Elite 2 Vic Uni Scarfies 4

Scorers: CJ & Shane

Write-up by Crespo

The Orange and Blue were brimming with confidence after going undefeated for the best part of two months. So much so we turned down the opportunity to bank another 3 points with the default and doing the right thing we offered to re-schedule a game against our rivals the Scarfies.

A mid-week Scarfies side is a different kettle of fish to the weekend warriors that usually grace the grounds of Wellington on a Saturday afternoon and boy was this game no different.

Perhaps we were naive in thinking lessons had been learnt in who you can and cannot field for Cap 7 games because their champagne football that graced Wellington College was worthy of Cap 3 +.

18.00 rolls round and the Elite are getting their last minute team talk. Not sure what was said but probably along the lines of ‘hopefully they will turn up soon’.

18.00-18.15 With the screeching of car tyres the Scarfies poured out of the car after having a ground change from their 3rd team practise and with the ref Cory arriving we are ready to roll.

18.15 Kick off – Sorry it’s a bit hazy as wasn’t really paying attention to much other than to my twitter account (Crespo10NZ looking to build on my 15 followers) but I will sum up the first half as follows in no particular order:

-          We discovered the pass back to the goalie. With a new goalie in between the sticks that was confident on both feet and wanting the ball we were able to add another dimension to our game. We played from the back and tried to hold for possession as much as possible.

-          We got caught playing this which lead to one of their first goals. Our own Vic Uni student (conspiracy? J) was caught deep in our own half and with the quality of the opposition they managed to make full advantage of any errors we made.

-          They were able to control the middle of the park for extended periods and were good as using the width playing in between our midfield and defenders and pushing us back.

-          We rattled the bar a couple of times. Andrew & Nips from close range and CJ from a free kick.

-          Injury to Goose, Knee injury, hope it’s not too bad and you’re not out for too long

-          Pete missed 3 or 4 chances.

-          Andrew had two whiskeys in the space of 15 seconds.

-          They scored a screamer taking the ball from close to the edge of the centre circle and dribbling to edge of box and firing it in far post with bad leg. Quality finish 4-0.

Half time 4-0 Scarfies.

To be honest we had played a lot better than the score line suggested with the big difference being that they had the quality to finish everything they created.

Second half summary:

-          Niall turns up.

-          IMO the best 45 mins we have played this year.

-          We were better at making desperate tackles esp in the middle of the park and not giving them the time to dictate play.

-          Held possession, played as a team, played the right way and was rarely wasteful whenever we had the ball.

-          The quality of the football was really good from both sides.

-          Everyone was making themselves available for the pass and we played with a lot better width.

-          Scored a couple of good goals. Shane with a great finish and CJ from an acute angle from a couple of metres out.

-          They only threatened from distance and from corners

-          Pete cleaned up one of their players.

Final Score Elite 2 – University compilation 4

MVP points – Men of match.

2 – Damo. Made a number of great tackles, dropped deep all the time to make himself available for goal kicks, was good with distribution from the back and played a big part in the possession type of football we played.

2 – Decs. Ran all day and was a great linking man between the back and the front.

2 – CJ. Lead the team well in Adams absence. Scored a goal. Provided a great outlet from up the front and again provided a good link between the mid and the strikers.

Note: Big thanks for the legal ring-ins who were able to help us with a few out with Football United commitments.

Back to 4K to watch the Nix beat the Hammers and see both Dave and Adam with the fever topless after 80 mins. Dec’s grinning from ear to ear.

As a side note lads, unfortunately Goose has a tear in his Lateral ligament and is done for the season.  I know a few of you were asking after him.    Thanks again to the Arms lads for helping out

Wellington United Elite vs. Island Bay United Dreamers

Scorers: Nik, Adam

Write-up By SteveO

OPERATION NIGHTMARE

Situation

Operation Nightmare is a physical sporting phase by way of using the sport call football (“soccer” for our USA brothers) to engage in a competitive and confrontational task with one Island Bay United team “Dreamers”  within a social men’s grade league that is Capital 7.

Noting: - This phase is one of a number held each week to select who will win the Cap 7 title.   

Target

Island Bay Dreamers have been a menace to the Elite faithful for some years, their experience and knowledge of everything football has been noted on recent exchanges and skirmishes in the past. Information received from intelligence sources have mentioned to be cautious with their quick run of play and even though they look of an older elk this cannot be taken lightly. In no uncertain terms should you engage in conversation with their keeper in Russian.

Location

Newtown Park 12th July 1230 hours

Grid reference: Topo50 map sheet BQ32, E1765276, N5421186

Mission

To successfully engage in a match of football and obtain a winning result which will either increase our chances of moving higher within the football table or cement our placing for another 7 days. Or as till such time as another operational tasking can be achieved.

Execution

2 – 2 draw hence one point was obtained by either side.

Debrief:-General Outline of operational tasking’s


First 45 mins including extra time.

Elite had a number of their veterans out of the test starting line-up, this meant the a call out had to be achieve mid-week to past Elite squad members and other suitable members with the right operational experience to be able to combat the exchanges and physical demands placed on a men’s social football squad.

Welcome back ex members Mercat Liam and Nice guy Matt to the squad with other mentions to Nips and Rai and that South American rooster their experience and knowledge would greatly help the force that Island Bay would unleash at us.

Sides were picked, stretches were completed and the coin was tossed let the combat begin.

Terrain was rather soft under foot and the recent rain spell over the course of the morning meant judging the ball was going to take time.

A few attacks were repelled by both sides, ambushing defence lines were being held at bay but in the spirit of the game you could see the Elite were ready to play and regain some sense of dignity from their  last battle which ended in a demoralising defeat for the Orange.

Constant calls for offside and slide tackles weren’t being picked up by the ref and you could sense a lot of passion and pride being displayed by both sides what a spectacle to the few fans who attended.

Both teams had members who could knock the ball around and see lines and angles for other squad members to move into to create space Adam and Corey were holding their own in the middle with Niall and Nick running the flanks.

The first salvo to the Elite with a calculated run down the right from Dec’s and Niall and maybe CJ (recorded Radio com’s to confirm) cut back ball into left wing Nick to half volley over the Russian comrade top left corner 1-0 contender for goal of the season.

Elite knew they couldn’t rest on this slender lead with the amount of fire power at Island Bay’s disposal, the pressure was mounting from the defensive lines Nips was holding them out with Todd playing his part down the left. A counter attack came down the right the defence held there position’s expecting a mortar ball to fly in, this happened but the ball wasn’t taken by any member and it fell into the chosen net 1-1...

Elite regrouped and knew we were better than them and we fought back in the best way we could with another yet opportunistic goal from Cpt Adam (acting until his papers come through) this goal showed the passion the Elite members have with that no hold bars approach to social grade football and not giving up. Composure to knock it around the keeper for the 2-1 halftime time lead. I’d say the TAB would have been paying a lot for that score line. Comments Crispy?.

Second 45 mins including extra time.

Formations were analysed and members exchanged for fresh troops, weather conditions were favourable for another attack at the Island bays defensive third.

Rai and Liam were causing havoc up front running lines and causing a general pain for the enemy, CJ was also assisting well from set pieces and corner kick deliveries things were moving well for the Elite in the first half of the second stanza.

A neat ball from the backs into Dec’s with the through ball from CJ saw Rai with a lovely one on one with Vladimir his ball inside to Liam wasn’t calculated enough and was sniff out by the Russian separatist.

Things took a turn for the worst for the mighty Elite Adam had to be pulled from the combat theatre and our South American brother nearly closed his palms to a few enemy players so a count to ten call had to be sounded...

Island bay got their heads up and could see there was an opening for them to take advantage of, the defensive line had to repel a lot of attacks in the next 15 mins with great help from Niall coming on Todd moving up to right mid and Cory and Dec’s helping out. Island bay had watched a lot of the world cup and were diving whenever they got within the penalty box, plenty of banter and sledging was being placed from both sides but you could see the Island bays experience was gathering momentum.

On one such attack they forced Elites defence to come out from the middle and with a calculated back ball in they had two members standing with Dave unable to stop their advances 2-2.

Another few attacks and counter attacks but both teams could see this was going to come to a stale mate with points shared.

Elite still and WILL be undefeated on Newtown park this season…

Exfilled from the ground in question R and R was sort and duly organised in the Mess hall drinks and fines to follow...

Commendations & or Particular mentions


3:- Specialist Operative Todd – For holding the line under forceful conditions and assisting the mid field in the second half pretty much running the last 30 mins the whole time.

2:- Social relations staff Cpl Nick – Good goal mate and only a handful of sliding tackles this week unlucky you didn’t connect with any.

1:- Major CJ – Pretty much directing the forward line from all the banter I heard, keeping the boys in check especially the last 15 mins and attempting to keep them calm under fire a good trait to have...

News Media


No comment to be made to any other persons outside the Elite Squad and ex members any enquiries should be referred to Capt. Adam or Lt Dave... 

1 Elite v UH Saints 0

Write-up By Marcel
Scorers - Steve-O

10am on the dot and the Gameday FIREUP text came through. It was a beautiful Wellington day, fine, clear skies and no wind. Could our fantastic home ground record continue for another week?

I arrived late as usual to avoid putting up the nets as I am too short to do this task skillfully but I don’t want my team mates to become aware of my vertical challenges for fear of relegation to the bench. Too late it may seem.

The team warmed up well and was ready to go; there was a slight delay to wait for the Saints keeper to arrive. Once sorted, Cory blew to get the game underway.

There was plenty of feeling at the start of the game and keen slide tackles from both slides as the pitch was a little wetter than previous weeks. Nic had an early chance come his way but alas he had too much time and drove it into an arriving defender.

There was a lot of play down the left flank and after a bit of a challenge, Damo lost his cool, calm exterior and pulled a handbag out of his shorts to whack the Saints player repeatedly. Cory, the-super-don’t-mess with-me-haven’t-been-laid-in-months-Ref, blew it up and called the captains in to settles things down.

After a few further exchanges, Dave cleaned up a ball at the back and I don’t know what he had for breakfast (or what he got from his missus Pete the night before) but he launched (super smash kicked) the ball like never before – up, up, up it sailed – down, down, OVER HALF WAY! The whole bench rose to their feet and cheered in open mouthed amazement. This must be a good omen we thought - Dave's biggest kick ever!  It immediately put us down the other end (funny that) and we won a corner. In fact we had a couple of corners in 5 minutes what were almost identical. Elite corner sent in from CJ - Elite jump and miss ball; hit Saints, who head it away to safety. I learnt later, when I was on the park, that the issue was something called the “Sun”. CJ was none too happy after the game about this “Sun” ruining his fantastic corners. It is unlikely to be invited back for the rest of the session. Blame CJ for this.

Further into the half, the ball was worked down the left by Dec’s; Dec’s to Nic; Nic put it into the box but no one got to the end of it and the Saints got away lucky there.

The Saints worked their way into the game a bit and worked the ball well through the middle; they let off a shot from longish range which Dave dived forward to save and got it on the second attempt.

The game got a bit messy at that point with players from both sides guilty of diving in. The Elite defended a free kick and made a quick break; we worked it up field well but Andrew was just caught offside.

Continuing good pressure from the scraps and the 50/50’s, CJ got the ball and tapped a nicely weighted ball into the center; with Elite players running onto it, their keeper picked up outside the box to give the Elite a good position for a free kick. Unfortunately this was smashed into wall.

Neil and decks foul Saints. They foul us. Plenty of yelling. CJ steps up for a free kick; the ball hits traffic on the way in; works back to Neil; his Blocked shot falls to Steve, who with years of experience, back to goal, takes a delicate touch to work it past the defense, before a beautifully weighted right hook to the top right of the net. GOAL!!! All Class.
A few exchanges in the middle then we wander off for half time. (Where are the oranges these days Jessie! We are good again, come back)

The Second half.

Early up Damo and the Saints Italian have a really good smash up on the left flank (Pravda flying everywhere), Cory does the right thing and sends them both off to take a 10 minute to cool down.

The pressure and intensity of the game lifts as it is so close.

Adam has a crack and smashes a good ball towards the top right on the net but their keeper dives full stretch to save.
Nic Fouls, they get a follow up, corner after the free kick and nearly score at the back post.
On the break, Nic makes a great run down the right into space but takes one touch too many before sending it to CJ. CJ blocked.

Saints have a crack down the right and have a good shot but Dave dives to the right and punches it away. Good Save!

The game opens up, they have a shot and then we break and miss in front.

Nic puts a studs up tackle in and there is a bit more yelling.  There was yelling all day really. Cory took control again.

The last action of the game was their wing getting smashed in the balls twice in a row by our clearing kicks. A bit of a laugh for everyone except that poor dude in an otherwise messy, niggly game.

Points are Points though and the Elite Newtown Park fortress holds again. Well done lads, more next week!

3 Points – SteveO – Showing off in front of daughter plays dividends, the goal and now the points.

2 Points – Toddy in the middle – Quietly constant, crime analyzer, nuf said.

1 Points – Dave – That Kick, a diving save and a clean sheet. WoW what a performance.

Honorary mention – The Ref – Cory kept that game under control even though everyone had been watching too much footy on TV. Pleased he was Ref because it would have been crazier if he was playing ;-)
 Just saying.