Round 1 - VS Beavers, Anderson Park, 2 April

Write up by Greg

Elite 2 - Beavers 2

After what seemed like an eternity the new season finally arrived on Saturday afternoon. First up was the Beaver's on an greasy Anderson Park. After a promising preseason and a number of new players arriving, confidence was high amongst the Mighty Elite.

The season, however got off to the worst possible start when the Elite found themselves 1-0 down after two minutes. A long ball over the top of the back four was chased down by the Beaver's frontman. He challenged keeper Dave to a 50/50 and managed to squeeze the ball past him into the open net. He paid the price however and picked up what looked to be a very nasty knee injury in the process needing urgent medical attention. This lead to a 40 minute break in play whilst the teams waited on the ambulance.
The Elite spent the time wisely smashing balls at Decs in goal collectively showing the opposition how shite we all are in front of goal!!!

When play finally restarted it was the Elite that looked the stronger side. Although on a couple of occasions got themselves into trouble by needlessly overplaying on a very difficult surface.

The Elite got themselves back into the game midway through the first half when a Crespo corner was met at the near post by Decs with the tidiest of touches lobbing the outstretched keeper.

The Elite buoyed after the equaliser were soon ahead after Ross outpaced the Beavers defence to get on the end of a through ball, drew the keeper in before beautifully lifting it over him to scored his first league goal in New Zealand since his big money move from England. He did however take a knee to the face from the keeper for his troubles, although this reporter thought he looked a lot better for it!!!!!

The second half got underway but the conditions and the opposition's continued refusal to play a single pass under 40 yards made it difficult for any quality football to flow. Both sides struggled to create chances but it was the Elite that looked more likely. A header on to the crossbar from Decs, a clearance off the line after a shot from Greg and a goal disallowed for offside after Ross broke through and neatly rounded the keeper. Thankfully the Beavers had a FIFA qualified linesman amongst their ranks who very kindly raised his umbrella to rule the goal offside.

Unfortunately for the Elite it was the Beavers who were to get the next goal when a header from a corner looped its way over Ant on the post into the corner.

That was to be the final meaningful action of the game and the Elite would have to settle for a point. Probably a fair result on reflection although they could have quite easily pinched all three points!

MVP Points.

Didn't think anyone quite did enough to get all 3 points so decided to spread the points 2/2/1/1.

2 Ross - Ran hard all game, got a goal and unlucky not to have a 2nd.

2 Decs - Talked well as usual, got our first goal of the season and narrowly missed out on a 2nd after hitting the bar.

1 CJ - Took over the gloves for Dave. Made a couple of decent catches and talked well. Unlucky not to get a clean sheet.

1 Adam - Worked hard as usual. Battled well and got into good positions in the box on occasions.

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