Elite 4 - Nth Wellington 1

Write Up by Scotty.

As we reach round 10 of the season and off the back of 4 straight wins, it's time for the Elite machine to rumble on to the fresh blood of North Wellington.

Having traveled up to hosts in Johnsonville, it soon became apparent that both teams were going to be up against it with adverse and treacherous weather conditions but both teams manned up and the game went ahead.

The game kicked off with what could be characteristically the new fashion of starting strong, with some great runs and passes, eager to get ahead in the game, whilst North Wellington resorted to long ball/route 1 football from goal kicks that only Sam Alladyce or the 1970's would be proud of. 

The Elite had complete control of the game with Adam, Stu bossing the center midfield and the back 4 dealing with the attacks. Horton was unfortunate not to put us in an early lead with a one on one but was met with a great save and also Crespo just putting one past the post.

However despite all the dominance first blood was drawn to North Wellington when against the run of play they managed to counter on an Elite corner and slotted the ball to a player who was at least 3 yards offside who then ran on to a one of one with Josh to dispatch the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 to the hosts.

Perhaps in the past this could of been a concerning time for the Elite having gone behind but instantly we were back in their faces and pushing for that equaliser.

Stu had what could of been a 'goal of the season' contender with a 35 yard pile driver destined right for the top corner but out of nowhere the keeper pulled off an unbelievable save to keep us at bay.

With the pressure mounting justice was finally delivered when Pete made a fantastic run into the box with the ball at his feet and through a group of players managed to slot the ball past everyone into the far corner in true Henry-esque fashion! A great finish and finally the break we needed.

There was an incident in the first half when an Elite defender slid in and chopped down they're number 8 just outside the box in true 'Chopper Harris' style which resulted in a free kick but I can’t for the life of me remember who that was so it will have to go unpunished I guess…

After the equaliser it was all one way traffic and in almost no time afterwards we took a much deserved lead when from a beautiful corner to the back post, Bryn the Aussie leapt from Down Under (I don't care what anyone says, that's a great pun) to head in our much deserved lead. 2-1 Elite.


Half time


What began with what looked to be like a great, close contest, it actually turned out to resemble more of a training ground routine as The Elite played the second half in mirror fashion to the first, strong, confident and in complete control with no signs of North Wellington challenging for a spill of the points. There was beautiful one, two's. Passing triangle's around the opposition, playing the ball back to one another, truly beautiful football to watch.

From the moment we got our equaliser there was only one team in the game and everyone was too on form to let it slip. Damo, Ganesy, James and Steve were solid at the back. Niall, Adam, Stu and Bryn controlled the midfield, Josh had a solid and confident presence in goal and the strikers kept the pressure on.

The Elite were awarded a corner and Stu stepped up to whip in a lovely in swinger straight towards the keeper only for the keeper to punch it back into his own net, Stu can probably take the credit for that as it was on target and he deserved a goal after the great effort from earlier. 3-1 Elite!

With no sign of North Wellington getting back into the game, the Elite put the final nail in the coffin with our 4th making it 4-1! Adam picking up the ball from 30 yards out to unleash a beautiful strike that seemed to dazzle the keeper and go straight into the top of the net! Great goal and started what was looking to be a rout. 

The great play continued with good passing and team work, solid defending and plenty of pressure but nothing else really happened apart from Horton being the unluckiest player I have ever come across when the keeper just refused to let him score with some great efforts on goal met with equally great saves. I actually made a comment on the side-line that I think Horton may need to get exorcised by a priest to lift that curse, besides that the game ended.

 Fulltime result 4-1 to the Elite!

Another emphatic win making it 5 on the bounce as the Elite's strong campaign moves on! Every single player on the team deserving credit. 

Match points awards:
3 point's - Bryn. 
An absolutely top display, you couldn't fault him for one thing (maybe for being Aussie but not for football) fantastic crossing, passing, tracked back and got a goal.

2 point's - Adam 
Absolutely awesome display in the middle of the park, won everything, linked up well with Bryn, fantastic passing & scored a goal. True captain's performance.

1 point - Horton
Ok so I can imagine maybe a few eye brow's raised then but hear me out; No matter how many time's his shots were saved or missed the target, he never once moaned or blamed anyone/anything else. He just got his head down, worked hard & kept going with some great ball's out to the wings, good through ball's, read the game well, retrieved possession and desperately unlucky not to score. Great enthusiasm. Remember though mate, the power of Christ compels you!