Anyway, no one was in a mood to debrief afterwards, so thughts on the game here, and nominations for Pony/Stallion and Bonus points here (Mike and Panda, get in too).
Typical Stallions shambles pregame - a lot my fault really - instead of doing all those manager things I was down the bank finding a ball for about 10 mins, showed up just before kickoff, screwed up the minutes silence, the strip, positions. At least I charmed the referee into allowing rolling subs.
Trying to think. In terms of bps Nick was a beast wide on the right again (and if there was an assist of the year award that would be a definite contender), Paddy had a big one and was unlucky not to score, Joe did well with a good opponent marauding down the left, Robin and Jamie also had good games. Others did too. Tom was obviously pretty damn handy - great finish.
Pony: Only a couple come to mind, and both the same person sorry G. Less the open goal miss than the defeaning bellow of the Rhino that followed. That terrible first sub, when Graham whipped off his top and gaily skipped across the field while the game continued and got yelled at by all, and then that terrible, terrible tackle that even made Joe blush. Don't mean to pick on you G, I'm sure there are other options, my shinning one of them Anyone got anything else?
Stallion moment?
Oh yeah, quite a few of you didn't pay up - I'll take a beer at our next session instead.
Results:
CAPITAL 6: Uni Accies 3 Uni Stallions 2 North Wellington 0 Brooklyn Northern 2 Lower Hutt Sangham __ Marist Inter __ POSTPONED; Petone Chiacago 3 Wainuiomata 0 Miramar Rangers 2 North Wgtn Villa 2
P W D L GF GA Pts Uni Accies 4 3 0 1 13 10 9 Brooklyn Northern 4 3 0 1 7 5 9 Uni Stallions 4 2 1 1 9 4 7 Petone Chiacago 4 2 1 1 9 5 7 North Wgtn Villa 4 2 1 1 12 9 7 Lower Hutt Sangham 3 2 0 1 11 9 6 Miramar Rangers 4 1 2 1 8 8 5 Marist Inter 3 1 0 2 13 14 3 North Wellington 4 0 1 3 3 10 1 Wainuiomata 4 0 0 4 1 12 0
18 comments:
I noticed alot of different players playing today that didn't play in the pre-season game we had against them.
I agree with the miss of the season from Graham a foot in front of their goal.
There definitely wasn't a dull moment in the game, everyone pushed themselves to the limit.
The last 15-20 mins the stallions continued to put the heat on the Accies from all areas of the field, we seemed to have more ball in their 18 yard box, then they did in ours. So many scoring opportunities went a miss.
It'll be gr8 to wipe the smirks off the Accies faces in the 2nd round
Next up is North Wellington, 2:30 @ Anderson
Absolutely hope, and it must happen, that we beat them next game. I seem to keep missing playing them so will be booking myself in for that game way in advance!
Gutted about the result guys, but at least we're able to climb to 2nd in the table playing the team above us.
Sorry, thought we were playing brooklyn
I thought Jamie 3, Dan 2, and maybe Nick 1.
Absolutely gutted to lose but given the number of saves Jamie made in the first half, and that they only had 10 men in the second, they probably just about deserved the win.
Lessons learned - long ball does not work for us, and when we play it short we're as good as anyone. If we tighten up on D when we play them again we'll beat them.
Oh yeah pony - G. The scream after the miss was completely reminescent of Ben's "oh Dad!!" from a couple of seasons ago.
Yeah I made a number a saves, but I can only take the 3 points if we won
Long ball works when it comes from the keeper, there were a number of times that we had the advantage after a goal kick. However, away from the goal kicks, we do play a better game when we are passing it around. Today there was alot of passing and most of these passes connected with fellow Stallions. The keeper sees alot of what goes on and I noticed alot of passes that made it to the another Stallion.
Agree with Jamie on many things. Long balls from keeper worked well, then good passing build up outbid midfield. Paddy, Lloyd, Nick and Jamie contenders for points.
I've long since resigned myself to Pony; how often does a single player have three Pony worthy moments in a single game? So it will be me with the the pink headband against North Wellington.
Match report - Uni Accies vs. Uni Stallions, Monday 25th April, Boyd Wilson.
The Stallions unbeaten run in Div 6 came to a sudden end this Monday - with the team going down valiantly to the Uni Accies 3-2 in a typically tight derby encounter where a tense often absorbing battle had momentum and dominance swinging several times.
Kicking off 1.01pm in order to observe a moments silence, the game was played in a good natured but fiercely competitive spirit that would have done the Anzac's proud.
Early phases of the game were naturally cagey with the Accies finding a groove more readily than the Stallions, with fluid passing using the breadth of the field. A tense central midfield battle took a hold right from the outset with tough tackling and good breaking up of play and distribution by the likes of Lloyd and Paddy. Some early chances in the first 20mins to the Accies were nullified by some fine saves from Jamie who had a commanding game between the sticks, aided by some no-nonsense challenges from Jason and Corey.
The Stallions found a rhythm shortly thereafter and started to gain some good ground up the field with several attacks down both flanks. Some chances came our way with Paddy and Aaron coming close on 2 separate occasions as well as some good link up play with Nick and ring-in Tom (who had a stellar first appearance).
The Accies then hit back with several attacks of their own, stinging the Stallions backline with clever balls in over the top exposing the Stallions high defensive line. Some spirited defending by the back four kept the Accies still searching for the back of the net until the 35th minute when another ball in over the top found the stallions stretched wide with not enough central cover finding an Accie player unmarked who finished sweetly. Accies 1 Stallions 0.
The Stallions fought back in the last part of the first half, adjusting their defensive position and playing in a far more positive manner. Dan and Joe linked up well with Nick, Paddy and Aaron delivering lethal balls into the box on several occasions that lifted our spirits measurably.
Cue bizarre end to the first half with a botched substitution by Graham leading to a semi naked dash across the pitch followed by a rash lunge.
The second half started in a lively manner with the Stallions holding the ball well and sticking to the halftime plan of working short balls through the midfield and abandoning any thought of the hoof ball approach.
Our bright start was rewarded some moments later when Nick made an outstanding run down the right flank, cutting in masterfully and delivering an inch perfect cross which Tom banged in.
Unfortunately the 5 minutes that followed undid our great start to the half with the Accies hitting back twice in quick succession largely due to them again creating space in the centre by pulling our defence wide.
However, the Stallions did not put their heads down following these 2 cruel setbacks. Instead it seemed to have a galvanising effect as we stepped up a gear and the defence in particular made immediate amends making some goal saving challenges and chasing down and dispossessing their speedy attackers.
Paddy, Nick, Dan and Lloyd came into their own again, constantly pressing and creating chances and in the end we were rewarded for our efforts with an own goal that was a direct result of the pressure we were mounting. The game had swung back in our favour and with 15 mins remaining, it felt like an equaliser was beckoning.
A great chance went begging when Graham failed to capitalise on a low skidding ball across the goal face (shades of Berbatov in the FA Cup semi) and we also came close through Paddy peppering the goalie with a succession of shots outside the box.
Alas, it wasn't to be and the Accies hung on winning 3-2. In fairness, they probably just about deserved the win - they played nice expansive football and had some very handy ball players in the centre of the park. The Stallions however, showed great spirit and determination and never gave up. Attributes that will hold us in great stead for the remainder of the season no doubt.
For me Stallion would go to Paddy who had an immense game with all the play going through him. Pony would have to go to Graham for the bizarre substitution incident. In fairness, it was a great overall team performance so coming up with MVP points is a tough task.
Joe
Paddy -3
Jamie -2
Nick - 1
Great match report Joe.
The Accies first goal came from us being caught short in the back line, leaving us out-numbered.
Their 2nd and 3rd goal came from us not being able to shut them down early enough, but to be fair, the Accies were constantly attacking us and our defence was able to prevent them getting through most of the time.
Paddy -3 - Stellar effort
Tom -2 - That header was nice to see from the other end of the field, I got a perfect view of that
Dan -1 - Was solid on defence
First goal was a little unlucky; Jason was looking for a through ball to me (I was unmarked down the left wing), had it gone through Corey was also in support and we would have had a good break down the left. Unfortunately the pass was intercepted, and my marker, who was 20m up the pitch, played a part in their break which was clinically finished.
Great match report Joe, I'm sure we have the best match reports around.
Nuff said.
Joe great match report. Paddy, Dan, Jamie, and Nick in no particular order had huge games. Top effort lads can't wait to get back.
Yeah i'll put my hand up for the first goal tried to attack them down the left and it back fired that's football
Oh sorry and mvp paddy,nick w dan
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