Match Report: Stallions vs Lower Hutt Latecomers - 6 April 2013

Sorry for the late 'blog'.  Have been away.  I'll be honest - its quite late in the week now and I'm struggling to recall a lot of the match.  It may have been the technical concussion I suffered from Dan's corner.

I do remember the Lower Hutt team being a little disorganised.  What was scheduled as a 12:30pm game eventually kicked off at 1:15pm.  This caused what could possibly be the longest and most thorough warm-up in Stallion history.  Is that fair?   I don't know.  It was my first game for the Stallions. 

The game eventually kicked-off with LH only having 9 half-dressed players.  They struggled to defend while we struggled to attack given the multitude of attacking options.  Before long however, Gerald put in a beautiful cross and the ball fortuitously landed on Bakkie's foot and rolled into the goal.  A lucky start.

After that it was all one way.  Paul pin-balled through a couple of defenders and then smashed it into the net.  Bakkie added to his tally and Lloyd? finished off some nice build-up play.  As I said, my memory is fading although I do recall a Stallions goal being awarded by the ref, but then being overturned on appeal by the Stallions players.  I have never seen that in 20 years of footy.  

In the absence of a detailed match report, and since it was my first game for the Stallions, I'll be cheeky and provide a manager's 'appraisal' of each of you:

Dan - a wasted engine in goal (altho pretty good at it nonetheless). Needs to take some pace off his corners to avoid injuries.
Bakkie - a true striker.  Berates midfielders, wants the ball, doesnt come back past halfway.  Nice hat-trick though.
G - ran a lot up and down the left wing.  Will have the highest mileage come end of season.
Rauru - a great referee.  Keep at it.
Lloyd - A solid, classy, and unselfish midfielder.  Reminds me of another Smith.
Chris - great game if I can say so.  Needs a nickname if he is to go further.
Graham - Sets himself high standards.  I haven't seen that much personal disgust for mis-kicks before.  Ever.
Tim - has lost his edge. never shouted at anyone, not even the stallions players.  maybe thats what happens to 'passion' after two kids.
Ian that filled in - couldn't stop smiling.  Could be a sign of deeper issues.
Tangi - came out of the backline to score.  Needs to stop showing off if he wants the players' player award.
Paul - dirtiest player on the field.  Needs to attend a few anger management sessions to get himself under control this season.
that dude that came on at halftime in defence - bloody good player.

Thats all.

Heath Smith