WU Salmon 6- Waterside Karori Meke 5- Match Report

Wellington United Salmon 6- Karori Waterside Meke 5 (Halftime 2-4) Wgtn College Turf Scorers: Sam Mills (2) Craig Ireson (2) Steve Westcott Matthew Fulton MOM Sam Mills (3pts) Adam Ray (2pts) James Stewart (1pt) If any ‘football tragics’ out there cared to bother, they would do worse than follow the fortunes of the Salmon; with a combined total of 29 goals in the last three games they would certainly get bang for their buck. The Meke turned up on Saturday sitting on 7 points, while we were midtable with 4. They also turned up with a young, fit looking squad of 16- and despite our youthful recruits (Sam and Callum) we certainly were a shade greyer than them. We had also lost the services of Richard Martin in goal, but hirsute defender Mataio from our friends the Sunday Blazers FC bravely donned the gloves. As soon as the whistle blew it was clear this was going to be tight, as both teams seemed closely matched in midfield, although the Salmon slightly edged the first 15 minutes in regards to possessions and chances. Despite this Meke made the break through, and once again Salmon were reeling from conceding a soft goal. But the response from the salmon was immediate-from the kick off Craig released Callum down the right, who abetted by a kind deflection, gained possession on the right hand edge of the box and crossed to his wing partner sam, who coolly slotted home. It was a defining moment of the match because it sent a message that the salmon would not lie down without a fight today. A settled back four, once again ably led by Adam Holloway, was disrupted after Richie Hallam tore his calf muscle. He has subsequently learnt that he will need to sit out for 6 weeks, effectively ending his season as he is off overseas soon. Adam Ray came on for his 2012 debut, and Callum shifted to right back. Meke scored another soft goal; Mataio showed his inexperience in goal by being caught out of position. But once again Salmon responded to level the score, this time Craig nutmegged the right back for Steve to run on to, and Steve drew the ball back to Sam who once again calmly slotted for his second. Meke now pressed and were rewarded with a goal from a corner and a quick through ball. Had they scored again to make it 5-2 then the game would have been over, but the defence rallied, a defiance defined by an Adam Holloway tackle, early contender for tackle of the season, lunging at a runaway attacker to foil a one on one attempt. So to the break at 4-2 down but well in the game, as long as the Salmon were first to score. And we were first to score, albeit after a long period of stalemate. When the breakthrough came it was once again an outrageous piece of skill and vision from Steve; receiving a throw in from Sam deep on the right Steve floated a looping shot high into the box, the keeper was well out of position and could only flap as it nestled in the net. 4-3 Soon after it was level again, as Adam Ray released Craig on half way, the keeper was not having a good day, once again caught way out of position to allow the skipper an open net. 4-4 Meke responded with their own outrageous goal, the left winger was allowed to run unimpeded past two Salmon, before firing past a stranded Mataio; all that hard work undone to give the lead back to Meke with 20 to go. Salmon pushed on for the equaliser, and it came from 2011’s Silver Boot Matthew Fulton. Pushed into the right back slot due to an ankle injury from a scything foul, Fulton came up for a corner and when the ball landed at his feet he declined, opting instead for a knee into the netting- no matter, they all count! 5-5 With 15 to go Salmon would be content with a draw, and sat nice and deep. We got one last chance to snatch it though, when a quick ball from midfield bounced through the legs of the last man to allow Craig a clear run on goal- the defender recovered to get alongside Craig and clipped him just outside the box- James Stewart, now with whistle, blew for the free kick as Meke moaned about a phantom dive. The wall was set centre goal and the keeper decided to hide behind it, allowing a free look at the corner-Craig obliged with a driving shot for 6-5. The last ten minutes was backs to the wall- Dave, Callum, Nic, Lane, Steve and Ray all crammed the box, as Mataio now stepped up big time to command the air. With only Sam up front Salmon allowed Meke opportunities to attack at will. But the Salmon were stubborn and resolute, and tenaciously asked James to blow the whistle every ten seconds for the final two minutes before he obliged. What does this say about the Salmon? It says we still have the fighting spirit we were once renowned for, it says we like to ship soft goals, but conversely can score just as easily, and it says that we are now in third spot and have every right to challenge for the title.