Saturday vs. Olympic @ McAlister 1, 12:30pm

What a great feeling to finally get out on the football field last weekend aye? Nice to rack up a win too, even if it wasn't all that convincing ;)

Some good stuff on display though, it was nice to have pretty good conditions to get back to the Stallions style from earlier in the season. Let's hope the rain from this week is finished and we get to play again this weekend.

We are at McAlister Park for the early game @ 12:30pm. Taking on those annoying little Olympic kids and we know they usually get better as the season goes on (they've probably been training the last few months while we've been sitting on the couch) so it won't be another 10 goal hiding like the first round. Play the football we know and be aggressive and that should do the business.

Unfortunately, hat-trick hero from last week (on his birthday no less), Tristin is out this week (unless we really need him) and so is Hodges. It means we still need one more person to sit out and I am a little sceptical of Graham's tactics last week.

This is how it unfolded:
As you all know we had basically everyone available and rearing to go last week so it was inevitable someone was going to be 'rested'. During the week I had a few people let me know that they would be away the week after so it would be nice if they could play this week.
One of these people was Graham. But then…
On Saturday after the game, Graham gives me the old - "oh don't worry I am in for next weekend it's the week after I'm away."
Now the question has to be asked - an honest mistake? Or something more deviant? Let's see if Graham fronts up with an 'excuse'.

Otherwise someone may receive the dreaded text tomorrow night and it will be completely random as I have no other honest way to select.

I will not be going to KP to pick anyone up so if you are coming from the North can you please swing by to make sure the boys aren't left stranded. They'll be there from 11:40am.
And I'll see you all at McAlister at Midday.

Nick
PS. Mike bring the Pony, Gus the headband, and Brooks the Stallion
Also if anyone hasn't brought beers this season, please bring a doz or so on Saturday.

Saturday vs. Petone Stewsmum @ Sladden, 2:30pm

Well it's looking a lot more promising for football this weekend with the sun out the last couple of days but it'll no doubt pack it all in just enough for us to be cancelled again.

If not we are out at Petone, on the Sladden ground which is the pitch over the bank next to the Memorial Park we played on earlier in the year (with duck crap all over the pitch).
Who knows what Sladden is like, but I'm betting it'll be pretty bad - wet and 'crappy' - so here's hoping we get transferred. When are we going to get our game on KP is what I wanna know!

Again, as far as I know we have a full squad to pick from and to be honest I am keen as anything to play (especially after seeing the Phoenix back in action last night!) so might just take Hodges suggestion that I don't have to sit out seeing as I organise. Cheeky? Yes. Fair? Maybe not. Happening? Yep!

So we need (at least) 3 people to take a(nother) week off. There is never going to be any fair way of selecting and I have thought of plenty of possibilities.

• Reward those who contribute most off the field, seeing as we are a social team.
• Reward those who have been in the Stallions the longest (last in first out logic)
• Try to get everyone value for money so those paying more subs or playing less games will play
• Pick our best team (oooo controversial…)
• Reward those who come to training (hmmm what training some of you say?)
• Random
• Make up a quiz to select the team based on results (or use previous tipping competitions results - no entry means 0 points)
• Make up a scoring system of how much everyone 'needs' to play based on their love for the game
• Make up a scoring system of how many brownie points each person would gain for spending more time with their partner/family (ie. The singles have only football to look forward to in the weekends)

And buggered if I know what the answer is so like the great procrastinator I am, I'm going to delay the decision as long as possible to give everyone the opportunity to take any decision making out of the equation.

So further communication to come (if you've been 'dropped' I might adopt Graham Henry's controversial communication method of texting), but otherwise be at KP at 1:40pm or the ground at 2pm.

Nick

Saturday vs. Sealords @ McAlister, 2:30pm

Well, what odds on actually playing this weekend? Pretty long ones I'd say and who knows what the ground is going to be like if we are on. Bloody annoying if you ask me, all I want to do is play some dry weather football!
Incidentally this weekend should've been the last game of the season, and we've still got 4 games after it to make up. Has everyone seen Aaron's comment on the blog though? Sounds like results may be on the full first round and any make up games are unlikely. We are not down for a Sunday game next week which I thought was a possibility.

Anyway this week we've got the cocky Sealords at McAlister Park at 2:30pm. The wet ground certainly won't suit them so hopefully we can spoil their party. Get physical, dominate in the air and hoof it out of our half!

I can almost guarantee we'll basically play a 4-2-4 again this weekend, so our wingers need to play like wingers - up in the other half, don't worry about defence!

Paddy is the only one that is away this week, so we need 2 more to take a(nother!) week off please. I found the spreadsheet I was recording everyone's appearances on and bloody Hodges thought he could fly under the radar and not tell me he hasn't missed a game! So Hodges, I'm afraid it's you and me that are out unless anyone gets back to us with unavailability's. So don't go planning your weekend yet. I'll send you a text tomorrow to confirm.

Mike is on beers and if we do play we need to have a fine session after and also need you all to bring some money to pay off your fines. Get thinking about what we're gonna do with the dosh too, there must be plenty there!

I won't be going to KP so again, anyone that comes from that direction (North) please cruise past. Aaron and whoever else will be there waiting from about 1:40pm and I'll see you all at 2pm at McAlister (not our home game so that's good).

Nick

Oh Aaron, Tristin has been bugging me that the goal count on the blog is incorrect - he's up to 9 with his goal against the Magpies.

We are cancelled - Saturday 26th July

Sorry lads we're off tomorrow - http://www.soccer.org.nz/index.php?page=snr_cancell

So go and get ripped tonight...

And rest up tomorrow...

Saturday vs. Wellington United Elite @ Nairnville 2, 12:30pm

Pretty tough work last weekend and really we were our own worst enemy. We took a while to click how to defend their long balls in behind us to the corners and didn't adjust our attacking style quickly enough either.

Once we started to play to the plan in that second half things started happening and I'd say we were damn unlucky not to draw even, but thems the breaks. We've got to realise when it's not beneficial to be doing ANY back passes and the like, especially in the midle of the pitch, and just hack the fark out of the ball! In that second half I was seriously considering playing a 5-0-5 as there was absolutely no point in having a midfield anyway!

To this weekend though and I'm begginning to think it'll take a lot for any more cancellations to happen as the council look to have just made the decision to play the games regardless of the weather or conditions.
Who knows maybe this wicked wind will dry Nairnville out for us but I can't say I'm confident of a pitch fit for the now second nature free flowing Stallions football…
We do have the early game again though so atleast there'll be no bumbling idiots on it before us. We're up against Wellington United Elite who took us down up at our bogey ground Melrose and I'd dearly love to get one over them!

Be at Nairnville by Midday or KP by 11:40am. We need to put the nets up so the earlier the better which will give us a chance to actually warm up too.

Graham is the only one who is away this weekend, with Panda due back from his injury and Corey also back after it seems an age since he last strapped on the boots to the feet of those beautiful chicken legs.

Even though we still haven't had to put up a ref, this week we might have to so any volunteers before Saturday would be much appreciated as then I can draw up a plan for subbing again. And ideally we need one more person to take a rest, giving us 14 players + the 'ref' (who we'll change at half time).
Has anyone not missed a game this season? (Not counting cancellations) If not I must be the only one and would be happy to take a rest, though I'll still be there to yell at you all (in fact I'll probably be worse not being able to have any effect on the field myself!)

We also need someone to bring the beers, but I think we may have been through the whole team? Let me know if you haven't, otherwise I'll bring them again.

One last thing - I'm not sure on your guys availability for Sunday games, but we have been notified that any further cancellations will result in catch ups on Sundays so please be prepared for that.

Saturday vs. Waterside Magpies @ Cobham, 12:30pm

Great fighting win last week lads. Just what we needed after a frustrating few weeks of unlucky losses and cancellations. I think we were just the hungrier team.

Massive game this week though, against top of the table Magpies who are on a 7 or 8 game winning streak so they will be hungry as anything! But a win for us and the top of the table will really tighten up. And with only 3 standard games left (plus any cancelled ones we make up) these points are crucial to us taking out the grade. Yes I still believe we can do it!

Panda is the only one in doubt as far as I know so if he pulls through we're going to need 3! people to take a rest please. I know it sucks sitting out when you can play but there really aint much we can do. Unless we payed people out of their 'contract' (subs)??????? Probably not worth it this late in the season. I guess it's just a pity we were so short early in the season that I roped in extras.

Anyway Rob is on beers, and the other two top teams (Marist vs. Sealords) are playing straight after us so it may be worthwile sticking around with a few cold ones and firing some abuse? Maybe not the whole game but just the first half? Has anyone else not brought beers this season? Reply if not, then we'll have a coupla doz to entice people to stick around.

Also, I will NOT be going to KP so if you are coming from anywhere north of Wellington (That’s you Hodges), please go past to see if anyone needs a ride. Aaron, it may even be worth organising someone?

Be at KP at 11:40am or Cobham at Midday. And hope like hell we get no more rain this week and even some sun and wind to keep the ground alright as it's no doubt in the same sort of state as Nairnville was after last Saturday!

Chur
Nick

Saturday vs. Petone Dreamers at Nairnville 2, 2:30pm

Pity 'bout the weekend lads and it aint looking much better for a game this weekend either. Though we don't often miss two in a row so as long as the grounds are okay for one game each we should be on (with other grades cancelled). May be out of town though if Nairnville is a right bog.

In unheard territory for the Stallions we have 17(!) available players this week. Jamie is back, but only in the field so it'll be interesting to see what he's got, and Mike is keen to only test out his hammy again, so with only a small cameo he reckons.

That really leaves the option open for anyone who wants to take a week off, could even afford to have 3 people rest. We do need a ref (or two) though, so be prepared to draw the short straw and maybe have to do half a game. (You could look at it this way, if you make yourself unavailable this week, there's no way you'll have to ref) ;) haha.

Otherwise I will make up some sort've selection criteria before Saturday to sit out a few of you. Probably based on contribution to fine sessions - through appearances and dollars…
Either reply or post in the blog if you are happy to sit out.

The Dreamers this week are the only team we haven't played. They had some shite results early in the season but have tipped up some good teams recently so we need to go in hard at the start to put them on the back foot and let them worry about us. Let's get back to our winning ways, there are still plenty of games left for us to claim first place, we just need to fight hard again!

It is the first Saturday of the month so time for a 'compulsory' fine session again. Even though I can’t make it (like I need more fines) as I'm off to the All Blacks test. I didn't want to postpone it just because I can't go (rules are rules) but if everyone is keen to make it next week instead then all good (Just make yourself heard before Saturday).

Joe and Spencer are on beers this week, so we will at least have a few right after the game anyway.

Again, Panda don't forget the Stallion and Tristin don't forget the Pony - I have the headband, nice and UNwashed awaiting you (And Graham)!

See you at KP at 1:45pm or Nairnville at 2pm.

Nick

Saturday vs. Olympic at McAlister Park, 12:30pm

Okay, this is the weekend we are going to turn it all around boys. After a couple of tough weeks where I think it's fair enough to say we didn't get the bounce of the ball, we need to get that winning feeling again and what better chance than against the young Olympic team. By no means do we want to go into it all cocky that we'll rack up 11 goals again though, these guys just beat Wellington United Elite, who we lost to so I'd say Olympic have improved somewhat.

Now, as far as I know we are down Tristin and Robin as well as Ben B and Jamie again this weekend. Graham and Mike, are you two back in? If so that gives us the perfect 13 again, and Graham are you happy to be in goal again?

The game is early (12:30pm) at McAlister Park no1. Again, I will not be going to KP, so if you are coming from that direction, can you please have a think about your team mates and make a quick detour. The lads that need a lift are always there 45 minutes before kick off (11:45am this week) so just cruise past and see if anyone's there waiting.

Panda, don't forget the Stallion (and Pony from Tristin). And Joe, don't forget the beers (and maybe you too again Spencer, seeing as you took yours away last week!)

See you at Midday at McAlister.

Sat 10 May @ Nairnville, 2:30pm vs. Waterside Magpies

Pity about the weekend aye fellas, just when we were on a roll, but hopefully the break won’t have killed all momentum and we can pick up where we left off.

Big match up this weekend against Waterside Magpies who are right behind us on the table. We are ‘at home’ at Nairnville with a 2:30pm kick off.

Some bad news on the injury front – It looks like Jamie is going to be out for longer than expected, possibly even missing the whole season, so maybe need a re-think of your ‘pony of the year moment’ vote – this has gotta be worse than one (admittedly badly) muffed penalty!

This brings up the issue of trying to reimburse Jamie some (or all) of his fees, and we are still short one paying player too (plus Nick generously fully paid but won’t play the full season). So if any of you have someone that could possibly commit, get onto them, otherwise we may all just have to stump up another 10-20 bucks each I’m afraid. I’m especially looking at you guys, Jase and Tristin, to get convincing Paul (and even Panda?). Also Mike B if it looks like he is back and keen? There is still almost 80% of the season left so plenty of games to get into and be part of the Stallions as we claim the Div 7 crown! (And any money towards fees would be much appreciated)

Back to this weekend though, and unfortunately, Stallion from last game, Spencer is going to be away out of town (for a couple of games actually) but Joe should be back from injury and Ben H is back after they were both due to miss last weekend. So with the rest of us regulars, that gives us 12. Waiting to hear back about Paul and Panda and if someone wants to ask Mike B, whoever is back with a yes first (or commits to fees) will be in to take is to a max of 14.
How is your Pommy mate Peter, Ben B? Keen to have him back once he’s over his injury, especially if he’s keen to pay ;)

Get back to me ASAP if you have any recruits (for this weekend or otherwise).

We are on duty at the club rooms NEXT weekend (17 May) so we’ll use that as our first ‘compulsory’ fine session where there is a bit more of a hit for not attending, to try and encourage others to make an appearance and have their say, not just the few that currently dominate! It’d also be good to pay a visit to the Bull & Bear this weekend for those that can spare 30 minutes.

Okay, so be at Nairnville at 2pm, or KP at 1:30pm on Saturday and any extra cars to KP would be much appreciated.

Go the mighty Red Devils!

Nick

Saturday vs. Petone Dreamers @ Petone Memorial 2 @ 2:30pm

First of all, just another mention of last weekend and how stoked I was with not only the result but the way we played. It seems the 4-4-2 is going to be the way to go, especially with our awesome double team up front of Tristin and Paul, you may be struggling to get back your spot next year Rauru – how does right back sound?
Sure the opposition turned out to be pretty poos, but I think we have to give ourselves a bit of credit as they only lost 1-2 to Terrace who gave us a damn good run for our money. But the balls to feet, runs off the ball, width when required and quality crosses (most of the time) met with solid aerial domination meant we bossed the game throughout. There is no reason why we can't replicate it each and EVERY week.

So to this weekend, and we only have 10 regulars (Paddy, Graham and Joe out) – Ben B, Me, Jason, Corey, Spencer, Gus, Aaron, Ben H, Rob and Tristin so we really need all those ring-ins that are available. Especially Paul please Jason/Tristin (How are we going with locking him in for the season?) and Carl please Aaron/Gus. I'll try Dan again as well as another guy Dave, and Ben B/Aaron do you wanna try Mike B?

We are out at Petone Memorial 2 at 2.30pm against Petone Dreamers who are sitting 6th on the table and had a good win against Terrace on the weekend so won't be easy beats. Can you be at the ground by 2pm if going straight there or at KP by 1:30pm. And if you live in town can you please go to KP first so I'm not packing half the team into my car.

Tristin and Jason can you please transfer your subs to me. I am getting a bit of heat from the club so it'd be nice to get us all payed up by the weekend.

Sweet, guess that's all. Catch ya's on Saturday.