This week saw the top of the table Marauders take on the bottom of the table Indians.
With Dribble not being allowed to play and John out with injury, the team was Bolts (yes Jono, we bought him back), Fred (LB), Hurley and Dempster (CD), Josh (RB), Me (LM), Adam and Matt2 (CN), Fold (RB) and Tim and Mark up the front.
Casey was to start on the bench, however started for the opposition, given they only had 8 players at kick-off, the rest apparently coming from shift work or from driving taxis, if Adam is to be believed.
After winning the toss we kicked off towards Seaview, with a slight breeze at our back.
The first quarter saw many a chance go begging as either through balls were kicked directly to defenders or people simply could not put the ball away.
The first real chance came to Tim who was just outside the top of the box with the keeper well off his line, but unfortunately the attempt at the open goal saw the ball loop over the crossbar.
A number of other opportunities were created, however, none resulted in goals. A somewhat casual attitude had it feeling more like a crossing training session.
The impasse was broken when Hurley came forward, possibly for a corner and slotted one in the bottom left hand corner from close range .
This saw heads lift and some sublime passing between Adam and Matt2 through to Mark and Tim.
Defence were like a wall in the first half with Fred and Josh preventing any flanking and Hurley and Dempster putting in good solid tackles to kill any possible attack s through the middle.
The defensive wall was soon tested with a penalty outside the book. Thankfully the wall didn’t move and the ball struck some poor sod in the guts before it was eventually cleared from the danger zone.
The next goal came from some turnover ball at the back after a Shurley tackle. The ball was moved up the left touchline, passing from Adam to Fold, to Mark and back to Fold who was darting down the line. The move was finished with a great left footed through ball from Fold which Tim met inside the box mid flight and knocked it into the top left had corner. It should be noted that by this stage they were onto their 3rd or 4th goalkeeper, with this the holding position until the next person arrived.
Despite numerous other chances in the first half, none of these were put away. Closest to score would have been Fold, who on two occasions had great chances but for whatever reason, either literally passed the ball to the keeper or struck the ball straight at the keeper. In one instance a cross from Tim was passed from Mark on the penalty spot onto the right foot of a screaming unmarked Fold who proceeded to still miss.
The call was made at half time that people simply need to start shooting.
The second half of the game began a lot stronger which eventually resulted in goals finally coming. The constant, rather unusual method of goal scoring in the second half was by headers.
Mark was first to capitalise after he created a throw in 8 metres from the goal line on the right touchline. The throw from Dave was headed on my Matt2 just on the corner of the box through to Mark who, almost as if he meant to, controlled it well to put his header just inside the left post. Another to score off the head was Hurley, who knocked one in back past off a corner. The final and probably most unlikely person to score with his head was Casey, who was finally in Maruaders' colours, having played the first 30 minutes for the opposition. A through ball from the midfield to Fred was taken deep down the left and then crossed perfectly past the keeper to the back post where Casey knocked it in.
The only other player to score in that half was Matt2, who should have got a second but from 3 metres somehow managed to put a simple cross well over the crossbar. The miss of the day however had to go to Casey, who having received a cross about 3 metres from an open goal simply requiring a touch on it, managed to take an almighty swing and get very little contact, resulting in a ball going straight past him and the open goal.
Given the fact the win was in the bag, people seemed to let off and unfortunately, that resulted in the Indians getting a goal against us. Despite Bolts putting in a good save and Folds getting a great goal line save, one of their strikers still managed to get the ball through. Speaking of Bolts, it should be noted that he had a ripper of a save and actually dived to stop it, perhaps a new trick that he had been holding out from us earlier.
With the lineup changed completely both Josh and Dempster were given runs up front, although neither of them could capitalise on some good opportunities laid on a platter for them by Wilson.
So at the full time it was 6-1, ultimately being an easy win, but one we should have perhaps dominated more in terms of goals scored and having shut them out.
Drinks ensued at the Ale House with an array of chunky and shoestring fries.
Fines: Fold for both of his players missing open goals Dribble for not coming to play
A reminder to all that Jono is having leaving drinks this Friday at 5.30 at the Cross, when no doubt Emerson's Pilsener will flow long into the night.
Dave The Marauders Football Club Wellington New Zealand
