Salmon finish 6th in League

Salmon finish 6/8 in Capital Division Ten. A bit dissapointing as we were only about 4 points of finishing 4th, but a measly 6 points earned from the last 15 on offer meant the League run petered out.

Still having finished in the botton two in the previous two seasons, so at least there has been an improvement- and 17 points in total from 14 games is a lot better than the 11 we earnt last year.

4 match reports in one!

Mega synopsis of the last 4 weeks:

Waterside Karori Meke 7- WU Salmon 3

(Halftime 3-2)

Benburn Park, Karori

Scorers:
Craig Ireson

Matthew Fulton (2)

MOM Points:

Matthew Fulton (3)
Lane Nichols (2)

Tom Murphy (1)

Short synopsis

It was a chilling arctic wind and a waterlogged pitch which met the hardy Salmon who trekked to the cloud city of Karori for the rematch of the epic first round match in which Salmon snuck home with a free kick in the dying minutes. Alas, it wasn’t to be- despite taking the wind Meke got three early goals including an own goal from poor old James.

Salmon finally woke up with a tap in from Craig, set up by Mataio (our friendly ring in, now playing outfield as Richard Martin made a last minute dash to the game). The second was set up by Craig but finished off superbly by Fulton- 3-2 at the break- the second half stayed 3-2 for an age, but salmon struggled into the wind and failed to really penetrate. Steve Westcott made a mad dash to the line and was brought down but no penalty was given (Dave probably had sleet in his eyelids weighing them down). Meke scored another 4 and Fulton finished with a spectacular second from distance and a tight angle to pick up man of match. Had we started better and kept them scores in the first half then we could have won.

Naenae Unify 1- WU Salmon 4

(Halftime 0-2)

Benburn Park, Karori

Scorers:
Craig Ireson (2)

Steve Westcott

Matthew Fulton

MOM Points:

Louie McDougal-Moore (3)
Richard Martin (2)

Callum Crane (1)

Short synopsis

One of the games of the year- a rubbish pitch, no nets, a thrown together team and a biased ref in gumboots, but we played some of the nicest, most controlled footie of the season. Steve Westcott popped a ball over the top and Craig bet Sam to the ball, rounding the keeper to score after ten minutes. Then ring in Jonathon Hudson played a superb ball through for Craig to latch on and drive home for 2-0 at the break. Steve Scored a calm finish form the top of the box after 60 or so, then on a rare foray forward Naenae scored after Callum diverted a cross into the goal (and he played so well otherwise!) then Naenae came at us, but the defence was stout and measured. We broke away right at the end to win a corner and Fulton scored with his head with the last play of the game- A very good performance

Wellington United Salmon 1- Petone For Sure 5

(Halftime 1-2)

Wakefield Park

Scorer:
Craig Ireson

MOM Points:

Matthew Fulton (3)
Max Rashbrooke (2)

Richard Martin (1)

Short synopsis

Max’s debut and a good one at that- We were a bit rubbish early on again, and conceded a couple of goals to the old route one- then Lane failed to notice me hanging 5 metres off side so I got to score an off side one on one- Given how many times I am called up each season when on side I don’t mind taking the odd one like that.

What else? A game we could have won and they were definitely not 4 goals better, but good on them- they took their chances and wanted it more.

We went out for a few pints afterwards and Sunday was a long and far too bright day.

North Wellington 7 -Wellington United Salmon 2

(Halftime 5-0)

Newlands Park

Scorers:
Craig Ireson
Max Rashbrooke

MOM

Tom Haig- 3 pts

Stephen Jessup- 2 pts

Ashby-1 pt

The no nets thing must be catching! Any way they got them in the end and we were only delayed 20 minutes while we waited. Again this is a head scratcher- we played some very nice football but conceded 5 goals to their tidy forward ‘Jono’- The second half was ours, with a Craig poach from a keeper’s spill off Steve W’s long shot and a Max tap in form a double nutmeg corner- but them we conceded too late goals to blow the score out.

Again another game where we could have gotten a result if:

1.      We’d put away a couple more chances (Craig had two, Danny had one, Fulton and Ashby each conspired to miss the same chance!)

2.      Paid a bit more attention at defensive set pieces and eliminated silly errors along the back to make it more difficult for them to score.

In fact that’s the story of the season- compared to the past two years a HUGE improvement- but really we are left with what could have been. Just oen more win and draw would have seen us in fourth place, instead we are left once again just above the relegation zone.

We have tough cup draw (Norths, Meke, Plague) but have been the underachievers of the division I think- so time to toughen up and start achieving!

The cup is different- its one shot, and the game can change in an instance- the most important thing is to start well and make it damn tough for them to concede- oh, and Ashby- this would be a good time to get your debut goal mate!