Round 2 - Vs Mysterions, Wakefield Park, 11 April

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Write-up By Stu

Elite 2 - 3 Mysterions

It’s Monday night footy and I’m not sure if Ganesy is hung over, he better be, he plays better when he is, that’s a fact.
Second game of the season, under lights, Wakefield Park, Miramar Mysterions and just under 10 hours before kick-off some of the Elite are putting their hands up for time off. Clearly Ganesy is sober as this kind of carry on suggests he may of, in fact had a sober weekend? Weird! Ganesy you are Weird.
We have had a couple of good hit outs against Miramar in the last couple of seasons, I believe last year we lost one and drew one, or were they both draws? Funnily enough I did the write up for the last Miramar game at Martin Lucky and from memory the conditions actually played a part in the match. For those that were there, they will remember how the six yard box saved 2 or more certain goals and actually ended the game with a higher save percentage that Dave in goal. It was particularly amusing to watch Dave splash about in the box and throw mud on himself like a hippo trying to keep cool in the summer.
In mental preparation for the match, I took to the Capital Football website to see how the first round went for Miramar and also to check in at the points table. Turns out Miramar played the Wainui Undertakers and lost, so they will be pretty pumped to turn this match into a positive result given their season opening loss. ​

I must admit, I am a little concerned about how many Hutt teams are in our grade this season. It means I/we are going to have to travel to the Hutt on at least 3 occasions, maybe more.
So the line-up came out, full squad and 6 on the bench, a pass out was offered to those carrying niggles. A flurry of emails followed as a number of the Elite team opted for the night off. That number of 6 had now shrunken to 2.

As I arrived to the ground, the wind had really got up, it was going to be a vintage Wakefield park game of footy. Favoring one side of the ground, as both teams battle against the prevailing Northerly. There were a few new faces this week. Welcome Roger and Clem (who was a ring in for a ring in, thanks for coming along, we might have been a bit short on numbers otherwise).
Thanks to Adam and Decs for volunteering to ref a half each!
And the last thanks and a massive congratulations really goes to Niall who played his 100th game for the Elite. A true ambassador for the Elite and the club, you have put in loads of effort on and off the field, whether it be committee work, stats keeping, fine mastering, ref, organizing events, Futsal, getting fired up, smoking, entertainment source, drinking beer, rubbing his belly, being Scottish, nut offs, Big spoon, laughs and just generally being a GC!! Thanks for all your efforts!

So on with the footy, Adam blew the whistle and we were off a pretty fast paced game with both teams struggling with the conditions with the ball flying all over the place making it hard to get the ball under and play to feet. This was always going to be the challenge of the day. The team that could control the ball best, was going to have a the best of the evenings opportunities.
It was the Elite that opened the scoring first with some nice movement and good passing from the back, through the midfield and a great ball to Ross, who broke free and pretty calmly put the ball into the back of the net. Elite 1 – 0 Miramar. This shocked the Miramar team who had probably had the better of the opening stage of play, some of the Miramar lads (number 11) got particularly upset and started mouthing off at his players, our players and anyone who would listen. I one point I told him to calm down and he got all up and in my grill, and politely told me that he would not calm the F%#k down, please don’t tell me to calm the F%$k down. At this point I thought he was actually going to try and eat me. Scary stuff.
This fired the Miramar lads up and they really pushed us hard to get a goal back and it wasn’t long before they did just that. I find it hard enough to remember our goals, so I certainly don’t have any recollection as to how they scored. 1 – 1
This is kinda where my memory of the game lapsed, I know we went ahead 2-1 through another goal from Ross, I think. Actually I’m not too sure on that, apologies to the person who may have got the second, but Ross gets 2 goals.
But what I do remember is how well, despite losing and conceding 2 more goals, our defence played at times, Damo, Steveo and Greg all made many many tackles and at crucial times that really saved us from a potential wooping. We too had a number of chances, but it was just one of those games when you want the clock to spin faster so we can hold out for a point. So 3-2 on the night, not a bad effort from us but they were just a little quicker and probably a bit fitter overall at this stage of the season.
The memory I’ll leave you with was a goal keeping display, and as I mentioned above it could have been more, but if it was not for the defence and some of Dave’s cat like reflex saves we could have really been down and out earlier on (especially if Dave had of thrown that one in his own net…).
Dave, probably the most reflex saves I’ve see you make in a match, you also made some good decisions to get the ball moving from the back quickly, came out early too when some through balls were put through to you.
Personally, I never give a goal keeper any MVP point if they concede goals (seen as a bit harsh by some), but on this occasion I’m going to alter my stance and give credit where it is due.

There was not absolute stand out and most played pretty well given the conditions but this is how I saw the MVP point tally up.

Dave 2
Ross 2
Steveo 2
Damo 2
Niall 100
Thanks to the Orange one for coming along and supporting. Yes another new name for Chrispy, just imagine a ginger Jose Mourinho