Round 2 - Vs VUW Beavers, Nairnville Park, 11 April

Elite v Vic Uni (11/04/2015)

 

The weather leading up to the 2nd game of the season was pretty dire, leading many to question whether the game would actually take place.  Thankfully, the gods at Capital Football decided Cap 7 was to be spared that unhappy fate, and the game was to go ahead, versus the Vic Uni Beavers.   Talk during the week was dominated by Adam and Dave’s “controversial” line-up and the naming of 7 substitutes.  After being dropped for his rubbish performance in Round 1, one unnamed (Pete) Elite player said on Friday night “F*ck Adam and Dave, I’m on the bench so I’m going to get totally wasted tonight”.  That player (Pete) will obviously remain anonymous, but from looking at a few other lads on the sidelines, that attitude was catching.

 

After completing their usual pre-game warm-up, the Elite had the usual team talk from the gaffer and got pumped to get things underway.  Sadly, like Tinder Todd, we were a bit too premature and excited in front of a bunch of Beavers, as the game was not due to kick off for another 10 minutes.

 

Finally we got underway, with the Elite kicking off.  Damo clearly forgot which team he was playing, as his first touch was a through-ball to the opposition striker.  Thankfully, they managed to mess up the chance and no damage was done.  Vic Uni were definitely the more confident team starting though, and created a few more chances.  One particular one-on-one looked as though it was a goal for all money, but thankfully Dave had stopped going to see his Personal Trainer and the ball deflected to safety (via the post).  Turns out that can do more than just pick the ball out of the net (yay Dave).

 

Around about this time, someone turned up with a chilli bin full of beers on the sideline.

 

That chance seemed to be the wake-up call that the Elite needed and we started to play much more confidently.  After generating a few chances, Stu got a loose ball at the edge of the box and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.  Elite 1-0.  After that we continued to play all the football, although Vic Uni’s “late 80’s Wimbledon” style of football continued to cause us issues.  After 1 long-ball too many, they won a free kick on the edge of the box and scored with a free header from 1 yard out. 1-1.  With half-time approaching the Elite were gaining the ascending.  After finally agreeing to come on (and play at his less favoured wing back role), Crespo was causing significant difficulties down their wing.  We managed to work a cross into the box, where Greg rose above the defender and majestically powered it into the top corner with his head.  A brilliant goal and a wonderful personal moment for Greg as he took a one goal lead in the battle of England’s South Coast. 2-1 Elite at Half-time.

 

The half time team talk centred around continuing to play our game and not gobbing off at the ref.  Changes were made.  We kick off.

 

I’m going to be honest and I can’t remember anything about this half, other than Webby giving us a 3-1 lead with a header from 1-yard.  We then let them back into the game, with 2 goals of dubious legality and the game finished 3-3.  Another draw against the Beavers.

 

MVP points always hard to distribute, but I’m going with:

 

3 points - Crespo.  Looked dangerous a lot when attacking his defender.  Showed his potential as the Elite’s premier wing back, probably cementing his position there for the season.

2 points – CJ.  Played wing-back and did not complain.  Held the ball up well when we went short.

1 point – Ganes.  Lots of cracking tackles in the first half.