University Stallions 2 Vs Marist Cobras 2

The Stallions proved themselves to be the league's draw specialists with a 2-2 result against a spirited Marist side at Sodden Park.
Corey Bell summed up the pitch conditions with a prematch stroll around the ground, literally soaking in the atmosphere. The game looked unlikely to start, and just as the Stallions were considering retreating to a warm pub meal (well I know I was), Marist took to the field to 'warmup'. The challenge was laid down and the Stallions had no choice but to accept...

The match started with both goalmouths sitting under 10cms of water. Bell (complete with snorkel) took over the goalkeeping duties for the Stallions. Both teams had players sporting beanies and the opening whistle could not be heard over the gale force winds, horizontal rain, and roars of laughter. Neither side could believe they were actually playing.

McCleary finally broke his scoring drought on 15mins with a close range shot which created a torrent of water that travelled further than the ball. The Marist keeper was temporarily blinded by water and mud, as the ball trickled over the line. 1-0

The Marist team tried to play proper football, which was the wrong thing to do with the wind at their backs. The Stallions hoofed the ball at every opportunity looking to hit on the counter.
They were under the pump at times and there were some close calls as Wong cleared a shot off the line from a corner and Bell tipped a header over the bar from Aitofi.

Halftime saw the rain and wind stop dead...
McCleary bagged his second from some good build up play with a shot from 8yrds which took a deflection and found its way inside the right upright. 2-0 60mins

With the game seemingly in the bag the Stallions relaxed. A Marist midfielder went on a mazy run from the centre circle, straight through the middle of the field. His chipped shot sailed over Bell(who was up to his waist in mud). 2-1 75 mins

The equaliser came from a 30yrd free kick given on the left of the box. (Not sure who gave it away but they should be shot!) It hung in the air and beat the unlucky Bell (who was now preserved in ice). 2-2 81mins

Both teams came close to scoring in the final minutes with Aitofi coming closest, unfortunately at the wrong end of the field, his stinging drive hit straight at Bell.

2-2 a fair result and football was most definitely not the winner on the day...

Friday night football awaits the Stallions next round, with a perfect playing surface that will no doubt suit their 'total football' philosophy.

Attendance: 2.5

At this stage we're still on while everyone else is cancelled

TRANSFERRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAPITAL 7:
Lower Hutt City __ Nth Wgtn Varsity __ Fraser 4 (12.30);
Uni Stallions __ Marist Cobras __ Kelburn (12.30) NOW Sladden:
SV Killer Bees __ University 4th XI __ Delaney 1 (2.30);
Wgtn United Elite __ Uni Raiders __ Melrose (2.30) NOW Hutt Park 3:

KP pitch report

Disclaimer: While this is probably the state of KP, this is by no means a cancellation notice. The author takes no responsibility for people not turning up to the game if by some miracle we do get to play. Please check cancellations in case there is a ground transfer. There will also be comments on this post tomorrow morning by 10am.

Capital Football draw May 22nd 2010

Here it is the clash some of you have been waiting 2 years for the Stallions vs Raiders @ the hallowed turf of Kelburn park

Capital 7 Draw 22nd May 2010

Nth Wgtn Varsity   Vs  University 4th XI @ Raroa (12.30);
Wgtn United Elite  Vs  SV Killer Bees    @ Melrose (2.30);
Uni Raiders        Vs  Uni Stallions     @ Kelburn (12.30);
Marist Cobras      Vs  Lower Hutt City   @ Miramar 3 (2.30)

Oh and results and table from last week COYS's

CAPITAL 7:

CAPITAL 7:
University 4th XI     4    Marist Cobras         0
Lower Hutt City       2    Uni Raiders           4
Uni Stallions         1    Wgtn United Elite     1
SV Killer Bees        2    Nth Wgtn Varsity      2
                       P  W  D  L  GF  GA  Pts
Lower Hutt City        7  5  1  1  30  15  16
University 4th XI      7  4  1  2  18  18  13
Uni Stallions          7  3  3  1  15  11  12
Nth Wgtn Varsity       7  2  3  2  16  14   9
Uni Raiders            7  3  0  4  16  22   9
Wgtn United Elite      7  2  2  3  16  16   8
Marist Cobras          7  2  2  3  15  20   8
SV Killer Bees         7  0  2  5  12  22   2

University Stallions 1 Vs Wgtn Utd Elite 1

Two evenly matched sides shared the points on a greasy Macalister Park 2. Another Panda (not his real name...) wonder goal halfway through the second spell cancelled out a Saywer own goal.

Surprisingly the Stallions began with the two Walker brothers leading the line, in an attempt to find out who the best footballer is in the family. Unfortunately this side game was to be a non event as neither received any quality service in the first half. This wasn't through lack of trying as the first half was a pretty open affair with both teams trying to play good football. The Stallions best chance of the half fell for Rafa Walker who had a one on one with the Elite keeper. The keeper came off his line well to close down the danger, and while Walker did well to create an opening, he was clearly showing the effects of one two many lagers the night previous. Elite had a virtual open goal miss which hit the woodwork and a good chance cleared off the line from a goal mouth scramble. Both sides went to half at nil all.

If anything the Elite side may have had a slight advantage physically, not shying away from any 50/50 challenges and getting to the ball first in most cases. The Stallions were still in the game, but they needed some luck.

They got some luck...of the bad variety. Fogarty gave away a dubious free kick on the right side of the Stallion's 18yd box. The resulting free kick was finished nicely by Sawyer who while attempting a block, could only guide it past a stranded Kilford in the Stallion's goal. (0-1 58mins)

To the Stallions credit, they did not drop their heads and instead pressed hard for an equaliser. They were finding joy down the right flank and it was Sawyer who made up for his earlier mistake by whipping in a delightful cross (for guess who?). Panda (not his real name...) rose majestically above his marker, and from the top of the box, glanced a curling header inside the right upright to send the Stallion's fans (Corey and Joe's dad) in to raptures. 1-1 (65mins)

Both sides worked hard to secure victory but could not unlock the opposing defences. Kilford made two excellent saves late in the game and the Elite team may have felt they slightly shaded the match and deserved more from the game? However it wasn't to be their day, the Stallions showing tremendous resilience.

Attendance: 6

The league closing up now with Lower Hutt losing their first match of the season to the Raiders and Uni 4ths moving to second place. Stallions 3rd, and still in with a chance of securing their first league title.

TAB ODDS: Div 7 Winners

Lower Hutt - $1.87
Uni 4ths - $2.50
Stallions- $2.90
Nth Wgtn - $4.00
Uni Raiders - $4.00
Wgtn Utd - $20.00
Marist Cobras - $50.00
Stokes Valley - $100.00

"You know the odds, now beat them!"

Fantasy Stallions Vs Elite

Gots to do this early before I forget who played and did what.

This week its real easy - everybody gets 2 points for participation (appropriate huh), except for these 3:

Paddy 1 (60+, 1 assist, 1bp, -5 oggie)
Lloyd 4 (60+, 2bps)
Panda 9 (60+, goal, 3bps)

 Fantasy Analysis:
If Lloyd is the Stallions fantasy Lampard, Panda has become the Malouda - 3 consecutive hauls of 9 points has seen heavy investment and significant price rises. Meanwhile the price of our regular strikers seems to be dropping! While Stallions have the best defence in the league, punters are still holding back from investing - the players are doing damn well, but clean sheets are hard to come by, and with the popular fantasy target, goal scoring defender Corey/Leighton Baines still on the sidelines ...

As for the grand totals, I'm just going to do the top 3, cause its pretty embarrassing for the bulk of the team who work hard and only get 2 points a game:

Panda = 34
Logan = 25
Lloyd = 23

Photo: his haircut may be better, but Malouda's goal scoring celebrations are crap compared to Pandas  (yesterday's was class - the now patented running behind the goal, but this time with the twist of pointing to the ball lodged in the back of the net). Love it.

HELL YEAH NO CANCELLATIONS

Elite, be afraid, be very afraid ...

Now, tell me, I forget - are we a good wet weather team or a crap one? I know its one or the other, but have forgotten.

Surely our next prize figure

http://engrishfunny.com/2010/05/12/engrish-funny-better-than-my-little-pony/

Heard on the sidelines #8

Is this...no it can't be...this isn't Tangihaere is it?


"I was studying Ronaldo this morning. Watch for the scoop."
Walker, T. Ranger gets a little bit excited after watching his man-crush.

Fantasy EPL Final Standings

If there was ever a doubt about where the brains of the team are, here are the final standings in Stallions Fantasy EPL:

	Team	Manager	GW	TOT
1	0005	Aaron L	80	2217
2	giddyupfc	corey b	60	2157
3	OGStallion	Rauru Walker	68	2104
4	Staliwharks	Nick Goodall	95	2068
5	Farnzie Finishers	Geoff Farnsworth	64	1985
6	Jay's Reds 09	Jay Aitofi	85	1882
7	Chis2dawick	Daniel Wharakura	35	1698

University Stallions 4 V Stokes Valley 2

An injury ravaged Stallions side hit the jackpot in 'Vegas' with a convincing 4-2 win against the league's cellar dwellers at Delaney Park.

The Stallions were without a number of key players for this fixture with first team regulars: Sawyer, White, Lister and McCleary all out with a variety of lame excuses. Aitofi and Rafa Walker were both carrying niggles, however the Stallions were able to draw on their reserve side and call up Logan Mead, Dan 'the man', and Hamish from the Cricket Stallions academy. The club's youth programme clearly bearing some fruit.

To cut a long story short (because let's face it, these reports are getting unnecessarily long) the Stallions were on top from the start and had the better of play for about 83% of the match. Mead opened the scoring in the 5th min with a 'Nanny' (you know, the Man Utd player) like chip from inside the box, wide right. Lloyd "Lamp's" Davies doubled the lead on 15mins after a mazy Mann run down the left wing. Mann beat four defenders who were blinded by his bright green boots and stood it up for Davies who timed his run perfectly and placed a shot past the keeper from the top of the box.

A goal mouth scramble and a rare defensive lapse from Aitofi gifted the home side a lifeline on 35mins, and the Stallions went to the break at 2-1. The lead should've been much more however, the Stallions wasteful infront of goal at times....unacceptable really.

Stallions piled on the pressure after the break and were rewarded in the 60th min when midfielder Panda (not his real name...) curled a low shot to the right of the keeper for another trademark goal. You just cannot keep this man out of the game!

The Stallions 4th came shortly after from a corner which the Valley keeper called for, came for, and missed completely, leaving Davies a simple nod in for his second of the game.

Stokes Valley pulled another back after a 'pull back' took a deflection and fell nicely for the striker who finished well, placing a shot through the legs of: Aitofi (not his fault), Fogarty (partly responsible), and Kilford (poor positioning.)

4-2 final score which flattered the home side somewhat. Stallions remain second on the table, still in touch with the leaders, and once again boasting the league's tightest defence.

Attendance 10 (Thanks to the Stallions "Bring yer babies day")

Stallions Fantasy vs Stokes Valley

In the absence of Aaron and Corey I've decided to take on the role of fantasy points this week as third best in the EPL fantasy (what an honour). I also took the liberty of allocating the bonus points. I thought 3 and 2 was pretty simple, but struggled between the goal and assist of Gus, the all day running and work of Dan, and the solid D of Tangihaere and Joe. In the end I went for Gus, as he would have a had a few more assists if I had a better touch and finish. I also decided not to allocate assists for Gus' and Panda's goals as A) I forgot who gave them, and B) like Panda's goal last week I considered them individual goals and so assists never really came into it.

Paul 1 (60+ min, 2 goals conceded)
Joe 1
Tangihaere 1
Jason 1
Dan 2 (60+ min. Even though played in D for a bit, was playing in mid when goals were scored)
Panda 9 (60+ min, midfield goal, 2bp)
Lloyd 15 (60+ min, 2 midfield goals, 3bp)
Rob 2
Spencer 2
Graham 5 (60+ min, assist)
Gus 10 (60+ min, forward goal, assist, 1bp)
Rauru 2
Hamish 1 (playing <60 min)

No idea of the total points but I'm gonna guess Lloyd is probably setting up a nice lead.

Coming soon to a blog near you...

From L-R: Willy, their drunken mate, Jules & Glenn are all but a myth

After the first fine session of the year it was decided that we should put together a family tree in preparation for the Stallions 10 year anniversary in 2011. For the people who check this blog, in order for us to make sure that we have the right information about you, can you comment on this and state what year it was you entered the team for the first time and who it was that was responsible for being you into the team (that way we can beat up whoever it was that brought Hodges into the team...wait...wasn't it Aaron? I guess though without that we wouldn't have such mighty Stallions as Spencer, Paul, Nick, Lloyd and...well...*cough* Paddy *cough*).

Once we get the full list together we will select a Stallions All-Star team ('we' being whoever stays at the pub long enough after the fine session. None of this democratic voting crap) . It's actually mostly been written but we have missed a few gems in amongst all the coal so let us all know.

Heard on the Sidelines # 7

'Willy has become a myth' - Bob Hinckles

A Beautiful Mission - Bringing the world's game to the Coast

Natives kick an inflated takahe stomach around Weka Park


Well,

Difficult to know where to begin.

After 7 seasons doing what i do moderately for the stallions i am now sharing my gifts with the Kapiti Coast United 3rds (just doesn't have the same ring as the Stallions does it?).

OK Initial observations.

Sand glorious sand. Our home ground Weka Park is an absolute peach laid on the sandy soil of the coast its flatter than one of Patrick's crosses, yet has nice lush green grass, and the weather has been brilliant negligible wind and picture perfect weather.

The clubrooms next to the ground(!) are well frequented, stocked with pies and homemade goodies, beer on tap and a great family atmosphere ----


so far all is more than satisfactory.

I don't mention the quality of the football merely because its not really about the football anymore, is it? I mean honest ...its about community, fun and fresh air.


mmmm lets just say that in this league you have more time on the ball yet less options.

Highlight so far taking to the field against the Levin Masters who had an average age of (without exageration) 17. Clearly life is cheap on the Coast.

I said to the lads, i said, "not so much Masters as Prefects!" heck we all laughed.

There is a young chap in our team which makes recovering Nick White look like Mal Meninga.

There is a guy in our team who makes Mal Meninga look like Nick White.

I have scored 1 goal from 2 games in the outfield (yes from my head which when you think about the human body holistically is just an extension of my toe (as in toehacks).

No one could quite work out how i had headered the ball into the goal from such an acute angle.

I just shrugged my shoulders and said "Hey it's a kind of magic"

A Chip off the old block

Ben H's partner on facebook:

'For his first game of football Louis received Best Player of the Day certificate - 4 goals today!!! Not bad for his first time on the pitch...he was wearing his French football gears!!!!'

Cheers Annabel, that made my day.

Whats worse - a Hodges who can score goals or a Hodges in a French strip?

Stallions Fantasy vs Lower Hutt

Well 1-1 may have been a good result for a top of the table clash (but god damn we should have won it), but doesn't do much for fantasy football. A lot of 2 pointers this week, except for stars Panda (storming game, great goal) & Tangihaere (huge game, totally shut down their star player and ran the show - especially for someone who apparently could run but not kick!).

Discussion in the pub about whether there was an assist for Panda's goal, which no one could recall so wasn't allocated. Let us know if you think otherwise ...

Paul 2
Tangihaere 5 (+60, 3bps)
Jason 3 (+60, 1 bp)
Paddy 1 (Doing his boots up)
Corey 2
Joe 2
Graham 2
Lloyd 2
Aaron 2
Spencer 2
Robin 2
Panda 9 (+60, midfield goal, 2 bps)
Rauru 2
Tristin 2

I'm out next week, so Corey, as the second best Fantasy expert in the team, perhaps you should calculate some points. Vs the worst team in the grade - fantasy returns ahoy! Except for me ...

University Stallions 1 V Lower Hutt City 1

An entertaining top of the table clash saw both teams cancel each other out at the 'Ville.
Graham Mann returned to the side sporting a new pair of flouro green boots fresh out of the box from his sponsors, 'Number 1 Shoe Warehouse'. Other than Nick White who was off running a marathon, and Mike Butchard (missing in PNG jungle-presumed dead) the Stallions had a full squad to select from.

Dominating the headlines in the build up to the game was the question of how the Stallions would handle the Lower Hutt strike force, who had netted an impressive 23 times in 4 games. This job fell to Paddy Sawyer who started the game at centre back. Sawyer's job was to stick to the main striker and kick lumps out of him. Unfortunately Sawyer pulled up lame in the warmup and only lasted 10mins of the first half. T. Walker 'Texas Ranger' who had been relegated to the bench after last week's poor display, received a reprieve and replaced Sawyer.

The home side defended well in the early exchanges, only occasionally split open in the middle of the park. Possession was even although Lower Hutt spent more time in the opposing half. Any balls swung in from wide areas were picked off easily by Stallion's keeper Kilford who used his height well. The Stallions had a couple of close shaves in the first half. The first was from a defensive error from right back Fogarty. Fogarty who is a student of 'Total Football', totally overhit was can only be descibed as a 'defensive cross' in his own box. It fell for a Lower Hutt striker who had his shot blocked by Aitofi in cover. The second Lower Hutt chance forced a fine save from Kilford who dived low to his right to turn a skidded shot around the post. The shot was from outside the box and took a deflection on the way to goal. Kilford saw the ball late and flung himself full stretch, only just getting to the ball in time.

The Stallions best chance of the half came from an audacious 30m drive from midfielder Panda (not his real name...). The shot always looked to be sailing over the bar, when it dipped at the last second and cannoned against the crossbar. 0-0 at the half and the Stallions had held their own well against the league's high-flyers.

The Stallions were feeling good at the break, pleased that their tatics of frustrating the opposition were working. However, the home side have been vunerable after half time and did not want repeat of the previous week vs Uni 4th's.

The second half sprung in to life with Lower Hutt missing a gilt-edged chance on 50mins. A goal kick was not dealt with by the Stallion's defence and a Lower Hutt player pounced on the loose ball, only to send the shot a metre or two wide from the top of the box.

Things were tight with both sides pushing each other to force that crucial error. The game was turned on its head in the 65th min when Panda (not his real name..) received the ball on the right. Cutting inside one marker the Stallions man ripped a shot from 25yrds and gave the Hutt keeper no chance of saving. 1-0 Stallions. Since his free transfer from Titahi Bay Marlins Rugby League Club in season 2008, Panda (not his real name...) has developed a reputation for scoring spectacular goals for the Stallions franchise.

With over 20mins left on the clock, the Stallions knew it would be hard work to protect the lead. This was to be proven correct when on 78mins, Lower Hutt were awarded a free kick outside right of the box. The free kick found a Hutt player on the back post who had got inside his marker, Wong. The Hutt midfielder chested and volleyed fron 8yds for a well taken goal. 1-1

Lower Hutt pushed an extra striker forward and pressed. The defence scrambled well and the Stallions had chances of their own to snatch the win, with both Davies and McCleary coming close. At the end of 90mins a draw was probably a fair result and the Stallions can take much from the game as being the only side in the league to take points from Lower Hutt thus far.
Stallions in second place on the table, 5 points off the leaders and 1 point from mid-table obscurity. However, the Stallions are now favourites for the FIFA Fairplay Award after turning down a penalty awarded by Referee Sawyer during the second half...unbelievable!!

Attendance: 7

Capital soccer draw for 8th May 2010 and results for 1st may

We're away in Stokes Vegas with the lunchtime kick off

draw:

CAPITAL 7:

Nth Wgtn Varsity __ Marist Cobras __ Nairnville 1 (2.30);

University 4th XI __ Uni Raiders __ Kelburn (12.30);

Lower Hutt City __ Wgtn United Elite __ Fraser 3 (2.30);

SV Killer Bees __ Uni Stallions __ Delaney 1 (12.30);

Here's today's results and current table standings 1st may 2010

CAPITAL 7:
Uni Stallions         1    Lower Hutt City       1
Wgtn United Elite     4    University 4th XI     0
Uni Raiders           2    Nth Wgtn Varsity      4
Marist Cobras         4    SV Killer Bees        3

                       P  W  D  L  GF  GA  Pts
Lower Hutt City        5  4  1  0  24   9  13
Uni Stallions          5  2  2  1  10   8   8
Nth Wgtn Varsity       5  2  1  2  11   9   7
Wgtn United Elite      5  2  1  2  13  11   7
Marist Cobras          5  2  1  2  12  13   7
University 4th XI      5  2  1  2  12  17   7
Uni Raiders            5  2  0  3  11  18   6
SV Killer Bees         5  0  1  4   8  16   1