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TEAM: Matt Jenkins, Marc Dobbing, Paul Tancell, Dan Biddlecombe, Martin Thomas, Paul Gibbons (Dan Green), Angus Welton, Robert Hunter (Neville Poole), James Nutt, Nick Morrison, Tom Williams (Alexander Bell)

29.04.08 CHATHAM CUP ROUND 1 RESULT 25.04.08 – Waiuku AFC 2 – 1 O’Carrolls FC

Scorer: Nick Morrison

Man Of The Match: Nick Morrison

TEAM: Matt Jenkins, Marc Dobbing, Martin Thomas (Alexander Bell), Paul Tancell, Marc Hird, Duncan McGregor (Paul Gibbons), James Nutt, Angus Welton, Robert Hunter, Tom Williams, Nick Morrison

23.04.08 200 ASFA LEAGUE GOALS!

Having just checked my figures I can confirm that Tom Williams bagged OC’s 200th ASFA League goal last Sunday. Well done mate!

The Editor

22.04.08 LEAGUE RESULT 20.04.08 – O’Carrolls FC 4 – 2 Pakuranga FC

Scorers: Tom Williams (2), James Nutt, Nick Morrison

Man Of The Match: Paul Tancell

TEAM: Matt Jenkins, Marc Dobbing, Martin Thomas, Paul Tancell, Marc Hird, Duncan McGregor (Alexander Bell), James Nutt, Angus Welton, Robert Hunter, Tom Williams, Nick Morrison (Dan Green)

SUBS NOT USED: Paul Gibbons

19.04.08 6-A-SIDE RESULT 17.04.08 – O’Carrolls 2 – 2 Sverge

Don’t know a lot about this game other than the score. OC’s wrapped this one up last week so could be forgiven for taking the foot off the gas against second from bottom Sverge. The unbeaten record extends to 24 games and we’re two off the 400th goal scored by an OC’s player at the YMCA. I’ll update the leading scorer tables once I find out who got the goals in this one.

The Editor

15.04.08 LEAGUE RESULT 13.04.08 – O’Carrolls FC 1 – 0 Celtic Supporters

This was supposed to be O'Carrolls first home game of the Premier campaign, but for some reason we were assigned Walker Park, a venue we had only graced once before - So more like an away game. The pitch was OK but with a strong wind blowing across it, there was a possibility the weather could influence the game.

The Gaffer had delayed naming the team until the day of the game and with everyone playing and training to the best of their ability, Tim's job was not an enviable one. The starting eleven saw Richie in goal, Biddy and Paddy in the fullback roles with Hirdy and Tancey in central defence. Gus and Redsey were in central midfield. Joining them on the flanks were James on the left and Duncan making his debut on the right. Nick Nelly and Tow Truck were the target men. The bench was a strong one with Alfie, Jobba, Nev, Gibbo and Dan B sitting on it.

OC's kicked off and the first ten minutes were played at a relaxed pace with both teams happy to get used to the conditions and each others game plan. The ref then decided to get in on the act and the game was a bit stop-start, with a lecture to any offending player after the minimum of contact. Both teams were a tad bemused at the decisions given. As the game progressed OC's were dominating possession but with no real clear chances on offer. The only early one of note was Biddy's cross/shot which was tipped over for a corner. The best chances fell to Nick towards the latter stages of the half. The first came from a well executed run and cross from Gus. Nick met it on the full but was unlucky to see his effort go the wrong side of the crossbar with the keeper well beaten. The next effort came from some good movement down the left between James and Redsey with the ball laid off to Nick whose side footed effort was well saved by the Celts keeper. The Celts had two chances of their own which could have affected the scoreline. The first was a through ball from midfield which left the Celts forward with a one on one situation. The lad blasted it high and wide when he really should have been on target. Another similar effort ten minutes later was also well clear of the crossbar. The half ended 0-0.

The boys were relaxed and knew that if we kept to our game plan the goals would come. There was no need to panic but we also knew that we could not drop our guard. The second half tipped off where the first ended with possession firmly with OC's. The threat to the Celts goal was increasing and there were more half chances occurring at more regular intervals. There were some good crosses in from James that just lacked that final touch. The Celts were making some leeway down the OC's left but good defending and discipline prevented any real threat. It was from a throw in deep into the OC's half that fell to Gus who played a quick ball to Biddy who then made good progress down the left. James was there to collect and finish off a good counter attack with an excellent shot into the keeper's left hand corner.

There were three changes in the second half with Jobba on for Paddy, Gibbo on for Duncan (who made an impressive debut) and Alfie on for Tow Truck. In the last fifteen, Celtic appeared more in the OC's half but apart from a few set-pieces there was no threat to the OC's goal with the defence standing strong. OC's continued to threat with some good work in midfield from Gus and Redsey. Gibbo and James switched flanks and made good headway with good early deliveries... unfortunately with no end result. The final chance of the game fell to Alfie whose snap shot hit the crossbar and away to safety.

All in all a fair result when you look at the possession and goal chances. We will have to be more ruthless in future games, but will rise to the challenge. Thanks to the Celtic Boys for a game played in good spirit where there were few fouls and no reason to brandish yellow. However the ref for some reason was on a mission to award as many of each regardless.

Man Of The Match went to James and with no clear Nelly on view this week, it was decided that the club holder should carry the pink... until Hirdy informed us all that our Biddy had asked what the score was with ten minutes remaining. One, to not know the score, and two, to ask Hirdy when the same man walked off against Oratia thinking we had won 3-2 when we had lost 2-1... a double Nelly!

Richie O’Neill

TEAM: Richie O’Neill, Dan Biddlecombe, Martin Thomas (Marc Dobbing), Marc Hird, Paul Tancell, Angus Welton, Robert Hunter, James Nutt, Duncan McGregor (Paul Gibbons),

Nick Morrison, Tom Williams (Alexander Bell)

SUBS NOT USED: Neville Poole, Dan Bradley

12.04.08 6-A-SIDE RESULT 10.04.08 – O’Carrolls 8 – 0 Headless Chooks

Job done - five points clear with one game to spare! An emphatic win over Headless Chooks last Thursday secured top spot for OC’s and the unbeaten run extends to 23 games. The Chooks have failed to beat OC’s in ten meetings now, and on average they concede 6 goals against us. Tancell netted a hat-trick for himself, his first since May of last year, and Gus and James got two apiece. OC’s reached, and passed, the landmark of 400 6-A-Side goals, but I’ve been told the goal in question was in fact an OG! What are the chances!? To keep it interesting, minus OG’s, we’ve actually scored only 396 goals - so four more goals and we have the 400th goal scored by an OC’s player. Next week it’s Sverge.

The Chatham Cup Round One fixtures have been announced – OC’s meet AFF Premier side Waiuku AFC on Anzac Day at 2.00pm. To check out the opposition click here.

The Editor

07.04.08 LEAGUE RESULT 06.04.08 – Zamantix Rovers 1 – 1 O’Carrolls FC

The first day of the new season in the Premier division had arrived and it's worth reflecting on what this meant to the OCFC. We started off three seasons ago hoping that one day we would play against the top teams in the league. We have done well in achieving that goal in such a short period, but now that we were competing with the top clubs, we had no illusions of grandeur and knew that every game was a cup final. Zamantix were our first challenge.

The Gaffer started with Richie in goal, and Biddy, Tancey, Hirdy, and Jobba across the back. Gus and Wannabee in central mid with Alfie and Gibbo on the flanks. Nick and Redsey were up front. Dan B, Dan G, Tow Truck, Fabio (that’s a fine for not knowing the squad Richie!) and the Duncs merchant were ready for action when required.

OC's tipped off and played their usual footy with good possession and sensible passes when required. Both teams were finding their feet, but it was obvious early on that there was to be two different styles of football on display today - OC's playing short passes looking for movement and breaks, Zamantix looking for the more direct play to two strong athletic forwards, who would try and take their chances as they came. For the first twenty minutes the possession football seemed to have the upper hand, although most of the gain resulted in winning more set pieces than any goal scoring chances. It was from one of these set pieces that the first goal was scored. A corner from the right was floated by Alfie to the back post and Nick timed his run and jump to perfection to plant the ball firmly home.

The goal did not faze Zamantix who kept to their game plan and started to put a bit of pressure on the home defence. The match was evening out at this stage with chances at both ends. Zamantix had an opportunity with a free kick that was scrambled for a corner and within minutes a break down the left resulted in another effort being pushed wide for another corner. In the meantime OC's possession was good with Nick side footing a good effort at the keeper after a good string of passing. There were to be no more goals before the half and OC's had the advantage at half time 0-1.

The Gaffer asked us to look for the early goal to settle the game. Basically you can have all the possession in the world but if you don't score it doesn't count. Time and time again the final ball broke down through a combination of good defending and badly timed passes. Eventually we would pay the price. Through a bit of dilly-dallying on the ball (Jobba), a needless throw-in was conceded. A hopeful ball was hit into the box which neither defenders nor keeper dealt with and the only one to react was the Zamantix winger who headed home to equalize. That was the last real effort Zamantix had at goal, but for all OC's possession the Zamantix keeper was as underworked as his OC's opposite.

The Gaffer had brought on Dunc for Alex, Tommy for Redsey and Dan B for Jobba. The fresh legs had brought on a new energy. Tommy worked hard and was unlucky on a couple of runs. Gus had a good run and cross that was headed against the bar by Nick and Dunc had a sharp side-footed effort saved well by the keeps. The final whistle blew and all in all we didn't lose and our unbeaten league record is still intact. Our biggest lesson was that you have to take your chances at this level.

Big thanks to the Zam boys who are currently without a clubhouse/pub but still managed to have a few beers at the ready post match. They are a good strong team who worked hard for each other and will upset a few teams this year. Thanks for your hospitality and for a good competitive game.

Man Of The Match went to Nick who scored a double by winning Nelly Of The Week... Why? Having listened to the lads screaming come on O'Carrolls for ninety minutes, he then informed us that he wouldn't be able to join us for a beer in O'Connells... I'm not surprised lad - it hasn't been built yet.

Richie O’Neill

05.04.08 6-A-SIDE RESULT 03.04.08 – O’Carrolls 1 – 0 Hold The Phone

A fifth goal in three games from James won it for OC’s against HTP last Thursday night and it leaves us requiring only two points from our remaining two fixtures to guarantee top spot. It’s now 22 games without defeat – next week we’re up against Headless Chooks. By the way, we’re 5 goals away from our 400th 6-A-Side goal. Who will get it??? If by the most amazing of circumstances that we have a penalty for the chance to get number 400, please don’t let Richie have it!

The Editor

05.04.08 CHARITY SHIELD RESULT 30.03.08 – Bohemian Celtic 3 – 3 O’Carrolls FC

A brace from Graham and one goal from Nick saw OC’s play out a draw against Bohs Celtic in what I hear was a highly competitive game and a cracking season opener.

I’m sure Bohs won’t mind me pointing you in the direction of their own website for a match report – click here.

The Editor