U.S 1 v 3 Karori Magpies Ngatitoa domain 23rd may 09

Oh Wellington,is wonderful
Oh Wellington is wonderful,We've got the wind the rain and the Stallions.
Oh Wellington is wonderful.

Hard luck yesterday boys.

By the time most people had woken up capital football had transferred U.S v Magpies From Karori park to Ngatitoa Domain in Paremata.

The ground itself was, considering the weather over the past few weeks absolutely primo, had drained well with no muddy bogs and the grass had been cut which is something the P.C.C has been better at doing than the W.C.C for years, maintaining good sports fields,but i digress.

With a few late pullouts due to illness and what not, the Stallions lined up with 11 players eager to get the game done and dusted before the first stages of hypothermia set in.

Bernard our late notice ring in was only able to play 60 mins as he actually plays rugby and had a game to play at 2.30.He acquitted himself really well and can expect to be called upon if needed again and isn't playing rugby of course, a solid player who committed himself well around the park.

We had the biggest southerly breeze ever at our back when the Magpies kicked off and that meant we spent a lot of time in the Magpies half of the field, the wind was so strong the lightest touch of the ball and it would just run on forever so playing ball to feet was a test in itself.
We gained a few corners and had a few goods long range shots trying to use the wind but it was a Barron time in front of goal.

Their 1st
The Magpies had managed a few times to break through and get their way into our goal box, a couple of shots tested Ben Brooks but Generally the wind helped to blunt their shots on goal.
One attack had a Stallion shoulder to shoulder with a Magpies player who I reckon tripped over his own feet and fell inside the box as the clearance was made,the ref from 48 metres away with a jacket up over his nose and a beanie covering his eyebrows blows a PENALTY he'd have been lucky to see past the lint on his beanie FFS bullshit call of the season in my mind.

So they step up and put the ball into the left hand corner pocket and take a lead well against the run of play. 0-1 25mins

I'll take an angry man fine because that was utter crap and I let him know it too, as did most stallions, his reply "do you want another ref", Umm yeah actually we would.

So we kicked off, regathered ourselves and set about trying to gain the equaliser, having spent so much time in the magpies half it was imperative we score and score from anywhere.
We'd put the magpies under pressure it wasn't hard the wind was really the biggest help every time they would clear the ball the wind would pick it up and send it straight back over their heads.
Knowing that was to be our fate in the 2nd half we all knew the importance of getting as many goals as possible in the 1st.

Our Goal
We'd been awarded a corner and the ball was sent into the box, bobbled around and wasn't cleared by the magpies.
Aaron got a boot to the ball and after taking a deflection it found it's way into the right hand corner of the goal giving U.S an equaliser, Aaron rolling away counting the amount of goals he's scored this season on his hand, I'm not sure why he started counting on the second hand though. 1-1 35mins

The game continued and we kept trying to get another goal to go into half time with a lead but it wasn't to be.

1-1 halftime

Kicking off the second half we knew there were a few things we'd need to do to get something out of the game.
We needed to sit deep in defence the 2nd half, the ball was just going to fly through the air, the second half was going to be the test,the tables had turned and we needed to be strong defensively and be quick to counter on attack.

No matter how you tried to clear the ball if it went in the air it came back at you, fast.
It wasn't long before the Magpies began to use the wind well themselves, we held them out for a good deal of the time and they like U.S in the first half found themselves shooting from well outside the box hoping to use the wind to aid the goals.

Their 2nd
We received the ball back from a magpies attack about twenty five yards inside our own half and a pass made across field became a 50/50 lottery, we got to the ball at the same time and as I attempted to clear the ball it ricocheted off the magpies players boot and fell nicely in front of him with me having to turn and chase he already had 5 or 6 yards on me being unable to catch him he was able to peel off a shot which Ben Brooks had no show in stopping 2-1 magpies 60mins

Not wanting to give up we tried to have a go at the magpies, but the wind and by now the driving freezing rain with bits of hail thrown in were starting to take their toll,with Bernard now having to leave to play rugby the game became even tougher for U.S, reduced to 10 men we needed to put in another hard shift.

Paddy had organised a mate to come watch, Dan he did U.S a huge favour and threw a shirt on that helped take the numbers back to 11.

The magpies started to shoot from all distances they had the wind and were going all out to put the game to bed.
One shot was a screamer, it went over the back of the goal lucky for U.S but not so the poor little unsuspecting school girl warming up for netball between our game and the netball courts she took it full force in the face which had the mums and dads furious with all of us as if it was intentional, so a quick check to make sure no real injury and apologises to the parents it was game back on .

We had some attacks ourselves keeping the ball on the ground we worked it up the field and were unlucky not to perhaps grab something but the wind and some good defence held U.S out

Their 3rd.
With the game getting on we were trying to get forward to score an equaliser not having much luck with the weather playing it's part we began to lose our shape the magpies had regained the ball inside our own half after being given the ball the striker turned me the wrong way and got a shot on goal which sailed into the back of the net giving the magpies a 3-1 lead with minutes to play.

The game would end and the magpies would take all 3 points, the scoreline a bit stink, but the result probably rightly so, they used the conditions better I think, held on the first half and had a right go the 2nd

No need to drop our heads though lads we played pretty well I thought, just the weather was the leveller on the day.

Stallions : Ben Brooks,Mike,Tangi,Jason,Corey,Aaron,Ben Hodges,Patrick,Bernard,Logan,Tristin
Subs : Dan

Goals U.S Aaron

GROUND TRANSFER

It appears we are playing same time but out at Ngatitoa Domain in Mana...an idylic spot next to the sea (for sea read cook strait and all the lovely vespers which will be coming on shore today)

20mins to 30 mins to drive out depending on traffic etc.. Suggest for those going to Kp (which includes Patrick today that you be prepared to leave KP at quarter to at the latest....who the hell thinks they will be able to warm up in weather like this.

The case of the missing stallion

The Stallion has not been seen now for 3 weeks. The last 3 recipients have not received their glittering trophy, and his status is now uncertain. The last person seen with the Stallion was Nick White, which makes sense since he has a history of stealing our trophies (remember the great lost pony saga of 2006?), and has not been at the game/post game sessions since he was awarded the prize. It was Tristin who first pointed the finger, and he's dodgy as hell and has a history of Stallion abuse (remember last season's dumping in the rubbish bin?) so he's got to be a suspect.

We need to find the Stallion, and then settle on a suitable fine.

Goal celebrations

With a bit of talk lately about goal celebrations, I thought it time to bring up some discussion on it.

Aaron claimed that he had been working on his 'ride-my-stallion-into-the-sunset-while-shooting-a-six-shooter' and we would get to see it many times this season. After his match winning goal on Saturday, I think he was so shocked to see the ball in the back of the net that he forgot all about his celebration and instead went for the 'possum-in-the-head-lights' celebration which he last tried to pass off as a 'I'm-Eric-Cantona-and-do-this-all-the-time' celebration. You fooled no one Aaron.

So without further ado, here is a video on how celebrations should (and sometimes should not) be done. 1:38 is my personal favourite.

It was also brought up at the fine session that the next person who scores a goal needs to do the 'Stallion-into-the-sunset-with-the-six-shooter' celebration. I had a bit of a think about it and think that instead of saying the next person who scores needs to do it (which is probably a little unrealistic) we should say that the first person who does it and makes it cool, should get a $5-10 credit. I know, I know, this is hugely controversial as we don't ever reward, but this could be an exception.

The person who scores will have to pick their moment carefully. The key is on making it cool. This celebration after a goal like Aaron's would have been cool. It was the last couple of moments, the scores were tied, it was the match winner and lots of people came to congratulate him. Riding away on his Stallion shooting a gun would have been cool (especially if everyone chased him and fell over after they get shot). Joe's goal that I heard about from either last season or the season before also would have been good. Doing it after a break-away with a one on one with the keeper with no-one else around, or Ben's 'chip' against Elite would not.

I say make it cool, get the credit. Make it shameful, get the pony and a massive fine. Thoughts?

Stallions Benny Hill Moment #34521

Nice header Panda. What's the bet Tangi yelled at him for being out of position ...

Elite Match report from a couple of weeks back

Here

The expected complaining about the ref. Whatever.

And talk about 'their big old fashioned striker' who 'smashed a screamer from 25 yards'. A weird amalgam of Rauru and Tristin? I guess Tristin is more in that mould than rauru, but he smashed no screamer.

Here is a rather different talk - the Magpies dissecting their 8 goal hammering of Elite. Probably the refs fault ...

Spencer and Aaron 2, Stokes Valley 1, Nairnville Park, 16.05.09

Let's just start by saying this ain't going to be up to the standard of Corey's normal match report - I ain't got it in me. But the day didn't start well with Corey (Mr MVP points) having to pull out - hope things are getting better. Twas a bit of a blow considering we were taking on the top team who had only conceded 7 goals all season and were yet to taste bitter defeat.

The game (I think - could be well off target) played out pretty much like last week's effort against Elite, with the exception of changing gale force winds and bitterly cold showers. Stallions had the edge in a tightly contested first half, definitely dominating territory and making better opportunities. A couple of good chances - Logan rocketing in a shot which it looked like Rauru would get to off the rebound. But it was up to good old Smiling Assassin Spencer to break the deadlock about mid way through the half - a glorious lofted shot from about 35 meters that looked perfect the moment it left the boot, flew true, and dropped perfectly below the bar as the keeper's arms flailed in vain. Cue ecstatic celebrations and a lift for the rest of the half.

It wasn't all Stallions. Vegas had a couple of good chances - one well hit shot rebounded off the cross bar, and there was a moment of old skool Stallions madness in the box as about 4 or 5 players all tried and failed to clear the ball, shanks and miscues galore, but it was eventually cleared. Overall though, a great first half from the defence - Joe and Tangihaere especially throwing in some tough and needed tackles.

Half time, Stallions felt pretty good, but knew the changing wind was going to make the second half more difficult, that we traditionally tire pretty quick, and that Vegas were going to throw everything at us. Word was lets start hard and not lose our lead within 10 minutes like last week. Within about 10 minutes it was 1-1 due to an unfortunate own goal. Under the hammer since half time, Tangihaere went to make yet another big save, the ball rebounded of his boot straight into bottom left. Dumb luck - nothing either Tangihaere or Ben B could do - 1-1.

Funny moment. Tristin and I have been working on a new kick off tactic, worked well against Elite. Only difference then was that Rauru not Gus was involved. At half time we explained it carefully to Gus, he nodded approvingly (hell, all he had to do was tap it to Tristin). First time he just runs off with the ball himself, at the kick off after their goal he does something else weird and the ball ends up being booted straight into one of our own players. Benny Hill.

Game got pretty intense and scrappy from this point on. Vegas pretty much camped in our 3rd but struggling to attack the goal. Cue angry skins and gloves wearing striker to clean out Ben H with an ugly, ugly two footed, springs up tackle. Ben hobbles off, Paddy calls the Vegas player a cocksucker, gets shouldered by another player. Things getting heated. If anything it fires up the defence. A little while later after Paddy shields a ball over the line for a goal kick, skins/gloves man kicks out and takes Paddy's feet out. Stupid, pointless thing to do. Steve, knowing he needs to take control, sends him off - Stallions do the good sports thing and allow him to be subbed - just get the psycho off the pitch before he breaks someone's leg! Oh, almost forgot - after this incident (like 10 seconds after) Joe come storming in from the sideline and pushes the guy, potentially starting an all in brawl.

Start to regret that decision as psycho's replacement is a much, much better player who gives their attack more structure and we are under the hammer again.

I kind of forget what happened here to put us ahead. All I recall is standing outside the box with a tingling left boot, seeing their keeper in awe, while Loki and jamie went nuts on the sideline. A great moment sure, but also a heavily fined one. Fined for not delivering on the promised 'ride my stallion into the sunset shooting my six shooter' celebration, also fined for going instead for a Cantona 'I do this all the time, now come and admire my mad skillz' celebration.

The final 10 was pretty hard out defence all round, and some anxious moments. Both Paddy and Panda pretty much clearing off the line, panda with a huge header off a powerful shot. A bit of scrambling, the final whistle, celebrations.

That's 2 good wins in a row against teams above us on the table to put us into clear 3rd. Magpies destroyed Elite 8-0, a result we can look at two ways. Its good it gives us 3 points (and a decent goal diff) on Elite, but Magpies are looking pretty untouchable now - and will have to lose a few times in the second round to give anyone else a chance.

Stallion - Aaron
Pony - Tangihaere
MVPs:
3 - Joe
2 - Spencer
1 - Mike B

Disclaimer: None of this may actually have happened.