Round 15 - VS Olympics TFTs, Happy Valley, 16 July

Elite 2 - 2 TFTs

Write-up by Damo


Well at least the weather turned it on today… back to the field of nightmares for the Elite.

The pre-game mood was pretty humble, until the despair of being unable to field an 11 a side team became apparent.
Ryan out, Gansey (MIA) with his mate, and just the 10 remaining players trying to work out who wants to play CB. Short of the usual masters boys this week and ring ins – this was going to be a long game.
Up steps Patrick into the heart of the defense (much to Adams relief) and we now have some sort of starting formation!
 
Much of the changing room chat was would the savior from last week (Niall) step up again this week… or would he suffer a goal drought?
Heading out on to the pitch, perfect playing conditions, studs definitely not required today lads! (this is how I remember it looked?)

​The Elite for the usual serious warm up and pitch inspection, passing the Olympic lads (15 players) quickly introducing themselves (ring ins) with some players looking like they were fresh off their mothers milk!
The mighty Elite (all 10 of us) were not going to be worried, for we “never loose to Olympic” (isn’t that right CJ).
 
As the game was about to get underway, we heard from the MIA Gansey – stuck in traffic in the Hutt after coming back from a bender in Greytown, the 10man Elite will have to play on!

​We started a little jittery but then settled it down to play some nice football, going 1-0 up with Adam sneaking in a nice little goal on the far post after some great build up play.
Patrick and Tim were settling in nice at the back of the park (sorry Pat don’t think you will be back up front for a while) and the Elite looked to create several chances up front with Ross chasing down everything, but not being able to find the target this week (yet).
 
Then out of no where the Ginger Assassin decided to pull on Gregs old boots and give the Elite the 11th player we were desperately missing.
After only a couple of minutes on the park he had already struck the upright (if he had scored, well you can imagine the stories), but the Elite had now conceded a goal at the other end of the pitch 1 – 1.


The remainder of the 1st half played out with chances to the strikers with some great over the top and through balls from Stu in the middle and Clem, Niall, Roger attacking wide play (well not Crespos wing).
The new boys in the back had done a pretty decent job first half, allowing the midfield some decent ball to play (in between the cricket pitch, bobbles, mud and rubbish).
Not to mention we were winning our 50/50 tackles (60/40)
The Elite had a pretty solid first half.

Gansey had now appeared from the bushes and was ready to take his position on the field.
However man of the match Tim had done enough to secure his left back role in the second half and Gasney was thrust into left mid (yes that’s right!)
Crespo took a well earned breather to go organize the hoodies and Cory / Rory started on the right, allowing the Frenchman his long wait upfront.
 
The second half started to open up as there were some tired legs around the pitch (both teams) and even the ref was starting to make mistakes.
It looked as if the Elite might struggle to break the deadlock with chances appearing but not to the same extent as in the 1st half.
Adam was looking for his second, but was denied off the line by a diving header, Clem and Ross both had their shots blocked or just off target – the Olympic goal looked as if it might not be broken…
Step up the real savoir (Ross), after being called for a dubious offside minutes earlier, he managed to this time chase down a through ball, beat the keeper and start the sideline fans chanting! 

​ 
Unfortunately it was not to be the Elites day, with chances still appearing to both teams, the Elites through proper football and 60/40 challenges, and Olympics through soft free kicks and long range efforts – the Elite goal was eventually penetrated.
Dave had no chance with the slow motion looping shot, after having already pulled off some great finger tip saves, blocks, horrible back passes and all round decent display of goal keeping.
 
So as you can imagine to your surprise the Elite finished with a 2 – 2 draw!
 
This weeks points (apart from Tim) were a little hard to dish out
special mention to Crespo for finally organizing the hoodies (even if mine is already in need of repair) and helping out the Elite when we were a man down
 
3 Points – Tim (solid game, enough said)
2 Points – Patrick (slotted in nicely to his new role at CB)
1 Point – Stu (great distribution and a full 90 )