Match Report: Stallions 5 - 0 Marist

Just three days after delivering a thrashing to Karori Boomers on Wakefield No 1, we backed it up with a fanatic win against Marist to demonstrate just what we are capable of.  This was a genuinely impressive display; the score line should have been a lot more.  The Marist team we saw of the first round were no where to be seen but another team showed up and they were happy to have rolling subs. After Wednesday game I think there were a few sore legs still and our ages started to shine through. So rolling subs was a godsend.

We had the better of the early exchanges, but as usually we failed to capitalized and put our early opportunities away, We had a few chances early with some good play down the right and a great cross in by Gus right onto the penalty spot only for Bakky to have so much time he put a clean header just right of the right hand upright.

From there we stuck to our task defensively and then ultimately with some good possession and few post and cross bars hit on the way, we put that nervous first goal in which came from Chris which I believe is his first goal for the stallions (No longer a virgin). Great little half volley off the cross bar and in. 1 nil.

Our second goal came from Rauru after some continuous play down the left between Chris, Heath and Carrick the ball ended up with Paddy who move to left back from centre back put in a beautiful long ball (not sure if this was a free kick or not) to Rauru who easily guided it into the far post, 2 nil.

We had a few more chances one with Lloyd toe poking into the back of the net from around 5yrds, this came from a through ball from Carrick (Eds note:  It was a self-confessed shanked shot) only to realize that Lloyd needed an extra yard in an off side position to put it in the goal. Off side called J well done Lloyd to get that far up the pitch in the first place.

The second half started with us going into the wind but I think this help us because any long balls that went through were a lot easier to chase than in the first half. The third goal came from Rauru again, this time it came from a corner, this arrived from some great pressure and play from the lads up the right hand side. The corner came in from Paddy, Rauru was fighting for position, he left his marker and the keeper and easily put it in the back of the net. Great assist from Paddy, 3 nil.

The 4^th goal of the game came once again from down the right hand side, It must have been at least 16 passes (the first of which was a back pass to Paul in goal) between 6 players, the final 3 phases came from Rauru to put Bakky through who instead of going for goal slipped a wonderful through ball to Aaron who beat 2 players to the ball to crash it home. To me this is probably team goal of the season great play from all.

With the stallions now just dominating position and Marist deciding to play 2 – 5 – 3 formation to try and get even just 1 single goal, the chances just came and once again the opportunity to really make a statement to the rest of the league had gone, only able to put one more goal in which came Bakky. This came from a free kick from Paddy which was flicked on from Rauru I believe, the ball dropped for Bakky whose eyes were wide open with excitement. The ball moved like it was in slow motion and Bakky got himself in position to side volley it home only to miss it completely and fall over on top of the ball (Eds note: And secure the Pony). The ball rolled away and Bakky just swung his left foot at it and put it into the net from 16yrds (a slight touch from Tom but not enough to claim the goal) 5 nil.

A few other moment’s about the match to mention.

Great game from DC - Great penalty save no matter what the guys say about it being hit straight at you. J|
And another strong performance from Gus, on the right hand side, even though he gave away the penalty by smashing the 10yr old right mid fielder in the 18yd box.

Strong game by Carrick.

Good refereeing by Lloyd and Heath.

And I reckon we rolled the subs pretty well on the weekend lads. No one waited too long on the side lines to get on.

Well done lads and let keep the intensity up for this week against Karori at Ben Burn Park.

One more thing Chris’s wife Jodi was meant to have their baby today (Monday) so congratulations Chris and Jodi! (Eds note: Much like Chris' first goal for the Stallions, the baby might be a little late coming, but when it does come, it'll be a stunner!)

Bakky