A winless run which started on 11th December 2021 (399 days to be exact) for yours truly, finally came to an end in convincing fashion on Saturday.
There was a great mood in the camp leading up to the weekend, and once the boys found out that we were once again playing on the 3G surface, excitement was palpable. Despite the wet morning, and having to share the insulting excuse of a changing shed with the opposition, nothing was getting in the way of Kiwi FC today.
A quick fire warm up to shake off the dust from Friday night, a few wise words from the gaffer Fin (looking sharp as always in the full tracksuit), and the boys were off.
From the first kick of the game, we were looking to take control and the early pressure didn’t take long to take a toll on Yorxeters defence. Chances came and went, and Angus put the ball in the net on more than one occasion to keep his scoring streak alive, but alas, the linesman’s flag kept ruling him out. No matter, Kiwi FC sticks to the task, and it’s not long before we are rewarded with a free kick just outside the box, and the crowd holds its breath.
Despite Sebs best efforts to convince everyone that he should take it, the skipper pulls rank, and as he so often does, whips it over the wall and past the flailing keepers outstretched arms. He’s called Fionn Ward-Prowse for a fucking reason. 1-0 Kiwi FC.
The rest of the first half, became a more traditional scrap that Kiwi FC is so well known for. Personified no less than by Robbie Maddog Goodwin at the heart of defence. Yorxeter tried to play long, tried to play short, and tried to play down the wings, but Goodwin was there to stop it all. A truly inspirational performance from our man of the match. A couple more chances for the Kiwis, and a couple more offsides for Angus, and the halftime whistle blows.
A few grumbles at half time from the boys, that “we’re doing so much fucking running”, and some more wise words and a couple changes from the Gaffer, and the second half is under way.
At this point the boys are dreaming of the 3 points, but around the hour mark, disaster strikes. Sebastian Maguire pulls up, and motions to the bench that his day is done.
With no spare defenders at our disposal, a full team reshuffle ends up with Robbie Bradley and Liam dropping into CB and RB respectively, and Pollock thrown on at Left Wing. His first action is to absolutely air swing at an open goal off a long throw in, and you can sense the team is getting uneasy already… surely the curse won’t rear its ugly head today!
The Kiwis aren’t giving up that easily though, and with the team starting to settle in again, the boys are playing some fucking football. Ruairi, George Milne and Skipper are running the midfield with some excellent passing moves, but it’s Pollock that gives his best Mesut Ozil impression to slip Shayden through for the biggest chance of the second half.
Shayden Young 1 on 1 with the keeper. Never in doubt. Bangs it.
2-0 Kiwis. 20 minutes to play.
The relentless pressure is taking its toll on Yorxeter now, despite trying to lock down in a back 5, and Goodwin is continuing to mop up anything that comes near our half. The pressure results in a corner and George swings a delightful ball into the danger zone.
Yorxeter stands still, and Ruairi soars into the air to nod home a simple goal.
3-0 Kiwi. No stopping us now.
The last few minutes result in a mix of decent chances, the boys trying their luck from 40 yards out (notable efforts by Liam and Kane), and Pollock blowing another chance to get on the scoresheet.
In the end though, it doesn’t fucking matter. The 3 points are ours. No one is taking this one away from us.
The final whistle blows, and the curse is lifted. What a day for Kiwi FC!
As always, the boys headed down to the watering hole to celebrate our success, and rumour has it that Shayden and Seb both manage to get on the scoresheet with a couple of lasses to finish off an excellent day all round.
Viva La Kiwi FC Jamie Pollock
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