Round 12 - VS Raiders, Newtown Park, 25 June

Write-up by Ants

Elite - 3, Raiders - a big fat donut.

First game back in a few weeks for yours truly and we've been transferred to Newtown Park AND the nets have been left out from the night before, happy days!

After dodging a few runners, myself and CJ affirmed mouldies were a go and that it's probably about the only nice real pitch we will play on for the rest of our Wellington football lives, happy valley aside. 
Changed and warmed up, we discussed the fact we were about to play a difficult opposition and to have good energy from the off etc etc. No sooner than the whistle blew we promptly started to amble about half hearted and silent. This continued for the entire first half with the only voices I heard being Decs, rightly berating us and the one in my head telling him to ****ing stop said berating. To be fair to us, we were under constant pressure from open play and many, MANY corners however we kept our line clear with some dogged goal front defence and a few handy saves by the keeper. Adam very nearly snuck a goal in the last minute before the half to rub their noses in it. 

Halftime and a few welcome gulps of H2O, did I miss the lollies CJ? We talked of upping our abysmal energy levels and wanting the ball, something must have sunk in. 

The whistle went and what seemed like a different side started to get into their work. We won more 50/50 ball all over the park and got into a bit more of a rhythm with our passing. 10 minutes or so in, Clem hit a corner from the right which sailed over everyone and into the side netting. At this point I think I saw a blood vessel burst in the forehead of their central midfield journeyman. It was a huge turning point in the match, after relentless pressure for 45-50 minutes we were up 1-0 and they were fuming and beginning to run out of puff. 
We actually began to show a bit of dominance thanks to a combination of better passing, a tiring opposition and a positional change for Clem. All of a sudden we began using the space out wide, in front of me I noticed Legget, Niall and Clem all making the most of it. Bit of practice with the left this week maybe Legget? I should probably join you.
A second goal followed starting from a gorgeous through ball from one of the defence, I believe it may have come from the left back, sent Clem up field with only one defender to beat. He played it calmly to our trusty number 9 (14 why?) Who put a bulge in he old onion bag. 
The latter stages of the half felt like it was all Elite, I would often look to my right to comment to Damo and I'd find he was waiting for a cut back at the top of the D. Which actually segues nicely into the next goal with Clem and Ross combining again, this time a Ross cut back for Clem to tap in. 3-0, should have been at least 4 but for an exceptionally large earthworm that Niall tripped over.
Handshakes, beers, the end. 

MVP points
3 - Clem, changed the game when he went up front, two goals and assist.

2 - Decs, always talking, second half won all the loose ball in the middle of the park and was crucial to improved passing

1 - CJ, always a point for volunteer goalies, put in a good performance too

Sorry about the late send,

Ants