Apologises for the delay in the articles and which cover the YDS's last two games against 3 Kings Dunas and Beachlands.
This season so far has had problems for the YDS in that we have been unable to field the same team two weeks running due to injuries or unavailability. Welcoming 3 Kings Dunas to Massey Park, we were finally able to put what would probably be our first choice starting 11 out and were confident. The game started well for us with our football causing all kinds of problems for 3 Kings. Then, with 11 minutes gone, inexperience caught us out at the back with ball watching the error. Consequently, the King's winger got a metre start on our defence and raced into the box. Harrison McKee, who is learning well and showing improvement each week chased after him and stuck out one of those long legs of his. Unfortunately, it caught the player instead of the ball and down went the King's forward, giving the ref no choice but to award a penalty. Ryan in goal guessed the right way, but was unable to stop it going in and Waiuku were 0-1 down. This goal gave Kings confidence and they attacked relentlessly, with only the strong challenging of the back four and in particular, Chris Parker, keeping them away from our goal. However, we did have a golden opportunity to score from a free kick but failed to take the chance. A good run from Shane Moody was stopped on the edge of the King's box and a direct free kick awarded to us. Unfortunately, despite what I have said in the past, we delayed taking the kick until the opposition were ready. This despite the fact that the ref was clearly indicating that we could take the kick straight away and that the goal keeper was not even facing the ball. Needless to say, the kick missed and the score remained 0-1! Still, at 0-1 at halftime, we were confident of coming back if we continued to play football and concentrate. What could let us down though was the fact that although we had only 2 subs, Kings had brought 5 and were using them regularly. This was brought up with the Ref as although you can have 5, you can only use 3 in a game in our division. Kings though, were not happy with our observation and the ref asked us if we wanted it stopped? However, in the interest of football, we allowed them their 5 subs and the ref warned them about their constant rotation in order to stop the flow of the game.
Kicking off the second half, we appeared to be progressing well, but again an error in ball watching rather than tracking a player, gave the Kings winger space to cross and an unmarked attacker had the simple job of tapping in at the far post and we were 0-2 down. As the game went on, it was obvious that we lacking in ideas and had a couple of players suffering from knocks. However, Waiuku were still determined to have a go and were unlucky not to claw a goal back as Roddy Peat was sent free down the middle. However, his strike was well stopped by the keeper who somehow managed to turn and make a flying one handed save, pushing the ball over the bar. Shortly afterwards and with 20 minutes to go, off came Shane Moody with a heel problem and on came myself in midfield. Pressing forward we created a number of chances but were just not able to finish them off. Due to our attacking though, we were caught out a few minutes later as Kings made it 0-3. Not giving up, the lads kept going and were duly rewarded. A great passing move starting with Adam Moorhouse, brought the ball deep into the King's left wing. His pass found myself on the edge of the area to the right. As I was being closed down, Shane Holmes made a great run down the left wing and I threaded the ball between the defenders for him to run onto, where he delivered a great cross towards Adam. As it did so, I think the keeper got a hand to it to push it behind Adam. However, as Adam attempted to turn to shoot, Dale Oliver came racing in and hit the ball with power, resulting in it flying into the roof of the net 1-3. Sadly, although it was no more than we deserved and also showed what we could do, it was too little too late as the ref blew the final whistle a few minutes later.
1-3 as a result was hard on the team, who actually played the better football but lessons have to be learnt about concentration. This was a game that we could and should really have won, but these things happen and hopefully will be noted. Chris Parker was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding game. Sadly, it was probably his last game for the YDs as he is off to work on the South Island. Good luck Chris and thanks for helping the team out!
Our next game was last Saturday away to Beachlands' Reserve team at Te Puru Park. For this one, the YDS were again hit with a player issue and had 5 players out in Dylan, Ryan, Scott, Shane Moody and Chris. Thanks then to Coster, Aaron and Allan Campbell from the 3rd team for helping us out.
Arriving at Te Puru Park, the weather was wet and had had been raining for some time beforehand. As we warmed up, there was no sign of the opposition or ref and no nets up, and I wondered if the game had been called off? To be honest, it should not have been played as I watched the Beachland's O35 team warming up near the opposition goal area and could see the splashes! Then. just before the scheduled Kick Off, the ref turns up and the opposition came out into the rain to put their nets up. As a result, the game kicked off late!
Due to the changes in the team, I ended up in goal, with Harrison moving to partner Kyle at centrback and Alan Campbell slotting into left back and Shaun in his usual position at right back. With Adam, Dale, Coster and Shane Holmes in the middle, we looked good and had Aaron and Roddy up front.
Kicking off we passed the ball well but with no real penetration, did not trouble the Beachlands defence too much. It was obvious that the battle would be in midfield and with it being Beachland's Reserve team, there were players pushing for their 1st team and keen to do well. Consequently, I was starting to see too much of the ball as Beachlands pushed down our flanks and in particular, our left side. On two occasions in quick succession, dangerous crosses came in but were dealt with by our defence. Then on another delivery, I went and should have held a cross but due to the wet conditions, the ball slipped out of my hands. Fortunately, Shane Holmes, who had tracked back was able to clear the ball and save my blushes! Still, with the evident ability of the Beachland's right winger, Alan was having a torrid time and came off for a breather to be replaced by 'Niko' who slotted into left back. Consequently, the winger gave us a lot less trouble as he appeared contained.
Having weathered the early storm, we were beginning to look secure at the back, when a lapse in marking allowed a Beachland's midfielder to turn and shoot from the edge of the area. The last thing as a keeper you want, is a low shot on a wet surface and although I got a hand to it, the ball ended up in the net and we were 1-0 down. We had only just been let off the hook with an offside decision in our favour disallowed a goal for Beachlands and should have closed down the player. Then as we attacked, we had several corners, but which came to nothing as failed to put any real pressure on the keeper. Back came Beachlands at us and again we allowed one of their players room in the box, who then wrong footed both myself and the defender to score. 2-0 down and thankfully the halftime whistle went.
Although 2-0 down, we were actually doing pretty well all things considered and were playing the ball well in our own half. It was just when we got into the opposition half that we seemed to flounder. Changing ends I finally saw why that was the case! As I approached my area, the rain was actually splashing off the surface with large pools of water and the 6 yard box looking like a cows pasture with thick mud. Goal kicks were to be near impossible as there was no firm ground within the 6 yard box to take them and in the end, I was forced to use the goal line out to the side!
Kicking off, we were actually playing some nice football going forward but giving it away too much. As a result, we found ourselves under dire pressure at the back. Then the inevitable! As I went to close down a forward, I found myself in the quagmire and unable to move, leaving the forward the simple task of chipping me. Unfortunately for us, the ball did not land in the mud or it would have stopped dead and so we found ourselves 3-0 down! Attempting to play football became a joke in goal and after another example of the ball stopping dead in the water and dangerous looking tackles flying in, I asked the ref if he would consider abandoning the game. I would have been happy to concede the match if it prevented any injuries and to be honest, apart from teaching the players what it was like to battle in a trench, served no purpose to playing football. However, the reply was no and so we continued. More examples of the conditions arrived as I went for a swim in saving a shot and the resulting follow up from the attacker and then Shaun, making a 50-50 challenge, got injured and had to leave the pitch. Not long before the final whistle, there was one more example of the conditions as Niko had the ball away from two attackers on the edge of the 6 yard box. He had come in and cleared the danger well, when the ball simply stopped in the water and the attacker just hit and hoped! Unfortunately, it went into the top corner of the net and we ended up losing 4-0! Given the conditions and the fact that we had yet another different line up, the result could have been worse. In out last two games the YDS have played some good football and with better concentration and luck, could have done better! At the moment we are suffering from the lack of a consistent team but hope to have all our players back soon as we have just arrived at our half way mark in the season and aim to start climbing the table again! Man of the match against Beachlands had a few contenders in Kyle, Shaun, Shane and Niko but it went to Harrison for an outstanding display at centreback.
This coming Saturday we are away at Bucklands Beach at Rogers Park with a 2.45 KO. Any and all support is welcome.