University Stallions 2 V University 4th XI 4

Anzac weekend saw the Stallions receive a major blow to their title aspirations and lose their first match of the season to the University 4th XI at Kelburn Park. The game was played at the Stallion's reserve ground due to the construction of a new 15,000 seater stand being erected at Stadio De la Narinville, which will increase capacity to 50,000 and generate revenue for the club.

In team news, Joe Fogarty was back after his successful vasectomy operation, with Lloyd "Lamps" Davies returning upon completing his loan spell at Chelsea. Graham Mann missed a second match in succession, still nursing his hairdo and Spencer Wong could not shake a troublesome leg injury sustained in the win against Nth Wellington.

A minute silence was well observed by both set of fans prior to kickoff in remembrance of NZ servicemen who had fallen in previous conflicts.

What was to follow was something not too dissimilar to the damage sustained by Kiwi soldiers at ANZAC Cove and Paschendale, as from the outset the Stallions were on the backfoot. With their opponents controlling possession and tempo well, the Stallions struggled to create much in the attacking third, living off scraps, and giving the ball away often due to poor option taking and pressure applied by the Uni 4th's.

The Stallions defence was kept busy for the first half conceding a number of corners, and struggling with the pace of the opposing strikers. This pressure led to the first goal around the 1/2 hour mark as T.Walker 'Texas Ranger' tracked a through ball pursued by a Uni 4ths striker. Sheparding the ball towards the sideline just outside his box, the normally reliable Walker had a mind explosion and tried to cut the ball back towards his goal. To the horror of Stallions fans the ball stuck in Walker's feet and fell for the Uni 4th's striker who slotted the ball past stranded Stallion's keeper, Paul Kilford. 1-0 Uni 4ths.

At the halftime break the Stallions were still in the game. However, from the restart the Uni 4th's unleashed a ferocious battery, the likes of which not been seen since the Battle of the Somme. The Stallions immediately conceded two quick goals, effectively ending the game as a contest.

The second goal came in the 3rd minute of the second half. A midfield break lead to a through ball to a Uni 4th's striker. The striker managed to get goalside of his marker Aitofi (who until that point had played superbly) and there was nothing Kilford could do. 2-0 Uni 4th's.
Two minutes later the Stallions were outflanked on the right, and another through ball found a Uni 4th's player who drilled the ball through Kilford's legs. 3-0 Uni 4th's

The Stallion's troops marshalled well and went to a more attacking formation, playing three in defence. They pulled one back on the hour mark from a set piece situation. Stallions midfielder Sawyer launched a shell in to the box and found the head of utility Mead who did well to obscure the vision of the keeper and glance the ball in to the back of the net. 3-1 Uni 4th's.

The tide began to turn, and the Stallions began to enjoy the lion's share of possesion. The opponents were pushed back to a more defensive position as the Stallions pressed. Half chances were created for McCleary and Hinkels but no goal was forthcoming. With time running out Mead went on a typically surging midfield run. After beating six defenders Mead had amazing presence of mind and passed the ball...in the air. His pass fell in to 'no man's land' between the opposing keeper and Stallion striker Rafa Walker. Both men went up for the ball with Walker enjoying supremacy in the air. The ball lobbed off his head and in to empty net, the keeper well off his line. 3-2 Uni 4th's.

With 5mins left it was 'battle stations' as the Stallions searched for the equalizing goal. They were to be undone by a counter strike on full time as a Uni 4th's attacker cut inside of Bell on the left. The initial shot was well parried by Kilford but it fell nicely for the striker who made no mistake with the follow up. 4-2 Final Score.

There will be much soul searching in the Stallions camp after this loss and fans will be hoping it is merely a blip on the radar.

Attendance: 13 (New club record)