The Marauders started to assemble at the unlikely time of 11:15 so two games could be played in the same ground. The logic of this seems a little incredulous in hindsight as the other game was played on the adjacent ground anyway. An impromptu game if forwards and back was mooted by Wilson and Dribble, who proceeded to make up the rules as they went. Their blatant stacking of the deck was not enough as Fold and I ran out 3-2 Victors. The usual lacklustre warm up ensued.
Special mention must be given to the Blazers for their commitment to the retro theme. Their team is clearly from the pre-plastic era, using what amounted to a 2 by 4 for the corners posts. They also come from a time where tent pegs were a rare commodity, only managing to come up with 3 pegs and we resorted to weighing down the nets with drink bottles.
The game begun and the Marauders were quickly on the back foot, conceding a corner, this was defended well and we were quickly on the fast break. This was the story of the half really with the Blazers happy to hold the ball and the Marauders instantly pushing forward every time we had possession.
The Marauders ‘all out attack’ style of football paid off when Bowie was put through on goal. He managed to beat their keeper to the ball and slotted it past him before giving the keeper a knee in the chest. He managed to use his usual theatrics to make it look like an accident, 1-0.
The pre-game team talk about rolling subs was then heeded as I subbed myself off for Pete. It appeared that I may have been the only person who was present for that discussion as my stay on the sideline seemed to drag. It took Wilson pretty much individually asking everyone on the pitch before ‘the chosen one’ finally went off. A very un-marauder like display.
The blazers were then presented with one of their few opportunities of the match, a turnover in the midfield was seized and the ball was lofted into our box. It was well controlled and put away well out of reach of a defenceless Bolts. 1-1.
The rest of the half was notable for everyone else joining in Bowies and Lamos contest to see who can blow the most chances, with everybody from the midfield forward having at least one shot off target or straight at the goalie. The half time result obviously flattering the Blazers.
As Dribble poignantly observed at the after match function it is “a game of two 45 minute halfs” and so we were to find out. In the second half the Blazers began to grow in confidence and were using their bald maestro to good affect. The frustration of our missed chances was starting to show as Bowie let off an expletive ridden rant that had all the subtlety of Jono responding to team banter. This was quickly followed by a dribble counter equally likely to be blocked by Bolts’s email filter.
Man Mountain Matt then pushed forward in search of a winner. Taking a lesson from the Bowie school for poor acting he proceeded to take a tumble in the penalty area. This angered the mighty Allah, who then sent his minion on what can only be described as a suicide attack, as he and matt went face to face. Thankfully the promise of 72 virgins was not enough to incite violence and both parties walked away unscathed.
After all this commotion and plenty more from the Blazers supporters we were still locked at 1-1 heading into the last five minutes. The Blazers clearly wanted it more than we did. They broke down our left and a good cross was met by the bald maestro who slotted the ball with his ample bald spot. 2-1.
This goal knocked us out of our slumber and unfortunately just plain knocked Bolts out. Bolts staggered off the field and ‘the chosen one’ was subbed into goal.
From here I have just cut and pasted what happened last time I was captain and someone got knocked out.
After more delays the game restarted with just 13 minutes remaining 3 minutes remaining . With renewed passion the Marauders attacked the game in an attempt to steal a late win. Another hail shower did nothing to dampen our resolve, in spite of the opposition pleas to leave the field again. With less than 3 minutes remaining the ball was with Dribble just outside the box. A good pass found me in the box. Turning and stepping inside a defender the keeper the ball was slotted past their inept keeperlast defender to bring the score back to 1-12-2.
So we have escaped with a point yet again and now are equal on points with Arakura, leaving us with quite a few very important games coming up.
The dream well and truly still alive.
The post match was well attended and well catered by Lamo, with a bit of help from other team members. Big ups to Lamo for a great season, your ability to be fined will be missed.
Fines for the fixture
Matt: Raspberry award for worst acting
Bowie: showing too much passion
Everyone else: not showing enough passion.
Casper
The Marauders Football Club
Wellington
New Zealand
