3

Cold night, dropped points.

Goals:
Milky x2 (both assists Paddy?)
Loric (assist?)
(assists not added to season tally until someone lets me know)

I can't even remember who we collared for pony and Stallion - anyone remember?

And next weeks opposition put 8 passed Tawa. Enjoy the goals while you can boys.

From the opposition - KCU match report

We made our way down to play Vic Uni who were 2^nd in the table at Wellington College on the astroturf. There was a sky sport camera team there but alas not to see us but to film the college egg chasing game that was on at the same time.

Again come Friday night we were struggling for numbers due to circumstances beyond Elmo’s control and this continued into Saturday morning but a last min text to Fraser and a bottle of wine for his wife later and he was on his way to help us out again!!!

1^st Half 

We kicked off and got a corner straight away where good interplay from Mitch, myself and Lawrie put them on the back foot but nothing came from it. From then we had another chance where I slid the ball through to Mitch and he hit it wide when 1 on 1 with the keeper, things were going ok but then we lost 2 quick goals due to a defensive error and then a free-kick which Robin couldn’t keep out. I had a chance to get us back into it with another one on one which the keeper got to my lob attempt and then Blocker hit the post with a headed chance from a short corner. We just weren’t at the races though in the 1^st half, some of our tackling was soft and against a team like Vic uni who were older we needed to be stronger than we were. And we went 3-0 down towards the end of the half due to sloppy defending again but I’m not putting blame on anyone as we were all culpable in that 1^st half.

Half Time Score Vic Uni 3-0 KCU 

Elmo had a word with us at half time which seemed to gee us up a bit and none of our heads were down by any stretch of the imagination.

2^nd Half

They kicked off and they seemed to go into their shell as we started fighting for every ball and winning them and about 5 mins into the half a sloppy shanked clearance from their centre back went back across goal toards their left back who tried to header it behind for a corner but instead the ball hit the post and went in. 3-1 

We were well on top now with Lawrie Faye and Mitch having storming games now and from another mazy run from Mr Faye he shot which deflected into the top corner. 3-2 GAME ON

Then we had a shocking decision from the ref (he needs to start watching games if he wants to ever be a good one) where Loz silas was clearly fouled in the box and damage done to his knee but the ref decided to give a goal-kick… He firstly said the uni player got the ball but gave a goal-kick???? Then he turns around and apologises saying he made a mistake (one of many mate one of many).

Loz had to come off and Frankie came on for him down the left.

For the next 15 mins we pummeled the oppo but just couldn’t get the equaliser and the ref blew his whistle to make the final score

Vic Uni 3- 2 KCU.

A game of two halves for us, a shocking 1^st half and then a spirited fightback in the 2^nd in which we just couldn’t get over the line. Again I sit here on Monday morning writing about what could have been if we had been allowed to have Lawrie for the extra 30 mins as he was having a cracking spell.

A crucial game punctuated and spoilt by a game where 

We didn’t show up until half time.

1. A referee’s whistle that was set on a 15 second delay mode.
2. Loss of key players at key times.

Less said about a poor 1^st half (non)performance that after 45 mins saw me asking a few stern questions at the break regarding whether anyone didn’t want to be on the pitch as there wasn’t any shape, commitment, communication or team play.

Our anticipation on the field, like the refs whistle seemed to be on a delayed setting.

2^nd half performance was played with a gritty, passionate and committed team that didn’t resemble the 11 on the park in the first half. With 25 mins left and Vic Uni now only 3-2 ahead, they ran out of steam and were being totally overrun by Loz Faye and support from Mitch and Loz  on the flanks.

Unfortunately losing die hard Loz Silas to a knee injury crudely inflicted inside the box without reprimand and the necessary substitution of Loz Faye after 60 mins to assist the 1^st team, denied us of a great comeback and 3 points.

The game that was !!…..3 points missed and a gap of 6 points between us and them, when it could quite easily have been 0.

Thanks to Fraser, Franky and Zac for putting their hands up for duty when required, again much appreciated.

Some facebook followup;

Heard on the sidelines #4218

Someone as we are 3-nil up against KCU at half time: 'Hodges couldn't even make THAT team'

Stallions 3, KCU 2

The long awaited battle. It looked good at half time 3-zip up. That second half was hell. A big 3 points, creating a 6 point gap from 3rd which if you are Milky inches us ever closer to Div 3, if you are Paddy beckons permanent retirement. (was going to say early retirement but ...)

That first half was a thing of beauty, some of the best football we have played? Carrick with 2 goals and and an assist was the star, but Paddy knocking in crosses from the right and scoring with a free kick - damn, like the old days in Div 7. Logan also handling and at points embarrassing his pacy marker and main point of attack was also a big factor.

Goals:
Carrick (Paul assist)
Paddy (Carrick)
Carrick (Dan)

Stallion: Chris, moved upfront, immediately offside, and kicked the ball away to waste some time. Yellow card. $25. STALLION.
Pony: Paddy, a beautifully headed goal, just at the wrong end.

Match report - Brooklyn 2: Stallions 1

I really should keep a better eye on this blog.  Turn away for a minute and there’s an entire thread agreeing that you’re Pony. 

Anyway, the sun was shining and the wind was brisk, like it always seems to be for us at Wakefield.  Heath, self-declared at “80%” and was drafted straight into the starting line-up – the perils of having 11 people at kick-off.  In true Stallions defeatist spirit, the pre-game chat with the opposition was wishing them the best of luck in Div 3 next year. 

That view seemed justified in an opening set of exchanges where we struggled to impose ourselves.  Heath quickly went from 80-3% attempting an ambitious shot from outside the box.  Mercifully, by that stage, Moose had turned up so our proud record of playing games with 10 didn’t continue.

Brooklyn took a deserved lead midway through the first half.  All it took was a turnover in midfield, an incisive pass, a smart left-right run and an indecisive keeper.  We weren’t getting humped, but it would misleading to suggest that their keeper was busy.  The Brooklyn defence was fast and powerful - and our moves appeared to break down in efforts to get the ball to outnumbered strikers.

Still, halftime was reached with no further incident and we took the opportunity to uphold a strong Stallions tradition by talking over each other for the few minutes before we started all over again.  We began the second half with as bit more about us.  Without creating a lot of chances, we did create a lot of pressure and Brooklyn were clearly uncomfortable with that.  A deflected free-kick and Paddy had an angled header drift onto the post (curse that Island Bay breeze).

Eventually we got the leveller we possibly deserved.  A neat ball put Rauru through – he got a toe to it just before the keeper cleaned him out.  Up stepped Milky “I don’t miss penalties” Davey to do his thing.

It all evened up a bit after that.  Brooklyn got what seemed like an endless stream of corners.  One came across and caught Milky flush in the face.  “Which one of you pricks ducked?”.  Classic pony moment.  Oh wait, that bit’s coming from the next corner.  I had visions of my decisive punch clearing the ball from danger.  Instead it grazed off the underside of my hand straight into my well-proportioned snout.  Another corner – this time there was some pinball, the ball dropped kindly for Brooklyn, who lashed a shot that deflected and somehow managed to avoid a series of flailing limbs.  2:1.

The closest we got after that was the keeper’s generous attempt to even things up by throwing the ball into the net.  As the ref pointed out, our one-paced strikers failed to capitalise. 

I thought we played really well in the second half.  Our previous promotion seasons have been punctuated by relatively undeserved wins against Brooklyn.  It wasn’t to be this year but I don’t think a draw would have flattered us.  Particular props to the D.  I might be Pony but it wasn’t my busiest game and I think that’s thanks to a great team effort from the front back.  Special mention to Moose, who did an amazing job filling that Tangihaere-sized hole in the centre.  Nice work fellas – time to focus on KCU.

Top of the table clash: Brooklyn 2, Stallions 1

Damn Stallions, that was a good effort. To go up against the top team in the league who thrashed us last time, without rocks Tangihaere and Lloyd, with only 12 - including '2 minute man' Heath, and push them like that was a good effort. So good, it feels like we could/should have got more out of that. We put up a great effort, but it seemed that unlike pretty much every other team in the league their defence was good, organised, strong and quick - and we couldn't make many chances. Only another perfectly executed pen from Milky to our credit, following Rauru been clattered by the keeper - Rauru was legitimately in the wars all day as opposed to just flopping around as normal (except for the one monstrosity of a dive, or was it 2?).

Goal: Milky (Rauru assist)

Not enough of a quorum for awards at the clubrooms, so get into the comments with nominations for pony and Stallion.

Meanwhile, Russian Bakky models the new all white away strip. Unbuttoned top button mandatory.

'We need to dick a team', Ok then: Stallions 5 - Tawa zip

Goals: Milky (no assist), Carrick (Paddy assist?),  Dan (Paddy assist), Oggie (Paddy assist), Rauru (assist?)

Stallion: Graham - too many good moments to pick from but a great overall game (could have been very different with that 'clearance' across the face of goal!). Great game G.

Pony - Some good contenders:
Tangihaere: no trust in the keeper/left foot (and he tried to blame Butchard for mentally scarring him about 4 seasons ago)
Logan - a terrible pass to Graham right in front of the face of goal that almost set up a 1 on1. His initial call of 'G' quickly became 'GGG-Jesus!'
Rauru - after been called offside blaming the rest for making him run too far.
Tim - The slowest substitution ever, changed boots 4 times, came on with 2 different boots.
Milky - 'is he injured, is he not'? Looked like he could not walk until the game opened up and he spritely took the ball of Lloyd's feet in front of goal, got cleaned up, took the penalty and had an all-round miraculous recovery.

And the winner is Milky, we look forward to a debut match report and headband.

Nick Goodall Watch

Unfortunately North Wellington equalised while IBU were temporarily down to 10 men after a stray elbow produced a profusely bleeding nose to CB Nick Goodall.

Should have asked Brooks for bandaging tips.

I think this is Gus's match report from the Sea Captains game

It's got a David Lynch feel - I'm sure it weaves together about 3 different games, has no idea with what actually happened, and perhaps at some point Logan stops to share peyote with his spirit animal. Its a bit weird, but here goes:

A more flattering view of everyone's favourite ginger pony

The Stallions started in their usual shemozzle fashion going two nil down all too quickly. Had I known the ridicule one faces when volunteering, out of the goodness of one’s heart to support the club, only to be awarded the grand shame of pony, I would have paid (more? Some?) attention to the game.

So, like many other of my pony reports, the details will be known only to those players with a passion for stats, tactics and how to play fantasy football. So who knows how the Pirate Sea Captain scored their first goal? Likely a breakaway after losing possession deep in the opposition half or perhaps a leprechaun trying to dribble out of left back -definitely not a chip the keeper scenario however.

The second goal was easily slotted from the penalty spot although I suspect Graham did get a palm to it. A scurvy for’ward was tripped near the sideline and incredibly defied gravity falling sideways into the penalty area (about 2-3 metres away) to claim a penalty kick.

Gradually climbing back into the game the boys in black (a big thanks to #Welmantechnologies) made forays into opposition territory stringing some nice passes together. Lloyd worked well through the middle and was supported excellently by both Dan and Gerald who both had a lot of puff in their sails. This led to Gerald's headed goal which is a contender for team goal of the year and more than enough to earn him the title of Stallion (are you going to put some options up on the blog Aaron?). It all starting from a throw-in from inside our own half followed by some excellent link work through the middle. Bakkie is said to have made the assist.

Next up a penalty was awarded to the Stallions after Lloyd was scythed down on a mazy run, and Bakkie calmly slotted home. More shouts of “aaargh, that be a penalty” were heard midway through the second half but this aging defender had earned himself a free hand ball in the box. This was achieved by befriending the referee before kick off by casually asking him to clarify the handball law and other “I-don’t-really-care-but-asking-your-opinion-gets-you-onside” questions.

Late in the second half a no look flying tackle resulted in an excellent save. Graham, woozy, bloodied but triumphant stood ready to take on the next karate challenge by an increasingly lippy centre forward. However his courageousness was overruled by some clear heads and he was escorted to the waiting flagons of thick, hoppy brown liquid on the sideline.

After a series of hard but fair tackles, Rauru was right in the action. Flying in from 20 metres away and taking out a deserving Pirate Sea Captain  who was rather upset by it all our captain stood his ground which encouraged  peace to break out again. However the sea dog must have been concussed too as he was took quite a shine to the East Coast pretty boy and offered him a modelling contract. This coincidentally may have been when Rauru earned his fashion police badge and placed yours truly on the worst dressed list for this season (apparently green and orange are the winter season’s no no).

A well fought out win that was never in doubt.  4-3 Stallions.