Salmon 2011 Season Wrap & Awards

Wgtn Utd Salmon 2011
League Placing= 7th/8, on goal difference, equal 6th/8 on points
Cup Placing= 6th

Player of the Season
Simon Healy- A consistently solid performer

Runner up=Jeremy Norman

Spirit of the Salmon
Warrick Jackson-Two goals and full of passion

Runners up= Craig Ireson/Richard Hallam

Fresh Fish- Best newcomer
Richard Martin- Great athleticism and organising, clever distribution

Runner up= Matthew Fulton

2011 Inductee into Order of the salmon- aka Life Membership:
Warrick Jackson

Who now joins:
Nic Preddle (2007)
Craig Ireson (2008)
Kahu Kirikiri (2009)
Adam Holloway (2010)

Golden Boot
Craig Ireson- 18 Goals

Silver Boot
Matthew Fulton-4 Goals

Lisa Simpson Award for Attendance
Craig Ireson/John Dow- 17 games each

Steve Austin Awards for commitment over and above
Warrick Jackson- Twice turning up injured or sick to play and/or ref (v.s Bears and v.s Karori)
Michael Ashby for restoring Salmon pride with a blinding, literally blinding, naked 400 metre spring and getting 2nd place.

Game of the Year

The last minute draw against Uni in the mud was very enjoyable, but not a pretty sight. The two draws against Legends, the first game of the Season and the cup draw, were also very enjoyable. But the last game of the league against the Bears, a 3-1 win was the game of the season. A scratch team playing out of position, an early goal to the Bears, a fight back, a sending off, a hattrick to the skipper and 3pts which put tipped us into double figures. What a game.

Goal of the Year

Take your pick from two of Rowan's- the first goal against the Legends,a top corner screamer, or his header against the Saints from a pin point Ireson cross, or Jeremy's top corner belter against the Saints (admittedly a very scant consolation goal). but really I'd personally find it hard to go past my own effort against the Terrace at Te Whaea. I have now scored 152 goals for the Salmon and this would be in the top three. A quick team move to set me free, then three cut backs inside to enter the box to unleash a chip into the far right corner. It was an important goal as well, taking us back into the lead after the Terrace started to gain some traction after a jammy equaliser.

Miss of the year
Runner Up-Ashby had a blinding chance to open his account against the Beavers at Nairnville- A Fulton cross having him 1 on 1 against their stand in keeper, but his first touch bounced it softly into the keepers gloves, when the whol goal beckoned.

Winner- Well, when you have scored 18 goals in a season you have to miss a few right? A lofted free kick from Simon against the Petoen Foresure at Wakefield bounced into my path 4 yards out. I missed. Petone won the game, Boo.

Orange Roughy Award for seeing red:
Ants the Cambodian Assasin with a round house swing against the Bears, which thankfully missed
Runner up: the original Orange Roughy Johnny Sneyd, with his hot temper against the Bears

Actually maybe the Bears are the link here?

Opposition of the Year
Seatoun Gulls
Very good team, and gracious with it, bet us both times we played although we gave them a run for their money

Word up! Cameo of the Year

Danny made three nice cameos, and Rowan played four games and scored four. Scott Dunkerly from the Ressies played twice and had a great game against the Bears. Craig Stewart scored in his only appearance against the Rovers.
I was going to give it to Rowan, but I think Dali was our cameo of the year. Two Games (v.s Legends and Vs. Bears) and he kept the step overs to a minimum and defended well. The best two games he has played for us.

Summary:
Not a great season, but not the worst- Great team spirit as always, some classic results, som stunnign goals, only two real capitulations, both against Upper Hutt. There is enough there to suggest that the best is yet to come from this team, so lets consolidate, keep fit, stay in touch and hit it hard next year.