Round 9 - VS Petone, May 27, Petone Memorial, 1pm

Elite 6 - 0 Petone

Write-up by Shane

The stage was set for a good game of football with the sun shining and the game on Petone Memorial Turf (#1).
We were looking to right the wrong that was last week’s game and try to claw back some of our goal difference against the bottom of the table opposition.
The game started off well for us with plenty of possession and good defence turning into flowing attack but it wasn’t sitting for us in the final 3rd and the chances weren’t being taken [que sighs and smirks of the same old story beginning to unfold]
There was a good few attacks that came down both flanks but Turk on the right was enjoying a lot of time and space.
Around 30mins into the first half and there was a promising attack that the opposition thwarted illegally in the box with the use of an arm – quite a harsh call from their ref but the hand did make contact with the ball so no complaints from our lads. After last week’s penalty miss CJ had to be quick to assume his position to take this one as Niall was making his way up from Keeper to try his luck, not quite quick enough Niall. CJ sent the Keeper the wrong way and dribbled it over the line for the Elite to take a deserved lead.
There were a few more good attacks created and Adam was at the end of a good move down the right – he hit a good shot only to have it hit the cross bar and rebound straight onto Shanes foot – not even he could miss from there. 2- 0 to the Elite.
Damo then decided to teach one of the opposition youngsters a lesson on how to leave your foot into a challenge and a small handbags type discussion broke out and some words were exchanged between Niall who had run up from Keeper to chip in and their large defender to which Niall complemented him on his “floppy head” in reference to his mid length curly mop, the game got back underway and not long after the whistle blew for half time, Niall wanted to continue talking to “floppy head” but to no avail and into the huddle it was.
A positive vibe at the break and Dave the gaffer makes a couple of changes in midfield. The changes seem to settle the side and it resulted in 3 chances being taken in quick succession – Jay with a smart shot to capitalise on the good field position and then CJ collected the ball out towards the left flank and squared a nice pass to Turk who had cut in from the right to meet the pass on the top of the 18 yard box and with a first time shot using the outside of the right foot sent the ball into the top left hand corner, class move and finish 4-0.
It was time to allow our class Keeper to have a run in the outfield – straight to Striker as Rori took the gloves.
There was more play and attempts on goal for the Elite – Turk and Jay took turns playing ping pong with the opposition defenders inside their 18 yard box before Jay grew tired of this game and decided to slot another into the net 5-0.
The ref then gave a foul and Clem took exception and laced one straight onto one of the opposition defenders heads – the gaffer didn’t want things to flare up again so he pulled Clem and Shane was on up front to see what magic could be worked with Niall who was hungry for a goal after being released from the confines of playing Keeper.
 
Tim was enjoying some early release from the back on the left wing and cut inside with a great run through towards the centre of the pitch, he then slid a perfectly weighted pass into the path of the onrushing Adam who calmly placed it wide of the out rushing Keeper 6-0.
There was one more clear chance but Shane hit the crossbar off a header from a corner.
The opposition then decided it was time to start to wind up Shane by making substitutions (which they’re well within their right to do) – to which Shane decided to blowout with a cry along the lines of “what the F&$k are they doing there is only 2 minutes left to play – just get on with the game for F%@k’s sake….”.a good laugh was had by the lads.
That was that and now our fate for the 2nd half of the season lies in the hands of Capital Football and their new mid-season change-up…..not sure when we have our next round confirmed but I’m sure as the rest of the team are that we continue with this much needed goal scoring form that was found.
 
MVP points were hard to allocate this week as we kept a clean sheet and also scored a good number of goals.
3: Turk, ran hard and was a constant threat and outlet on the right, great finish also
2: Jay, his 2 goals were vital in helping to settle the game down and his fitness seems to be improving – good running/tracking for most of the time on the pitch.
1: Angus, organising the defence and as usual was great at picking up opposition passes into the final third and releasing our wide players.