Monday Match Report

Wainui 0, Stallions 2 

This week it was the big trip to the ‘Nui.  If this was a practice road trip for larger trips to Kapiti and Masterton, then the turnout of many players at 12:27pm doesn’t bode well.  Time to get those baked beans in earlier.

Conditions:  Fine with a chilly southerly. 

Game started fast and with Bakky warming himself on the sideline, I was restored to my glory days up front.  Why is there so much damn sprinting?  Is this why Carrick hardly talks during the game? 

The wind and length of grass made passing a bit difficult but the game was good quality with both sides having chances.   

The pony award was earned at about the half hour mark.  While lining up a free kick from the left, Gerald gave me the secret nod ‘this is coming to you buddy’.  He duly sent it in over a couple of defenders.  With no one to beat, I rose, closed my eyes, and nodded the ball over the crossbar.    

Half time it was 0-0 but the Stallions have been second-half specialists this season.  This was challenged when the Stallions went down to 10 men and it was one-way traffic.  It wasn’t looking good at all until Phil (the man for the big occasion) Bak chanced his arm from 40 yards.   I’d like to use words like ‘piledriver’ or ‘daisycutter’ to describe the shot but ‘stern backpass’ seems best.  Not sure how the keeper let it through. 

Fair to say, it broke the ‘Nui.   

It was Stallions from then on.  Rauru, after a bit of nose-to-nose with a centre-back, ping ponged his way through 3 defenders and slotted home.  A good, battling goal.  2-0.  Game over.

Huge games from everyone on the park.  Paul was immense in goal, the backline (Graham, T, Aaron, Paddy/G) put on one of the best shows of the season, Milky was up to his usual standards, Dan was seen defending two sides of the pitch??  Anyone else? 

Looking forward to someone else wearing the pink this weekend…

The Longest Trip in Cap 6

The longest away trip in capital six football saw the Stallions trundle over the hill to Wainuiomata. Looking to take all the points on offer and full of bristling possibilities, many a warm-up shot took a little dip in the chilly waters of the stream 50 ( or was it 100) metres behind the goal. However, I am assured that no balls were lost.

With 10 players available to pick from at 12:28, The Captain wasn’t troubled with starting line-up decisions thus Paul, Graham, Tangi, Jason, Spencer (or was it Mike), Logan, Aaron, Dan, Paddy, with Rauru and Tristan up front.

Despite huge Stallion pressure for the first 20 minutes very little came from it. Excellent movement off the ball allowed the midfield to dominate possession, send some probing crosses into the box and with the strikers, pepper the Wanui goal. That set the mood for the rest of the half with confidence spilling over into a nicely worked passing move resulting in a goal to the oldest member of the team, Tristan McLeary, 39 (at least that’s what Facebook tells me). The total domination in the first part of the half lead to some very relaxed defending down the left side by yours truly, allowing a Wanui player too much freedom to put an excellent cross in which may (or may not) have been partly cleared. However it got there, it landed nicely at the feet of the central midfielder who blasted it into the mid left corner of the net, possibly taking a slight deflection on the way.

With the scores tied Wanui gained much confidence although The Stallions did not back down from the challenge and continued to string together some excellent South American style passing. Tristan then scored a fantastic goal after some good work by the midfield: 2-1.

The second half started well for the Stallions, exerting pressure on Wanui. But, with the opposition pressing to get an equaliser another Stallion goal was always going to come and after a short pass into the 18 yard box, and a blistering run, Tristan found himself on the ball facing an advancing keeper. The first time shot sailed to the left of the keeper and rolled gently over the goal line much to the disappointment of a chasing Wanui defender. Tristan ‘hat trick hero’ McLeary brought his early in the season prediction to life. I quote “I seem to not score for a while then they come in twos and threes” (actually that is a paraphrase but it’s pretty close)

Wanui showed their skill seemingly able to pass out of their back third at will, with regularity. However, another brilliant defensive effort kept them at bay. Taking all three points was huge and sets us up nicely to end the season top two. Promotion, although not a certainty, is possible if we win all the remaining games and if the other title contenders falter.

Good to see Joe and Whanau on the sidelines supporting. Hopefully he will be able to return (ankles, hammies and knees strapped) for the next game.

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Pony: Me, for excessive whinging after the ref allowed the Wanui player a presence in the 6 yard box during the penalty kick (which I countered masterfully by also being in the 6 yard box)

Ref: ”Do you want me to give the whistle to someone else?”
Me: “Yes”
Paddy: “Ignore him, he doesn’t know what he is talking about” (or words to that effect)

Stallion: Hairy “hat-trick hero” Mcleary from Titahi bay dairy

I can’t remember the points, and Aaron, shock- horror must be working and isn’t answering my text query. So perhaps someone could post them here somewhere.