Elite 2 - 8 Tawa

Write-up by Jason

​Four days back in the country and I return to find the team had succeeded in being promoted whilst struggling to find 11 each week. Way to go guys! Looking around I saw a lot of new faces, some new and some ring ins. Ok, we'd done well so far, so today should be no different.

On to the game and as is usual the first 5 minutes was a tussle, each side sounding the other out. A simple through ball by the opposition had their striker baring down on goal, only a last minute lunge prevented a shot, but calls went up for a penalty that was not given, probably cause the ref had worn his sunglasses rather than his spectacles. It wasn't long before the opening goal was scored. A clean shot from the edge of the 18 yard box curved round the keeper and gave Tawa the early lead. 

We tried to put it behind us by making a couple great runs down the left and found some good touches, but alas Tawa had the ball again and was on an attack. Again from just inside the 18 yard box they had another strike and scored again. 2-0 down in a matter of minutes. Don't hold your breath waiting for the miraculous comeback because within a few more minutes it was 3-0. All hope of it being early game jitters was gone. We were looking down the barrel of flogging. We still fought to make it a game but heads were certainly dropping. 

I'll be honest and say I don't remember the sequences but I think the fourth goal came from a strike out on the corner of the box and into the top of the net, actually a pretty good goal. The fifth might have been one of Tawa strikers getting a lucky deflection fall to his feet and calmly side foot it into goal. Our goalie Rori did make a couple of good saves, tipping a goal bound corner over the cross bar at full stretch.  The luck we were having was on full display when trying to clear a ball from near our goal mouth, an attempted clearance ricochet off a few players and unkindly was deflected into our own net. Such was the way the game was going. So we are 6-0 down, bring on half time. No wait one second, we still had to endure a bit more suffering. An unfortunate kick struck the arm of our player and harshly the ref saw this one and awarded a penalty. And is typical 6-0 up in the first half fashion they let their keeper take it. The penalty struck the arm of our goalie but unfortunately still went in. 

So with a 7-0 half time score line our mid game chat was actually quite positive. Not that we'd win but that there was still some enjoyment to be had on the rather nice day. A personnel adjustment, saw Rori move to the outfield and myself go goalie, Rolf hung onto his temporary promotion to centre back and Shano took the winger roll from Lucas.

The second half started much better we were composed and enjoying some much needed time on the ball. We made some great combinations, some quick passing of the ball and looked like we'd make a game of it... well at least one half of it. Tim and shane were working well down the right and making great gains. Stu was busting up their midfield plays and Rolf was solid in defence. 

The first break through came with some nice passing down the left, Stu to Paul to Steve, who calmly passed the ball into the back of the net. We were off the mark and starting to enjoy some football. Our second goal came from a run by Shane down the right, he managed to get one on one with the keeper and clinically dispatched it.

We were on a roll and Tawa started to get really nervous. We were creating chance after chance and it was only either a really good or lucky goalie who was keeping our score to 2. A run down the left saw the ball go over the side line and a tussle between their player and Rori. A throw in from Rori into the Tawa player erupted into some pushing and shoving. The cool head of the ref gave each player a 5 minute stint on the sideline. 

Our opportunities kept coming, a close header, a looping shot from distance, an another one on one, it felt like we were only moments from our third. Tawa were making some breaks and found themselves with the ball on the edge of the box. A swinging shot from them left the keeper at full stretch but unable to prevent the Tawa 8th goal. 

An that is how it ended. Our worst loss (I think) for the season. With what felt like a makeshift team and people playing out of position. Lets hope we can recover for the next week.

MVP points,
3 – Stu, Usual class football even when we were under the pump
2 - Tim, A work horse from start to finish, plenty of full field length runs
1 – Rolf, Solid in defence when called upon, didn't complain and just got the job done.

Write-up By Shane

Elite 1 - 2 Cosmos


Flying high the newly promoted Wellington Utd Elite were full of confidence after sealing promotion by beating the top of the previous grade in a hard fought battle.
There were ominous signs when the team arrived – well those that could get there at the designated time anyway – Rori was standing around WAG on arm and standing in a muscle shirt - the Temperature would have been lucky to be in double digits. CJ was quick to walk up and without hesitation the words “that’s a fine” came freely from his mouth.
While getting changed the Elite were confronted by a self-appointed referee (more on this douche bag later) who made it known that for future away fixtures we had better have a 2nd strip available as our socks matched that of our opposition……such a nice guy though let the game go ahead, that’d be the last favour the Elite would receive.
The warm up run by Rori was quick to get underway – looking to impress the WAG I’m guessing. The Elite seemed up for the game – a few new faces in the line-up as is the norm.
We caught a glimpse of the opposition and to our surprise they appeared to be a Masters squad, crafty older guys was the thought and our observations were to be proven with some gamesmanship once we got underway.
A makeshift starting 11 was finally advised to the squad after much confusion, we took to the pitch and had a slow start with the opposition spraying some passes around and when we got on the ball we were rushing from defence to attack with ambitious balls. Once we settled in though the Elite started to fine space in behind the fullbacks which we were unlucky not to able to convert. Que the ref to start to get whistle happy and for any 50/50 contested balls he would blow things up not allowing much flow for either side. After some fast paced end to end football from both sides the half time whistle blew – the ref was happy to be able to blow his pea again so everyone went into the break reasonably happy other than Dave who on the sideline was shown a yellow card for asking a question of the ref on a basic call he got wrong…..
The Elite chattered at half time about playing more passing football with the ball on the ground as the long ball up to the strikers wasn’t getting us much reward.
The second half started and we started linking together some good phases of possession and passing which was a bit of a confidence boost for the squad. With a sweeping fast paced break down the left wing Travis broke into the box and managed to square the ball under pressure by 2-3 defenders as well as the keeper, Shane was lucky to just have to react with a side footed finish into an empty net 1-0 Elite.
It wasn’t more than 5 minutes later and the opposition managed to break free and their strikers linked well for an equaliser 1-1.
Both teams were trying to get into the game and assert themselves – trouble was the ref wasn’t allowing anything and was still blowing his whistle far too often, the Elite were guilty of talking back and asking too many questions of the ref – warnings were given to the Elite lads and Shane as captain was growing increasingly frustrated.
There was some good fast football working for the Elite with one move seeing Turk break into the box and have a challenge put in on him only to be able to lay the ball back to Shane who may have snatched at the chance a little and their keeper managed to make a great reflex save.
Tim and the Elite defence were dealing expertly with the Olympic strikers and giving them nothing it was impressive to watch how we kept thwarting each wave of attack they tried.
The ref blew for yet another free kick or three for Olympic, I can’t recall if it was a free kick or a corner which was poorly defended by the Elite – CJ was blocked in goal and one of the Olympic centre halves managed to bundle the ball into the net using his chest on the far post, disappointing for the Elite who had repelled these situations well up until this point 1-2.
The Elite created a few more chances but the ball just couldn’t find the back of the net, either their keeper would make great saves (with plenty of noise from their supporters) or our shots would be partially blocked.
Rolf asked the question of a hand ball in the Olympic penalty area where the ref responded with a “that’s never a hand ball” referring that a raised elbow in the box is a natural position……yellow card for the question though.
Rori then decided to check a couple of their attackers and after a little bit of “banter” with the ref he was shown a yellow also.
Not long after and Rori was penalised for a push and then spoke to the ref in a way that ref regarded as disrespectful and was shown a straight red, first in Elite history we were later informed by CJ. Harsh call and something Rori was remorseful of afterwards.
10 man Elite were taking the game to Olympic and the opposition were becoming very nervous and sitting deeper and deeper allowing for the Elite to be camped in the opposition half. The Elite just couldn’t make it count and the game ended, guttered!
The Elite’s first game up in Cap 5 didn’t go to plan but we showed we are more than capable in this grade and we should take confidence from how we played in patches.
 
MVP points,
2 – Tim, great game and dominated their attackers.
2 – Stu, for someone suffering from the Flu he was all over the pitch and providing great link play in Midfield.
1 – Travis, a great outlet and gave us good impetus in attack.
1 – Isaac, great composure on the ball and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet late in the game.

Elite 2 - Tawa 1

Write up by Turk.

​The Elite went into this top-of-the-table match with modest expectations; With always-late Turk responsible for the kit, Kengo shuffling the letters of his name into “K, Gone” and many other players away, it felt best to assume things might not go well against the league’s top team. At stake was the possibility of an Elite victory seeing both teams promoted into the dizzy heights of Cap 5. 

But things got off to an unexpectedly fantastic start!
Turkey was early and 100% of the things that were washed were clean *and* dry. Other things that were left hidden at the bottom of the bag… yeah not dry.  This upset CJ as he fished out a soaking old keeper top that was supposedly his favourite (I call BS - he just wanted another angle to fine a Turk!). 

The warm up was pretty tame for such a big match. No shooting drill was had and no high tempo preparation. Would this be regretted?

The early minutes of the game saw the teams trading jabs and sizing one another up. After 10 mins it was hard to get a read on who the important players might be. And then Tim stepped forward with a right hook to their previously untested jaw! The build up to the goal was efficient as a central ball was controlled by Gav and laid on for an onrushing Tim. From 18 yards he first-time curled low into the bottom right corner, clipping in off the post! It came a bit too early and unexpectedly to generate the kind of celebratory response it warranted but it was a quality strike.  

From there concerns grew that we might be on the ropes for a lot of this game holding on to our slim lead. Much of the first half involved us throwing possession away as the low sun blinded us on attack. But as good as their mids and attackers threatened to be they found our defence formidable and any spark was quickly nullified. Angus was a monster getting a head or a toe on all incoming balls. At one point he took a body shot that left him winded when blocking a goal-bound shot, but he was back for more punishment instantly. Dan on one side of him looked far too comfortable for a guy who’d already clocked 90 mins. And Faizulla continued his good form (better every week) by combining determined defending with a genuine attacking threat running out from the back. There were a couple of times where he overlapped and continued his run up the pitch which I don’t think we expected so he never got the ball back, but it’s a real option now we know about it. 

Apart from Tim’s goal I think our only other first-half attack was a Tim cross that dropped invitingly for a Rolf Van Persie half-volley that dipped wickedly and skimmed the top of the crossbar. Rolf made a noise that made you think he knew it was a great chance to avoid a nudie run at end of season!

Into the 2nd half and we fortified the defence for another onslaught. The mood of the game was pretty good so far - there wasn’t any real aggro in the 1st half but as the minutes ticked by in the 2nd you could feel tension building. They were frustrated and it only got worse for them :)

CJ made 4 or 5 top saves that kept them out. They were getting quite a lot of shots from the edge of our box but CJ was getting his feet or his guts or anything in the way to repel the threats. He wasn’t getting any peace -  the poor guy just wanted to have a nap in the goal to clear his hangover.

So it’s 1-0 and our defence is keeping us in the game when a counter attack opportunity sees Turkey receive the ball at halfway. He sees Tim bombing it down the left and releases an optimistic through-ball for him to chase. Tim turbos ahead of the defence to collect it, takes it wide, looks up and sees the goalie has left his near post empty while anticipating a cross, so he casually slots it into the net from a tight angle! Wow! I loved the goal but I also loved that their keeper was embarrassed - he’d been a thoroughly sh1t bloke all day :p

2-0 to us only increased the tension and Tawa did then find a goal. A long ball from the centre back should have been prevented by Turk and then cut out by Faiz but was just missed and despatched into the corner by their striker, 2-1.

Angus ratcheted up a gear as the opponents turned the screw. One massive tackle at full stretch melted one of their attackers as he prepared to shoot, leaving him clutching an injury but it was a solid fair tackle. To make matters worse for Tawa, Damo came on for some extra niggle, and Rori had gone full beast mode by 2/3 of the game breaking up play in defence and midfield - and even howling in approval at Angus’ mega tackle. But the thing that really upset them was Rori punting a ball into the next field to delay their throw in. Some real hate was generating - in particular from their screw-loose in goal.

Into the last 15mins and all the energy saved from the no-warm up would be drawn upon - a masterstroke by Rori. We had a couple of long shots towards the end, including Tim trying for a magical hat-trick goal from 30+, and Paul Gav-scogine chipping over a defenders head with his left to shoot with his right, but nailed it at the keeper. Gav had a good game and looked at his best when he took extra touches to hold up play.

A mention too for Rahmatulla who had his best match yet - making good tackles on the wing and offering an option to receive the ball. One area for him to focus on is nailing that final pass/cross - keep going and it’ll come. He nearly burst his lungs with a couple of big sprints in the 2nd half including one that ended with a two footed lunge to try stop a ball going out. It was clearly a long-jumping technique he’d picked up from Newtown 1 and I’m betting it caused a mean wedgie.

Every single player put in a shift (oh, forgot to mention Isaac was a WALL in midfield) - it was an epic team win and one to be well proud of. As it transpired we did finish 2nd in the table and are promoted to Div 5. Well done boys!

Hard to choose where to spread the points but :

Points
3: Tim - a very good performance everywhere.
1: Faizulla - good in defence and attack
1: Angus - a monster of ball winning, comms and leading by example
1: Rori pips CJ by a bawhair with his commitment to winning via any method necessary.

Write-up by Travis
​
Elite 4 - 3 VUW
Never Say Die
To say that conditions were great for this game would be an understatement. Arriving at the Newtown park home field the sun was shining, the air was warm and not a breath of wind was to be found. It was a great day for football.
While we were conducting the pre-game warm up it was evident that the university students were still trying to wake themselves up from the night before. Starting with 10 men, or was it 11? It seemed that this was going to be an easy win for the Elite! Straight from kick-off we had two near goals originating from the left side. A nice through ball to myself on the wing, the defender was still reminiscing about neckin’ a cold one with the boys and barely registered he was on the field. I was through! a cross to the center was looking prime for the Elite to take an early lead! The ball met Shane’s head but glanced off to the right of the goal, no worries we’ll get the next one! The next one came not two minutes later, unfortunately the defenders managed to cause enough of a nuisance that this was also thwarted.
With a few more attempts to score and for no lack of trying, we were still yet to find the back of the net by the 25-minute mark. It was about this time that the reinforcements arrived for the university team. By sheer luck and against the run of play the uni students managed shake-off the stupor and score. What became very evident at this stage was that there were two key players that the Elite needed to shutdown if we were going to win this. Too late! A long through ball was sailing towards our last defender Tim. The Elite could only watch in disbelief as the charging university student managed to rattle Tim enough to cause a fumble. The Elite were scrambling back - it was futile. The uni student was already likening the back of the net to the mystery girl from last night, but this time he was going to score! The Elites recent signing of a new keeper, Kengo, meant he was going to have earn his keep! The ball was blasted with all the power a man seeking redemption can muster. Two to Nil.
The Elite had mission impossible ahead of them. The University students were now fully awake and here to play. An absolute cracker of a through-ball from Isaac gave us the first opening. The Uni goalie was running to intercept, the ball was received on my left foot and re-directed to the right. “Fuck!” the Goalie realised his mistake but it was too late. The second touch off my right foot slid the ball easily into the goal, 2-1, we were back in this! The uni students were livid. Unbeknown to the Elite, one of the students took to the challenge. A series of passes meant he had the ball just outside of the Elite box. With a little too much room he rocketed the ball in the top left corner, 3-1. Devastated. Play continued with some unreal challenges from Rolf and even a pirouette that had two uni players seeing stars! Levi was consistently creating chances in the mid and giving some hope to the Elite.  It was from one of these chances that a cross into the box was carried into the goal by Saji and an assortment of uni players. 3-2, the Elite knew they could draw from here!
It was on that note that none other than Chris comes flying in from the right. Breaking ankles with an assortment of turns, Chris was leaving a wake of destruction. The Uni students started seeing the danger and closed in. Knowing that the he had run out of time, a wild stallion of a toe-poke was his only option. The goalie, still in shock at this primitive technique, was unable to scramble in time - 3-3! We had done it! We had managed to claw our way back to a tie! While the Uni students were throwing a tantrum to our referee Dave, Isaac came up with a plan. How about we score again? The ball was passed around the back, out to the right, and back into the center to Isaac. The Uni students were about to realise that class was still in session. With a snap of his boot Isaac was sending the boys home to nurse their sadness with a pack of diesels. Four to three.
Rolf wasn’t satisfied. He needed something more tangible. A rugby league challenge which would have left Sonny Bill-Williams proud did just that! A few last-ditch attempts by the students to grab the tie were dashed with excellent goal keeping by Kengo and brilliant work in the back. The final whistle blew, the Elite had done it.
MVP Points
2 – Isaac  - Providing the defensive support whilst also sending crucial through balls meant that he was putting in 110%
2 – Levi – Creating an abundance of chances in the midfield and making good challenges on advancing attacking moves
1 – Rolf - Was in every challenge and winning. Installed fear in the opposition with pirouettes and shoulder charges.
1 – Shane – Causing mayhem up the front and constantly ready to run for every ball.