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!"
15 comments:
$10 on Stokes Valley. The grades getting tight all right, and we are still in it. Who is yet to play Stokes Valley twice - they will be eyeing up 6 points.
Good call on the Stallions not dropping heads after their goal - we really dug in and chased the equaliser.
And Lachlan, notice the free kick which lead to the oggie was 'dubious'. Nice one Stevie G
I'll take that bet... :P
The Elite Match report here - http://www.sportsground.co.nz/TeamSite.asp?SiteID=14161
Ye-hah, good to know we have arch-rivals, but sucks to be reminded that we did the treble over them last season.
Hmmm, odd match report that Elite gave. I thought they were quite generous on us. If there were chances happening in the first half, I seem to have forgotten about them (except the 'fantastic double save' where the first save was with the same body part that Corey scored with, and the second a fat foot to push it round the corner).
And there was nothing dubious about that free kick they scored from unfortunately. Bull in a china store comes to mind ;)
I know not training is our badge of honour and all, but quite surprised to hear that Elite train weekly. I wonder how many teams in our grade do & if it makes a difference to players of our umm level?
you can't train what we've got...natural ability!
Exactly - thats what I mean. Elite, for all their training, don't seem the most organised, practiced team - but rather like us rely on 'natural ability' and a bit of the old physical stuff. The 4ths and Lower Hutt, however, did seem to have more of that organisation which you would expect comes from training. I'm not advocating it - in fact we all know Stallions training would consist of 20 mins of blasting the ball at Paul, a penalty shootout competition and then a drink or 2. Sounds like fun ...
Hutt doesnt train...other than showing up and smashing balls at goal pre game :P
Interesting odds...Ild put money on either us (Hutt), Stallions or Nth Wgtn. I hope I dont eat my words but I think 4ths are overrated..
I'm opening up a market if anyone's keen... :P
Ha, cheers Lower Hutt Anonymous - good to get the perspective of other teams - and its good to know we have a shared approach to training!
Interesting thoughts on the grade -I'm kinda with you - and thought that the North Wellington team looked pretty damn handy and will finish higher than they currently are. The 4ths blew us off the park, but we applied no pressure of any sort - and you got the feeling that it might not have taken much. Of course we are all just chasing you lot - but the Raiders made that task just a little easier. Surprise result that.
Heh, yea damn those raiders! They killed us on set pieces (size+poor marking). We had some great chances (3 1on1's and a 1on0), but didnt deserve to win..
Yea nth wgtn are a good side..Best side Ive played ild say (though I missed hutt v stallions) They had us down 2-0 late on (I forget) before we had a crazy last 20 to get outta jail 4-3 =D
Um... Elite cast member here. Nah we don't train, last minute random bit of indoor football for an hour or so that week. Enjoyed the match with the Stallions though, a good battle. Good grade this year, teams play hard but still enjoy it.
Haha!! What ever! Elite go hard out at training. You're just embarrassed cause you're sitting mid-table.
Umm, isn't that lower-mid table?
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