While playermanagercaptain enjoyed a long lie-in, the Stallions kicked off and within a minute Ben tested the keeper at his near post. Unfortunately, that was about as good as it got for the first half as for the second week running we were sluggish in just about every area of the pitch. Only Rob had an excuse for that after taking a ball to the face and going a bit Dallas Johnson.
Fuji took the lead when a Stallions corner was cleared long up the field to the striker who started from a few yards offside. There was no lino though so the goal stood.
The second half was much better. Stallions equalised when Miller headed home a corner and had a few half chances to score again but failed to properly test the keeper.
There were a few meaty challenges going in and their forwards were certainly throwing their weight about. Keggie almost pounded on one of their little players and Bonzo tested the shin pads of another with an ever so slightly mistimed death tackle.
In the end a draw was the fair result. Here's hoping for a proper ref the next time we play them as they weren't happy with our relaxed reffing at Waikaraka and there was some doubt over the impartiality of Bob Dylan today.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Disaster...
... for our shirt wearing brothers. The shoot-out was the most agonizing viewing to come out of Moscow since Police Academy 7. If anyone deserved to score the winning penalty it was JT but the pitch gave way under him allowing Ronaldo to get away with it. Bastard. Anelka = pussy.
On the positive side, a 6-0 win for the Stallions at the weekend. Here is Miller's match report...
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Good game yesterday. First half was pretty frustrating, quite a bit of possession, but their defence was fairly resolute. 1-0 halftime. Second half we were better and dominated possession and I don't think they had a single shot on goal.
Casey and Robbie in the second half had very good games, Casey strong up front on the right with some swooping runs, and Robbie finishing 2 goals, one a little luckily, the second expertly.
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I think we can all agree that was a poor effort.
For stats fans, goals were scored by Gartside, Eden (2), Robbie (2) and McKinley.
We've now got 5 of the top 10 scorers in our division...
On the positive side, a 6-0 win for the Stallions at the weekend. Here is Miller's match report...
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Good game yesterday. First half was pretty frustrating, quite a bit of possession, but their defence was fairly resolute. 1-0 halftime. Second half we were better and dominated possession and I don't think they had a single shot on goal.
Casey and Robbie in the second half had very good games, Casey strong up front on the right with some swooping runs, and Robbie finishing 2 goals, one a little luckily, the second expertly.
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I think we can all agree that was a poor effort.
For stats fans, goals were scored by Gartside, Eden (2), Robbie (2) and McKinley.
We've now got 5 of the top 10 scorers in our division...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Cup Draw...
Due to there being 10 teams left, 6 teams have byes for the next round...
June 1st 2008
Western Springs Villa v Fuji Xerox
Oratia Old Fellas v Blazer
D.W.C. Utd bye
Independiente FC bye
Eden Stallions bye
NZ Chinese bye
Olivio Swans bye
Kamarak bye
July 13th 2008
WSV or Fuji Xerox v Kamarak
Olivio Swans v Old Fellas or Blazer
NZ Chinese v D.W.C. Utd
Eden Stallions v Independiente FC
That's about as tough as it gets fellas. Independiente are top of Division 3 with 4 wins and 1 draw. It's not all doom and gloom though - that draw was against Boca 60s who we just knocked out.
June 1st 2008
Western Springs Villa v Fuji Xerox
Oratia Old Fellas v Blazer
D.W.C. Utd bye
Independiente FC bye
Eden Stallions bye
NZ Chinese bye
Olivio Swans bye
Kamarak bye
July 13th 2008
WSV or Fuji Xerox v Kamarak
Olivio Swans v Old Fellas or Blazer
NZ Chinese v D.W.C. Utd
Eden Stallions v Independiente FC
That's about as tough as it gets fellas. Independiente are top of Division 3 with 4 wins and 1 draw. It's not all doom and gloom though - that draw was against Boca 60s who we just knocked out.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Cup fever...
Boca 60s 1-2 Eden Stallions
A game of two halves in the cup today as the mighty Stallions took on local rivals Boca 60s from Division 3.
The match started in bright sunshine on a good surface and star Boca striker Ahmed Zaoui signaled his intentions with a shot straight from the kick off. Stallions were quickly into their stride though with good attacking moves coming down both flanks. The first good chance coming as Rob broke down the right and centered for Gartside who somehow missed the open goal.
Stallions came close again when Jamie shot just wide after good build up play and Gartside hit the bar from a tight angle.
The deadlock was broken when Andy was held back trying to get on the end of a flighted ball into the box. Gartside dispatched the penalty low to the keepers right. 1-0.
The equaliser soon came though. Boca's giant forward won a free kick on the edge of the box and the jail bird curled the ball into the far corner, with a slight deflection taking the ball away from Casey "safe hands" Eden in goal. 1-1.
Stallions weren't to be denied a half time lead though as Jamie won a 50-50 ball, passed on to Gartside who slipped the ball through to McKinley who finished expertly past the keeper. 2-1.
If the first half was all about the attacking play, the second was all about defence. Bocas came out hard and took the game to the Stallions, giving them by far their sternest test of the season to date. Everyone stood up to be counted. Eden dealt with crosses and long shots, Jiah was brutal in the tackle, Bonzo cleared everything that made it into the box and Will put in a match winning block in the last minute to deny a certain goal.
Final score 2-1.
Special mention goes to the 2 guys who played in the defensive midfield role - Robbie and Andy. Robbie sat back a lot which nullified Zaoui who played very deep and Andy must have covered 10k supporting both defence and attack.
It was only one game but I think it showed we could more than hold our own at a higher level and we're improving more and more each week - only 1 foul throw today!
A game of two halves in the cup today as the mighty Stallions took on local rivals Boca 60s from Division 3.
The match started in bright sunshine on a good surface and star Boca striker Ahmed Zaoui signaled his intentions with a shot straight from the kick off. Stallions were quickly into their stride though with good attacking moves coming down both flanks. The first good chance coming as Rob broke down the right and centered for Gartside who somehow missed the open goal.
Stallions came close again when Jamie shot just wide after good build up play and Gartside hit the bar from a tight angle.
The deadlock was broken when Andy was held back trying to get on the end of a flighted ball into the box. Gartside dispatched the penalty low to the keepers right. 1-0.
The equaliser soon came though. Boca's giant forward won a free kick on the edge of the box and the jail bird curled the ball into the far corner, with a slight deflection taking the ball away from Casey "safe hands" Eden in goal. 1-1.
Stallions weren't to be denied a half time lead though as Jamie won a 50-50 ball, passed on to Gartside who slipped the ball through to McKinley who finished expertly past the keeper. 2-1.
If the first half was all about the attacking play, the second was all about defence. Bocas came out hard and took the game to the Stallions, giving them by far their sternest test of the season to date. Everyone stood up to be counted. Eden dealt with crosses and long shots, Jiah was brutal in the tackle, Bonzo cleared everything that made it into the box and Will put in a match winning block in the last minute to deny a certain goal.
Final score 2-1.
Special mention goes to the 2 guys who played in the defensive midfield role - Robbie and Andy. Robbie sat back a lot which nullified Zaoui who played very deep and Andy must have covered 10k supporting both defence and attack.
It was only one game but I think it showed we could more than hold our own at a higher level and we're improving more and more each week - only 1 foul throw today!
Independiente Reserves 3-3 Eden Stallions
Sunday May 4, 2008
Well it was an awful day, and appropriately, we played awfully.
The writing was on the wall in the first quarter by the number of saves made at keeper, and this was highlighted in the second quarter when they scored 2 goals. Keggie, you are never goalkeeping again.
Fortunately I have been given a special recognition award by the IHC for passing the ball in the box directly in front of their Down’s syndrome striker for him to score what will surely be his only goal of the season.
Robbie did score a stunning goal, Owen scored a dubious penalty to take him 3rd in the Golden Boot standings, and Rob scrambled one in as well.
Markos and Nick both had strong games, as did Dave and Rob, although I am going to stop mentioning Dave and Rob as they have good games every week. Sorry fellas.
It was our worst performance of the season however.
We were bloody lucky not to lose. Jamie managed to do everything BUT not put his hands all over the ball inside the box in the last minute, and how they didn’t get a penalty, we will never know. Although after the wink I saw Rob give the female ref a moment afterwards, perhaps he does.
It was hosing it down, the ground was a swamp, and we were not able to execute the “Total Football” strategy that has been so effective up until now.
Anyway, onwards and upwards.
Well it was an awful day, and appropriately, we played awfully.
The writing was on the wall in the first quarter by the number of saves made at keeper, and this was highlighted in the second quarter when they scored 2 goals. Keggie, you are never goalkeeping again.
Fortunately I have been given a special recognition award by the IHC for passing the ball in the box directly in front of their Down’s syndrome striker for him to score what will surely be his only goal of the season.
Robbie did score a stunning goal, Owen scored a dubious penalty to take him 3rd in the Golden Boot standings, and Rob scrambled one in as well.
Markos and Nick both had strong games, as did Dave and Rob, although I am going to stop mentioning Dave and Rob as they have good games every week. Sorry fellas.
It was our worst performance of the season however.
We were bloody lucky not to lose. Jamie managed to do everything BUT not put his hands all over the ball inside the box in the last minute, and how they didn’t get a penalty, we will never know. Although after the wink I saw Rob give the female ref a moment afterwards, perhaps he does.
It was hosing it down, the ground was a swamp, and we were not able to execute the “Total Football” strategy that has been so effective up until now.
Anyway, onwards and upwards.
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