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