CAPITAL 6: Uni Accies 3 Lower Hutt Sangham 4 North Wellington 1 Marist Inter 5 Wainuiomata 0 North Wgtn Villa 2 Petone Chiacago 1 Uni Stallions 1 Miramar Rangers 1 Brooklyn Northern 2
P W D L GF GA Pts Uni Stallions 3 2 1 0 7 1 7 North Wgtn Villa 3 2 0 1 10 7 6 Uni Accies 3 2 0 1 10 8 6 Lower Hutt Sangham 3 2 0 1 11 9 6 Brooklyn Northern 3 2 0 1 5 5 6 Petone Chiacago 3 1 1 1 6 5 4 Miramar Rangers 3 1 1 1 6 6 4 Marist Inter 3 1 0 2 13 14 3 North Wellington 3 0 1 2 3 8 1 Wainuiomata 3 0 0 3 1 9 0
Tristin, the match report can go into the comments for this post.
11 comments:
Going to be a very interesting league. Everyone is taking points off everybody else.
North Wellington and Wainui the only ones looking like they might struggle at this stage.
still undefeated lads - cracking start to the season - i sense real belief in the squad this year!
Stallions 1 Petone 1
Things are def different for the Stallions this year in the big league of Div 6. If it isn’t the ever building realisation of no rolling subs this year, the boys were also greeted to a changing shed with a usable locking device. Classy stuff.
I wandered out and took the long way around to pitch 2; I thought there is no way we would be playing against the guys in the bibs doing a hard out training warm up exercise? But sure enough the Stallions are in the big league this year.
After the usual managers strategy of asking who wants to volunteer to sub for a half we sorted the formation. Petone took off their training bibs and we all shook hands (isn’t that a lovely way to start a game?)
Anyway to the game, I do recall that they started pretty well and knocked the ball around a bit and the back four were called into make some tough challenges in the air from some nice balls into the Stallions box. This Stallion’s season has started on a foundation of rock solid defence and this continued in the first half as the back four kept them at bay for the first 25 mins or so. Going forward the stallions had some good moments and did create enough pressure to suggest that a goal or two could come but often it ended in a shot over the top or as in one case for me the ball nicking the outside of the near post.
I think it was around 25 -30 mins when the Stallions were under pressure at the back as Petone had started to create some one on ones with defenders and had us stretched a bit. This was when Lloyd who had a good game I thought, did his first cross over of the day (pity it was a back tracking defence clearance one) and the Petone attacker snuck in behind us and coolly placed his shot wide of Paul. Paul I think that you may have a record though, is that 210 odd of clean sheet minutes this year?
Throughout the first half the Stallions shall we say struggled with the refs interpretations and lack of whistle blowing for what I thought was some pretty obvious pushing and shoving around the ball by the Petone team. The Stallions boys were not happy about this carry on and this carried into the half time team talk also. (and through the second half)
After a quick formation change and jacket swapping the Stallions started to impose themselves on the match and once we started to crowd the middle of the field we cut off a couple of the Petone play makers and they seemed to lack the ability to use width with the middle option cut off, this coupled with the back four continuing to stay solid (we have come to expect this kind of performance so far this year) played into the Stallions hands. With Lloyd, Paddy and Aaron winning good ball in the middle with the assistance of Gus and myself sharing some much needed tracking back from up front some more ball and then chances came our way. Lloyd had the first good chance on a lurking run from midfield but some good jostling by the Petone defender off the ball broke his stride and the chance went astray. The Stallions could feel the game coming back to them.
I think it was about 25 Mins again into the second half when Paddy found himself surging through from midfield and it looked a carbon copy of the chance Lloyd had earlier but with Paddy being such a big strong man he managed to get to the ball first this time and somehow powered it past the defender and under? the goal keeper for it to dribble peacefully over the line. Paddy’s celebration epitomised the Stallions come back with a great Rooney facial and accompanying swear word and the mini fist pump was a nice touch Paddy. The game continued on with the stallions gaining more and more ball and in the end a one one result was fair for both sides.
Not sure on all the points etc I will let the boys in the club house decide that, though I will say that Dan a solid as game at the back and was my pick for Stallion.
Pony? well not to many of those moments as it was a solid character filled effort by the boys but maybe Lloyds cross over in centre D was the only pony moment? Harsh I know Lloyd but whom else?
I see we still top of the table so a great start guys lets keep pushing on and show them all how you play in the big league.
T out.
Cheers Tristin, nicely done.
In terms of points/awards, they went:
3 - Dan
2 - Corey
1 - Paul
Stallion/Pony caused a bit of debate:
Stallion: Spencer - a brilliant moment, surrounded by 3 of their guys, one says 'just tackle him, he's shit', Spence brilliantly turns, beats his man, and bangs a beautiful ball right up the sideline. Only way it could have been better was if Spence got all up in the guy's face afterwards.
Pony - Joe - almost the reverse. Apparently after his umm rather 'portly' marker got around him Joe was heard to dejectedly say 'he's faster than me'. Fatman 1, Joe 0. Only way it could have been better was if that guy got all up in joe's face afterwards. I think joe got second Pony place for his tackle on Dan (to which Logan was like 'see, it was all his fault 2 seasons back!')
Good times - look forward to the match report Joe!
Come on Joe - are you going to take that! Argue.
Anyone got anything to add to the match report?
What happened? Besides Joe getting the run around by a fat guy.I was expecting a win. Is this weeks game on Monday 1pm at Boyd Wilson?
Hey Panda, thats my expectation, right over my back fence and I'll be taking a leaf out of Jason's Book and turning up complete with slippers and non-smoking jacket...
Mud, rain, good opposition - we were pretty happy walking away with a point. A good come back being down at half time against a good team in crap conditions.
Yep, the Accies MoNDAY 1pm, Boyd Wilson
Maybe we should get some beers in?
ok Aaron, heres how it went down - not that the truth should get in the way of a good story!
Firstly - I didnt say 'youre faster than me' - he said 'im faster than you' (amongst several other things). Admittedly he was quick for a larger lad though he did have about a 10 yard headstart on me - the fact that was due to me being dragged out of position is another story i guess!
As for tackling Dan, dont recall this so cant really comment - I remember a scramble late in the second half to clear the line where there was a collision of sorts involving several players.
Looking forward to Monday with a match report to follow!
Joe
Post a Comment