Stallions 3 - 2 Uni Thirds

Back on track! Proving the north result was a blip, an aberration, the Cap 3 equivalent of Mexico breaking their 22 game undefeated streak with a 7-0 thrashing by Chile!

It seems the thirds had targeted us as the game to keep them safely above us for the season. As they wore themselves out warming up, we meditated on that for deep motivation. And jogged a couple half laps.

Tellingly, the back four were still essentially warming up to the task (mea culpa) when a fast break up the right saw a misfit cross fall directly into the path of the thirds danger man Matt up front, and DCs first touch was picking it up out of the far corner of the net.

Five minutes later we were up 2-1 and the very early season cricketers in the nets were heard to ask Paul: whadda ya reckon the final score will be? Two assists in two minutes from Nick and well taken goals from Steve on the break and Jules on the half volley from 25 yards. Ole'!

The thirds looked a little brittle in the middle at the back and the 3-1 half time lead could easily have been more with a good save on the line to a Heath header off a corner, and Steve (I just can't get a hattrick this year) Davey rounding the keeper to hit the far post and back across the goal. (Not a bad problem that; bit like Bevan Congdon's reported weakness in the mid 170s in the 1973 tour of England. )

Second half was harder work. I think the wind changed. The thirds midfield certainly did, with the fresh faced kid with the undercut on after being benched first half for turning up late (but before most if not all of the stallions I suspect.. ) Fitness may have been a factor too.

They made more chances than us, and may ultimately feel a bit gutted with the score especially after Big red bearded Kev up front has his pen and rebound batted away by Paul. One well taken goal after Dan was out gassed on a long ball for a byline cross right into Kev's path four yards out.

Excellent tenacity to hang on, and another solid all around effort. Special mention to Nick for the rare appearance of his stand on the ball step over move a little after The two assists, and lots of running in the second half.

Pony contenders: Gerlald Joe for hamstring twang repetition, Paddy for screaming at Graham to recover shape after he'd stopped to check on Jules' little Florence after rhino-ini one into her head from close range, Carrick/ Steve for the friendly fire incident when milky was shooting from the edge of the box into an otherwise empty net.

Goals: Steve 2 (Nick, ?), Jules (Nick)

Stallions: DC for going full Peter Schmeichel by saving the pen, then unlocking the cheat code to enable levitating flying squirrel mode and deny big Kev on the follow up.

Stallion or pony worthy for Rauru for fronting with a hangover, fessing up, but tearing into it second half?