Miramar Rangers 2-2 Elite


Write-up by Horton



We arrived in Miramar and we were greeted with what looked like and actual full size pitch for once, and decided to go with a more simple warm up routine which involved a few balls going over the fence and the huge building (not sure how that is possible from 20ft away) but with our shooting accuracy on point we were full of confidence for the game.

The game kicked off in usual fashion, with the Elite starting slowly, and constantly getting found out by the barrage of long balls over the top, this eventually proved costly, as Miramar took a 1-0 lead through a simple long ball and finish. We started to up our game and played nice football on the deck half way through the first period and found joy on both wings, with Crespo looking like he had a stone wall penalty not given, but, no sooner had we upped our game the long ball undid us again, this time with the striker walking past 3/4 of our players and ballooning a shot from distance.
 
The second half kicked off, with us keeping the "Christmas tree" formation, which made us look a lot more solid than previous weeks and we got straight back into our groove. After Greg made a few excellent through balls which an unnamed player failed to capitalize on when being 1on1, it looked like it wouldn't be our day, but, no sooner had these chances been spurned we get a goal through a brilliant free kick on the right where Decs buries in the header. With our tails up, we were pushing forward but were lucky not to concede a few more at the other end, with Miramar's wastefulness costing them eventually, when, amazing footwork and a 1-2 by Horton set him off down the right wing, after he beat a couple of players with agility and guile, he put a delightful ball into the near post and watched on as Decs played a cracking dummy for Greg to score in an open net from 2ft out.

This was how the score ended, with there not really being any more chances for either team and if we want to look at positives, we have only lost 1 game from a possible 4, the other way to look at it is we have only picked up 3 points from 12. The new formation helped a lot, with there being more help at the back for the defenders, and a lot more fluidity to the build up in attack.

   
MVP Points

3 - Damo- For his constant work rate throughout the game, and endless tackles made, pretty sure I saw him chasing the ball at Right Wing, which is pretty good considering he was playing left back

2 - Decs- Scored the First and produced an amazing dummy for the second, add to that an all round solid performance in the midfield


1 - Greg- just because it was from 2ft out and an empty net, still finished well, also played a good solid game in the centre and made some cracking through balls.

Write-up by Todd


Elite 1 - BNU 5


After being transferred the Elite arrived at Hataiai Velodrome and were greeted by a ¾ size pitch of paddock grass. After putting up the nets (a task made slightly harder by the absence of Ganesy) the Elite got kitted out and prepared for a new warm-up drill that involved cones, bibs and a degree of organisation never seen before. However, even the new warm-up couldn't prepare us for what unfolded in the next 90 minutes.

Brooklyn kicked off the first half and immediately went on attack, as they game was quickly dominated by long balls, throw-ins and set pieces. One team thrived in these conditions and very quickly Brooklyn were up 2-0 and continued this form till halftime. All the Elite could muster in response was a lone penalty, drilled into the roof of the net by Webby, in reply to Brooklyn’s four goals all coming from set pieces.

After changing to a 4-4-2 formation midway through the first half, the Elite continued with this formation during the second half and managed to shut down most of Brooklyn’s attacks. In a second half that was much improved on the first 45, we actually managed to pass the ball round a little bit and create some scoring chances but unfortunately we could not put the ball in Brooklyn’s net. However, late in the second half we did manage to score the only open play goal of the game, with an un-named player scoring a well-place own goal into the bottom corner, leaving Dave no chance of a save, thus capping off a pretty miserable result and performance from the Elite.

On a more positive note after changing formation we managed to settle down a bit and play some decent football in the second half, in difficult conditions and it was good to see some current and former elite players on the side-line enduring the match, particularly Horton, who postponed his flight to Fiji to play for the Elite, as only a lucky few get the honour of playing Cap 7 football.

 

MVP Points

Due to the poor team performance on Saturday, I have decided to give everyone ZERO points, so someone else can use this week’s points on a more impressive performance, which is hopefully this week against Miramar.

Finally, the write up is bit short/shit this week as I think most of us would rather forget about this match, so here is a video of some great penalty shots, which we should all study in case another solar eclipse or lunar phenomenon occurs and CJ passes up another penalty.  

Elite v Vic Uni (11/04/2015)

 

The weather leading up to the 2nd game of the season was pretty dire, leading many to question whether the game would actually take place.  Thankfully, the gods at Capital Football decided Cap 7 was to be spared that unhappy fate, and the game was to go ahead, versus the Vic Uni Beavers.   Talk during the week was dominated by Adam and Dave’s “controversial” line-up and the naming of 7 substitutes.  After being dropped for his rubbish performance in Round 1, one unnamed (Pete) Elite player said on Friday night “F*ck Adam and Dave, I’m on the bench so I’m going to get totally wasted tonight”.  That player (Pete) will obviously remain anonymous, but from looking at a few other lads on the sidelines, that attitude was catching.

 

After completing their usual pre-game warm-up, the Elite had the usual team talk from the gaffer and got pumped to get things underway.  Sadly, like Tinder Todd, we were a bit too premature and excited in front of a bunch of Beavers, as the game was not due to kick off for another 10 minutes.

 

Finally we got underway, with the Elite kicking off.  Damo clearly forgot which team he was playing, as his first touch was a through-ball to the opposition striker.  Thankfully, they managed to mess up the chance and no damage was done.  Vic Uni were definitely the more confident team starting though, and created a few more chances.  One particular one-on-one looked as though it was a goal for all money, but thankfully Dave had stopped going to see his Personal Trainer and the ball deflected to safety (via the post).  Turns out that can do more than just pick the ball out of the net (yay Dave).

 

Around about this time, someone turned up with a chilli bin full of beers on the sideline.

 

That chance seemed to be the wake-up call that the Elite needed and we started to play much more confidently.  After generating a few chances, Stu got a loose ball at the edge of the box and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.  Elite 1-0.  After that we continued to play all the football, although Vic Uni’s “late 80’s Wimbledon” style of football continued to cause us issues.  After 1 long-ball too many, they won a free kick on the edge of the box and scored with a free header from 1 yard out. 1-1.  With half-time approaching the Elite were gaining the ascending.  After finally agreeing to come on (and play at his less favoured wing back role), Crespo was causing significant difficulties down their wing.  We managed to work a cross into the box, where Greg rose above the defender and majestically powered it into the top corner with his head.  A brilliant goal and a wonderful personal moment for Greg as he took a one goal lead in the battle of England’s South Coast. 2-1 Elite at Half-time.

 

The half time team talk centred around continuing to play our game and not gobbing off at the ref.  Changes were made.  We kick off.

 

I’m going to be honest and I can’t remember anything about this half, other than Webby giving us a 3-1 lead with a header from 1-yard.  We then let them back into the game, with 2 goals of dubious legality and the game finished 3-3.  Another draw against the Beavers.

 

MVP points always hard to distribute, but I’m going with:

 

3 points - Crespo.  Looked dangerous a lot when attacking his defender.  Showed his potential as the Elite’s premier wing back, probably cementing his position there for the season.

2 points – CJ.  Played wing-back and did not complain.  Held the ball up well when we went short.

1 point – Ganes.  Lots of cracking tackles in the first half.

 

Welington Elite v Tawa All Saintz
2-2
Write-up By Crespo

After a successful preseason with wins over Women, Nighthawks and Arms the Elite were ready for the 2015 edition of the Cap 7 season.
 
Tawa Saintz are always a well structured and well drilled side and there is never more than a goal in the game*.


The first game is always tough especially when you play social football on Easter Weekend and with some late withdrawals and people on leave some introductions were required upon arrival at Redwood Park.
 
Redwood Park was in decent condition and the Elite were ready to begin the season in their away strip.

 

Kick-off

It’s probably fair to say we had the majority of possession without causing the opposition to much trouble. Multiple passes were rare and there were a lot of turnovers from both sides.
 
5 mins in we had a new favourite for the Vinny Jones as our English reality TV star went into the virtual book for a couple of ’50-50’ challenges and was quickly onto his final warning.