llMatch report
Venue: Awakurangi Park Totara Park Upper Hutt
Marauders Vs Trenthem United
Matchday 14
Date: Sunday 22 August 2009
Players
Dribble (c) , Wilson, Bolts, Davey, Fold, Fridge, Polly, Hurley, Casper, Dumpster and B RAD.
With the season all wrapped up the last league fixture for the Marauders was merely a dead rubber. This gave the opportunity for the Marauders to play in more unfamiliar positions with strikers and defenders reversing roles as a means of team development.
The allocated match official, for the second week in a row, was a man known for blowing free kicks every time contact was made. The Marauders knowingly had to slightly alter their game plan to combat this through winning the ball without contacting the man.
Wilson took the reigns in goal, with many reminiscing in the younger days stereotype of giving the fat kid the gloves, he was charged with guarding the team goal mouth. The back four partnership of Casper, Dribble, Fill in B RAD and Polly was selected to destruct any attack from the riverside counterparts. Across the middle saw Fridge, Fold, Dumpster and Bolts taking on the action in the midst of the battlefield. Upfront saw Hurley and Davey as the first line of defence.
To the game, and the Marauders played a slow but effective style for the first twenty. The Marauders were involved in creating a number of chances but failing to capitalize on these. Fridge and Hurley having a number of chances between them however no advantage was taken. A Wilson wayward pass given to the opponents nearly cost us dearly and forcing him to make a somewhat easy save which was equally embarrassing by claiming success by yelling out “CORNER” as if it was an act of heroic proportions.
A mistimed midfield pass saw a counter attack from Trenthem pouncing on the opportunity by turning our defence around and slotting one passed the keeper making it 1-0 at the half hour mark. The Marauders seemed to shift up a few gears and within another minute Hurley had slotted one at the other end to level the scores at one-all.
Right on the halftime whistle Casper decided to give the ball to the referee from a throw, which resulted in the referee controlling the ball and looking to play a one two with him. An act that was quite comical at the time.
The usual broken record half time talk began with Wilson saying that people could talk (Surprise surprise!!). The question of “who is going to step up in goal?” was raised and it was captains knock which saw Wilson return to the backline in a straight swap.
The second half was slightly more eventful but generally more comical none the less. A missed control from Casper gave the opposition possession from the KO. A flurry of shots from both teams took place and one eventually was turned into points with Davey following one in and then Hurley firing one from close range to take advantage. In between a Horizontal save took place at the other end after a run from the striker went unopposed. The keeper failing to keep the ball in play but saved a certain goal was actually looking up at the sky and waving to the people in the plane passing by at the time.
Hurley managed to sub in goal late in the second half, with his sweaty shirt given to the Captain who returned to the central defence. A number of scoring chances were created with Will timing one well from a central pass making it 4-1 and wrapping up the final score.
More importantly the team had gone the whole season unbeaten and wrapped up the league nicely and team celebrations were certainly in order. The boys headed to the cross where an array of jugs and nibbles were had by all. The banter took place over the next few hours to debrief the season and celebrate the results. A few weird characters were at the cross, a drugged up “p” punk and a few blazers made for an entertaining evening.
Well done boys on a successful season.
Captain Dribble.
The Marauders Football Club
Wellington
New Zealand
