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2005 |
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01.08.05 RESULT v Western Springs Villa – Tractor Boy’s Match report:
Strap yourselves in fellas, this
is gonna be a long ride.
And so it is, the final match report for the 2005 season...the O’C’s week began
in earnest on Friday night at O’C’s after work. Basically everyone got
laddered...the laughter was raucous, Canadian females were interrogated, tears
were aplenty and there was a fantastic red PVC jacket...then it was onto Bar de
Baz in Ponsonby and we basically commandeered the dance floor. Keet used direct
tactics to pin his women down, Tancey let his hips do the talking, Matt the
linesman and Marsupial Bell did Bee Gees moves in the mirror!, while Paul just
swung his arms around to see who he could make contact with...perfect team
building for Sunday's big game.
Weather was pretty good and the pitch was actually in excellent condition
considering the battering it had taken. The wind was a bitch, but we're used to
that now with the exposed pitches. Team line-up was juggled around a bit - a
gutted Bell missed his first game since he joined the club, with a groin
strain. Tom was on the bench, so Tim took his place at left back. The
ever-reliable Freddie Parker took his place up front - there to use his pace
and solid frame to unsettle the WS Springs defence...he did neither! In Bell's
place came our Russian/Scouser, Nevchenko...whether he actually did any better
than Bell would have is a difficult question to answer. I would say...NO!!!
Early exchanges were pretty close but we soon got the ball down and started
knocking it about. The most reliable throw-in in the Southern Hemisphere
quickly did some damage, however. The direct approach worked, as a Timmy pile
driver landed at the foot of Nevchenko. If he had a left foot he probably would
have used it. As he doesn't...he decided to shoot with the outside of his right
boot and curled the ball into the corner. A remarkable finish...1-0...
A couple of minutes later and another sucker punch, again down the left-hand
side. Ball played through the midfield and involving Tim, Keet and Gussage,
before Paul is let loose to maraud forward. What does he do, takes on the
fullback, steadies himself and beats the keeper with a near-post pile driver.
Two top-quality finishes...the duck celebrations will not be talked about.
At 2-0 things should have continued in a comfortable vein, but not to be.
Obviously Villa had everything to play for and they began to get a bit of joy
down the left flank. Their big No 9 cut inside Bundy and Walshy before
unleashing a dipping 20-yard strike that gave Richie no chance. A deserved
goal...
But the next 10 mins decided the game...at 2-1, Western Springs pushed forward.
They were trying to get behind our back four and had some success. Then Keet,
Gussage and Paul again sprayed the ball around. It landed at the feet of the
baby-faced assassin, Nevchenko, and he made no mistake with a low, driven
finish. However, the linesman did have a call for offside. Although his flag
was up and down a bit, the referee wisely went and had a word. Despite some
pointless abuse from the O’C’s midfield, the ref decided that the goal should
stand... 3-1 and a crucial two goal cushion was restored.
Chances came and went during the rest of the first half as Nevchenko almost
bundled home his hat-trick...there was long-range shooting from midfield, and
Freddy had a half chance. On the turn, he could only direct a tame finish to
the left of the keeper; but his chance would come.
So 3-1 at halftime and the team-talk instructions was more of the same. We knew
that WS would throw everything at us in the second half so we just had to keep
the ball on the deck.
The second half was much scrappier than the first, although the heavens did
open. Difficult conditions but both teams still tried to play the game the
right way, and in the right spirit. The ball fell to Keet in the box, who got a
bit of a whack on the leg. It looked like a cast-iron penalty, but I wasn't
that close to the action. However, up stepped the Barmy Army's king - Freddie
Parker - to power the ball low and to the goalkeeper's right. An unstoppable
penalty and 4-1...points in the bag.
Worth noting was a spell of pressure from WS in the second half, who had corner
after corner and a good shout for handball not given. Our boys showed that we
can also defend when we need to - as has been the case all season...talking of
defenders, we experimented with Tancey up front for the final quarter. If
Tancey's hold-up play, touch, finishing and vision are of the top order, we
didn't witness it on Sunday...maybe in the summer league!
Another centre back that decided to impress was Dave Walsh. It was almost in
slow motion as the cross landed on his right foot. He says scissors, I say
bicycle, but either way it was a fantastic effort, reminiscent of Pele in
Escape to Victory...!!
And that was it... 4-1. Am disappointed that WS Villa didn't make it up into
Div 4. They were a credit to the league, as was the spread they put on
afterwards and an exceptional clubhouse and cheap beer...although Max didn't
like the design of the roof!!
I hope we can play there again soon...thank you Dunny and the lads...
And that's it...can I just say thank you very much to the ASFA, who organise
this league exceptionally well. It has been an emotional season for O’C’s, but
one that we have all enjoyed immensely. Congrats to Dan for his top scorer
award...Gus for his inevitable player of the year award...Tim and Richie for
making such an effort...and all the guys for welcoming an Ipswich Town fan into
the team. Have a great weekend lads...
Cheers and cheerio
Tractor Boy
27.07.05 PREVIEW v Western Springs Villa – Well the time has come; the final
game of our first season in the ASFA. O’Carrolls are looking for an undefeated
season; Western Springs Villa need a point to join us in the Division 4 next
year. This is going to be a hell of a game. Remarks of O’Carrolls beating an
‘understrength’ Villa side last time round (it’s been mentioned quite a few
times since the game) have really made us hungry for a win this weekend.
Winding up the opposition when you desperately need to take points from them is
probably not a good idea, especially when the opposition are the undefeated
league winners. We want to finish the season on a high, and there would be no
better high the finishing it undefeated (well maybe if we’d dropped no points
at all but we blew that last weekend). So bring on the Villa - I for one can’t wait!!!
The Editor
25.07.05 RESULT v City Socialists – Tractor Boy’s Match Report:
With only two games left in the campaign, O’C’s were
desperate to keep up our winning run and try and finish the season with maximum
points. Training was again cancelled due to warthogs on the Nixon Park pitch,
so we probably weren't as sharp as we wanted to be. However, there weren't half
as many problems as the hungover, ramshackle mob we were last week...
Waikaraka Park is a great place to play football...loads of pitches in very
good condition considering the weather and stock cars to watch for anyone bored
by the football. But I don't think anyone got bored with Sunday's game...it was
an absolute cracker.
Slight changes in the O’C’s line-up saw Marsupial Bell up front with Jurgen the
German, while Keet was restored to central midfield with Dan Gold on the bench.
The first half kicked off under bright sunshine, with the high ball very
difficult to pick up for the defenders. A scrappy first 20 minutes saw neither
side really take control. Half chances came and went but City Socialists were
obviously very much up for it. They battled harder than O’C’s and played the
better football. It was no surprise when they went 1-0 up via a good low finish
through Richie's legs.
Just a few minutes later another scramble in the box led to CS taking a 2-0
lead through a far-post toe-poke...we really were all over the show at this
stage with the frustrations clear to see. At the other end Bell hadn't really
caused any problems, although Gibbo had put some good crosses into the box.
Halftime and 2-0 was a fair reflection of the match. They wanted it more than
us and were enjoying the spoils...so much so that the p***-taking was a little
bit over the top. I mean there's cocky and there's cocky...surely you don't
want to be laughing at the opposition's mistakes (as one CS centre back was
doing all game) when the opposition are top of the league and are obviously
gonna come right back at you. But life is a learning curve, isn't it Mr Centre
Back...!?
So, the second half, and a determined O’C’s started the brighter. Gus and Keet
began to link well in midfield, while Captain Olly Beckham saw a lot more of
the ball on the right-hand side. Tom also managed to get forward more, while
finally Bell began to have some impact with a few good crosses into the box and
one half-volley just off target. The tackles were again flying in...it's great
to watch the opposition really raise their game when they play O’C’s. It's a
testament to all of the Division 5 sides that although we haven't lost a game
this season (so far), it has never been easy to get the results. And I'm sure
City Socialists will be very strong next season, in a division lower than us,
of course!!
Anyway, our pressure eventually paid off. Dan Gold came on as a second-half
replacement for the hard-working Jurgen and made an almost immediate impact
with a headed finish from Beckham's cross. It was Gold's 20th strike of the
season, but none were more important than this one...it was kitchen sink time
as we poured forward. Unfortunately Bell's groin strain forced him from the
field, and on came our utility Russian, Nevchenko. And it was the
Ukranian/Scouser who coolly slotted the ball home with a low finish of real
quality to bring us back to 2-2, sparking scenes of joyous celebration and piss
taking!!
Much like the America quarter final, we honestly believed the game was there
for the taking. Dave Walsh hit a 20-yard screamer just wide; we had a header cleared
off the line (don't know how the CS defender got his head in the way) and other
desperate scrambles in the box. The young ref finally blew up and 2-2 was the
final score. It was a fantastic comeback considering how @#%$ we were in the
first half and how much City Socialists wanted to win.
We were disappointed, but also relieved not to lose. Credit to CS, who always
played fair and gave us as good they got in terms of backchat, cheekiness and
other such banter!!!
Unfortunately for O'Carrolls, one of our best players was told to take his
passport and f*** off back to England - what a delightful sentiment. Still,
when that player is probably one of the best in the entire league, never mind
division 5, then he can expect a little bit of jealousy. He won't be f***ing
off anywhere, by the way.
So there you have it...the run comes to an end but our team spirit is stronger
than ever and we cannot wait for next Sunday's clash against Western Springs.
It's nice to be involved in a game that's so important with regard to
promotion. We will be giving absolutely everything to round off the season with
a win and play with the same attitude we have all season. I'm sure it'll be
another cracker...
Cheers
Tractor Boy
Edited by The Editor
22.07.05 PREVIEW / TEAM NEWS v City Socialists – O’Carrolls’ penultimate league game
of the season sees us take on Cup Semi-finalists City Socialists at Waikaraka
Park. As with Lane Xang, our first game against these guys proved a challenge.
O’Carrolls ran out 2-0 winners on the day, but City Socialists gave a
performance that didn’t justify their league position (2nd from
bottom at the time). O’Carrolls, I think, have more to play for this time
round, looking to maintain our 100% winning record, while Socialists really have
nothing to gain from the game – well, if O’Carrolls’ scalp is nothing I
guess!!! Rumours of 17 available players this weekend have everybody wondering
who will miss out. This player doesn’t want to miss out, and I’m sure that
feeling is echoed throughout the team. It is important that we not get
complacent; we still very much want to win every game, a record the club could
be proud of. I’m not going to dare speculate on the team for Sunday, the
manager has some tough decisions to make. Good luck!
The Editor
18.07.05 RESULT v Lane Xang FC – Tractor Boy’s Match Report:
Glorious day on Sunday, as
O’C’s looked to return to winning ways. Since the loss to America, we lost in a
friendly and at six-a-side, plus training has been cancelled the last couple of
weeks...was v important to get back on the victory trail. Unfortunately we
looked a bit raw on Sunday afternoon, with 50% of the team sporting some sort
of ailment or hangover. We did however still have 13-14 available, again
indicating how strong the team spirit is!!
Max was once more employed as a makeshift fullback, with Russ on the left of
midfield and Dan and Keet up front. We started the game well... Xang were a
little bit tentative and allowed us to have the ball in midfield. The pitch was
pretty good considering the downpours this week, and Gus and Marsupial Bell
were able to get the ball down and switch it to the flanks, where Russ and Olly
were doing some damage. First clear-cut opportunity came to Bell, who smacked a
20!!-yard volley against the crossbar. But the opening goal wasn't long in
coming...Russ made his way to the edge of the box, where he was scythed down by
a nasty-looking challenge. The ref awarded a free kick right on the edge of the
box. A pre-rehearsed free-kick routine saw Bell fool the Xang wall with a deft
decoy run, allowing Gus the simple task of lifting the ball into the onion
bag!! Actually it was a quality finish from a quality player.
From there on, things got a bit scrappy. Our energy levels weren't quite at
their best...and we nearly got caught at the back on a couple of occasions.
Tancy and Max got a bit confused; allowing the Xang striker an opportunity, but
the big man got back with a superb sliding tackle. A couple of occasions they
got behind us, but Richie didn't have too many saves to make.
First half highlight was undoubtedly Gus' frustration at losing the ball...and
his inability to control his anger, as he took out the next player he could
find with a premeditated sliding tackle of "Chopper" Harris vintage -
absolute quality. So halftime, 1-0, and we were thankful for that...we weren't
great, but neither were they.
Second half was a strange 62 minutes of football. Lane Xang were working hard and
occasionally caught us on the break, but generally it was us creating chances
and not putting them away. The arrival of Paul Gibson gave us an extra energy
boost and he quickly made a difference. Tom was again strong at the back...at
one point he looked for a bit of handbags after a nasty challenge, but Olly
bravely dived in and manhandled the Irishman away from any sort of fracas...!
Well done Olly...so it was a relief when the ever-reliable (apart from when he
loses the ball on the edge of his own box) Paul Tancell ghosted in from another
quality Olly Beckham delivery and powered a far-post header into the net. His
celebration I believe was one of relief, as he was well aware that he didn't
enjoy his best game...but that the second goal was crucial to our victory. The
celebration itself was a gentlemanly left-arm salute before falling to the
ground onto his arse...delightful.
At 2-0, we sort of knew it was in the bag. There were a few scares at the back
and lots of screaming from the sidelines from a very animated crowd...but it
never looked like we were going to concede. However, one strange incident was
the referee playing about 55-odd minutes for the second half. No wonder we were
knackered...was a tough job for the ref. He did his best, but some of the line
calls were a bit dodgy. However, we all know how difficult it is to ref/run the
line and we're grateful that he was prepared to do it...
And that's about it really. Also worth a note was the moment of silence before
the game in respect of the London bombings. The ref and the Lane Xang boys were
very respectful of our request. The opposition were very dignified in
defeat...they were obviously disappointed, but O’C’s always seem to have
something in the locker for these league games. We desperately want to keep on
getting positive results, although we know that next week's encounter against
City Socialists is going to be a very tough battle... but we're looking forward
to it.
Well done O’C’s... let's try and keep this going to the end of the season.
Cheers
Tractor Boy
Edited by The Editor
14.07.05 TEAM NEWS v Lane Xang FC – Full-back Colin has been ruled out for the
remainder of the season with an ankle injury. Nobody will be more disappointed
than our prominent left midfielder Paul Gibbons; he’ll miss Colin’s outstanding
service. Good news for our missing-in-action centre forward Dave Edge; while he
won’t don the black shirt again this season, after a successful knee operation,
he’ll have Division 4 defenders shaking in their boots next season. Richie
should recover from a hand injury in time to take up position between the
posts. Dave Walsh makes a welcome return to the center of defense to join the
ever reliable Paul Tancell, the manager has got to decide who his full-backs
for the day will be. In the absence of Colin, it’s possible that Tom will
switch to left-back. I’d expect midfield to be the usual line up of Olly, Gus,
Alex & Gibbo, but with captain Keith Lyne now fit again, the manager has
got a decision to make. Up front, it’s just a matter of who partners top-scorer
Dan Green. Saying all this, with Tim himself, Neville, Bundy, Jurgen, Max &
Russell all available, and the massive amount of alcohol the manager has drank
in the last month – who knows what f***ing team he’ll pick!!!
The Editor
12.07.05 PREVIEW v Lane Xang FC - O’Carrolls
travel to Avondale this weekend to take on Lane Xang FC at Riversdale Reserve.
These guys caused us problems the last time we played them, and are to date the
only team to score against us in the league. 3-2 to O’Carrolls was the
scoreline on the day; admittedly we were very lucky to come away with the three
points, so a tough game is expected on Sunday. Any questions about motivation
within the squad can be put to bed – we want to win this game as much as any
other. We’re hungry for 90 minutes of football after the disappointment of last
weekend’s defaulted game. Team news to follow.
The
Editor
11.07.05 NO SHOW - UN All stars failed to provide a team
last Sunday, July 10th. Despite a perfect playing surface &
match conditions (in the rearranged venue of Mt Wellington War Memorial
Reserve) and a great spell of weather, O’Carrolls had to settle for a training
session. We want to play football every Sunday, that’s why we’re in this
league. Positives from the day… we officially won the Division 5 title without
even having to kick a ball, and we’ve found ourselves a reserve goalkeeper –
one Mr. Paul Tancell! Three points and a 2-0 win awarded, still as I’ve already
said, we’re here to play football.
The Editor