Salmon hold second place JJs

Wgtn Utd Salmon 3- Island Bay JJs 3

(Half time 3-1)

MacAllister

MOM Pts

Tom Haig 3

Matt Fulton 2

Steve Westcott 1

This was a very credible result, and although many of the Salmon felt disheartened at giving away a two goal lead the reality is that Island Bay, sitting in second spot, were always going to be a tough opponent, and to grind out a draw where in recent times we would have capitulated is heartening.

Salmon had the bare 11 at kick off, and JJ’s had ten. So a quick call to James Stewart had him arrive within ten minutes to take the whistle, by which time JJs’ 11^th player arrived.

Salmon started like a force of nature, in fact the first fifteen minutes was probably our best start to a game yet and it set the scene for the entire match.

Within the first minute Sam Mills fed a long ball past their flat back four for Craig to run onto. The keeper was drawn out to cover but Craig won the foot race, lunging to toe poke it past the keeper into the empty net for 1-0.

Island Bay were quite clearly stunned as Salmon came again, this time Craig set up Sam who ran into the box, stopped and fed the ball back to the Skipper. Poor Ashby, unmarked at the far post, had to watch the skipper waste another chance with a miscued shot. It was a let off for Island Bay. A let off that lasted about ten seconds. The keeper took the goal kick and generously passed it to Craig at the top of the box who trapped and returned it forthwith into the net. 2-0.

Any momentum JJ’s did manage to generate towards our goal was ably deflected by our back four of Tom H, Adam, Tom M and Dave, and when this was breached Rich Martin saved smartly.

Salmon now drove on to finish the job, with Steve, Ashby, Callum and Sam all looking lively. Sam was certainly worrying their defence, that was until he was on the wrong end of a chop which sent him off the field for 5 minutes, and did enough to stall our momentum. Island Bay now rallied and soon after won a string of corners which were all well dealt with bar one. A clearance fell to their right wing who lined up a 20 yard drive which managed to find its way through the wall of Salmon for a 2-1 scoreline.

Salmon were not finished however as just before the break Steve broke down the right and crossed an inch perfect ball to the 6 yard box where Fulton had found himself unmarked for a nod in. 3-1 at the break.

Salmon were bolstered at half time by the arrival of Nic and Lane. The tactics were to sit nice and deep and let JJ’s come at us, absorb it and then break away. These tactics almost worked to perfection as Sam Mills broke down the left to cue up Lane who almost bet the keeper with a low shot. The first ten minutes of the half were in fact a continuation of the first, and if Salmon had taken one of the chances presented the game could have been won then and there.

As it was Salmon tired as the pressure was put on by JJ’s. Their tall timber centre forward claimed a loose ball and poked in their second. A rare Salmon corner was well taken by Sam and saw Tom head over the bar from close range. With 20 to go it seemed as though all 11 players were defending, in fact at one point all eleven were in the box.

With ten to go JJ’s equalised, when their bespectacled striker turned in a shot despite the close attention of Nic and Craig. JJ’s finished strong, looking to pick up the winner but to no avail, Salmon held on to claim a valuable point.

A season is made up of gritty results which includes wins and draws- I firmly believe that this was a point earned rather than two points dropped and sets us up nicely for this Thursday evenings gamer against table topping Varsity.

Fight left in the fish

Wellington United Salmon 2- Seatoun Gulls 4
(Halftime 1-3)
MacAllister Park

Scorers:
Craig Ireson
Matthew Fulton

MOM Points
Richard Martin - 3 pts
Michael Ashby - 2pts
Simon Healy/Kahu Kirikiri - 1 pt each

Match report from John Dow:


GULLS PICK OFF SALMON IN THRILLER

Wellington United’s top team scored an emphatic 5-2 Chatham Cup win on Saturday afternoon that has propelled the club into the round for the last 16 nationwide as the only Wellington side still in this prestigious competition. Led by skillful Argentinian striker Emiliano Tade, it was his compatriot Alva Pumpido who crashed home a 30 metre freekick that set the team on the road to victory. On Sunday Netherlands professional import Mariska Kogelman scored a late equaliser for the Diamonds Women’s Central League team and twice came close to scoring a winner.

However, it was another of the WU club’s international players, all the way from Newcastle in England, via Bristol, Geordie goalkeeper Richard Martin who turned on an outstanding display of courage and acrobatics to keep the Salmon alive and still thrashing around till late in the match against championship chasers Seatoun Gulls.

Like most Newcastle goalkeepers, Martin saw plenty of action throughout the game as the Gulls pushed forward relentlessly in the first half and with a bit of luck going their way, including a first minute penalty for hand ball which they converted, they moved out to a 3-0 lead and things looked a bit ominous for the Salmon.

However, inspired by Martin’s goalkeeping heroics the Salmon came back into the game, Simon tightened up the backline and started winning the ball ahead of the marauding Gulls, and his fellow defenders started closing down the attackers and setting a more solid foundation to attack from.

Playing Squirt up front alongside Craig worked well as his running off the ball put pressure on their defence and when in possession he was able to hold the ball up in difficult conditions.

Ashby in the midfield, who was using the match as a warm up for running a marathon the next day, showed some real pace and purpose pushing forward and twice got the ball into excellent positions out wide on the left as well as getting Fulton into attacking positions wide on the right.

After playing one great pass out left, Squirt made a fantastic run dragging 3 defenders out of the middle and John D. played a long diagonal ball that cut through the defenders and Ashby who had made an incisive 40 metre sprint nearly found himself clean through on goal.

Another pass was knocked in behind the defence but Craig wasn’t able to check back inside and get clear from his marker with only the keeper to beat.

However, the Salmon were battling hard with Jeremy dominating some of the midfield clashes and winning lots of ball, and the ball broke for Craig to go face to face with the keeper, from what appeared to be an offside position, however after 2 valiant attempts the ball was scrambled for a corner.

John D. clipped the corner to the edge of the 6 yard box and Simon won the ball only to push his header wide of the post.

The Salmon kept pressing, and another WU player with international pedigree, Richie Hallam played a delightful ball through to Craig who put the chance away and the Salmon were back in the game at 3-1 down going in at halftime.

The second half started at a tremendous pace as the Salmon sensed they could get something out of the match and a series of moves forward put the Gulls under serious pressure.

A couple of balls in behind the Gulls defence nearly resulted in clear cut chances but some desperate defence kept them out.

However, when a Gulls player was caught in possession Jeremy’s excellent aggressive challenge won him the ball close to the penalty area and a chance to go for goal beckoned which he keenly took, then unselfishly he played Fulton into an excellent goalscoring position which he calmly converted and the game was 3-2 and anything was now possible.

Some good and thoughtful player rotation kept the Salmon legs reasonably fresh and the team fought hard for the elusive equiliser whilst defending hard as the Gulls pushed forward to try and seal the win.

Kahu who had defended and battled well all afternoon twisted an ankle and was helped from the field.

Steve J. ran and tackled well in the midfield, while Dave A. defended strongly and still managed a few rampaging runs forward in trying conditions.

The team was down to 11 fit players and the pressure was building when the Gulls captain and midfield general steered the ball into the top corner of the net giving the Salmon’s Man of the Match keeper, Richard Martin no chance to save the ball and the Gulls had won 4-2.

A buoyant and mud covered Salmon left the pitch for a hot shower and expertly chilled Corona beer and with thoughts of a match that could have produced a well earned draw against a side chasing the League title.

With the Saints hammering the Legends the Salmon can still salvage their season and push on out of the relegation zone but these close matches will need to start delivering points with only 3 regular season matches left to play.

Who will WU draw in the Chatham Cup as the next round goes fully national ??

Can Mariska score a bundle of goals and keep the Diamonds in the Women’s Central League ??

Will Richard Martin be recalled to St James Park when Alan Pardew watches the Salmon versus Gull’s match on You Tube ??

Will Wycombe Wanderers finally admit they should never have let Richie Hallams go on a free transfer ??

Salmon vs Gulls

Craig
Dave
Rich H
Jeremy
Kahu
Simon
Ashby
Fulton
Richard Martin
Squirt
John Dow
Steve Jessup

WU Salmon vs. Upper Hutt Saints

Wellington United Salmon 2- Upper Hutt Saints 9
(HT- 1-1)

MacAlister Park
24/4/2010

Team:
............Kahu..........
Richard....Simon....Jeremy....Dave
Danny.......Nic..Warrick...Nigel
.........Ben....Craig

Subs:
Adam
John Hudson
Daniel Mitchener

Scorers:
Craig
Daniel M

MOM points:
Simon Healey-3
Danny Culling- 2
John Hudson/Richard Hallam- 1pt each

Once again I have not felt inspired to write up last weeks loss in a full match report- a summary follows.

Salmon started very strong, playing to an agreed plan of sticking close together and working the ball up as a team, through short passes or quick counter attacks. Upper Hutt were an older side but played a controlled, skilful style-they wetaher the Salmon storm and scored the first goal against the run of play. Salmon soon equalised after Danny played a through ball for himself which the skipper, in a marginally offside position poked past the keeper. 1-1 at half time.

Secopnd half was a bit of a shambles-we were down by 3 within very quick succession-John came on as a sub and injected some energy, setting up Dan M's first goal for the Salmon with a near post header. 5-2. Salmon were spurred on but all the good work was soon undone and Salmon capitulated, going down 9-2.

Lots of positivers in the first half, but a second half to forget. MOM goes to Simon, with 2 pts to Danny, and 1 pt each for Richard Hallam (1st half) and John Hudson (2nd half).

The mark of any team worth its salt, or player for that matter, is to brush off set backs and perservere.

Wgtn Utd Salmon vs Tawa AC-Match Report

Wgtn Utd Salmon vs Tawa AC
MacAllister Park
3/4/2010

Wgtn Utd Salmon 2- Tawa AC 3
(HT- 1-1)

Scorers:
Craig Ireson
Dave Armstrong

Team:
..............Kahu..........
Richard....Simon......Enrico*......Dave
Danny......Ben...Jonathon Hudson*....Sean Anderson*
..........Lane....Craig

Subs:
Nathan Rattray*
Chris Scott*

MOM points:
Ben Norman- 3
John Hudson-2
Dave Armstrong-1

(*indicates Salmon debut)


Match Report:

Deja Voodoo all over again for the Salmon as the firstchance of points go begging

Salmon turned up to the new season with 5 debutants in the line up, ready to take on Tawa Saintz at a rock hard MacAllister. The first sign of something awry was when the Tawa captain told us the draw was wrong and that were in fact Tawa AC. This was the same team we had played in a fierce storm at MacAllister in June last year.
They were a handy side, but then again so were the Saintz, so whoever we were playing it was going to be a tough start to the season.

The other glitch in the Matrix was that Sami, so often late but always reliable, decided not to turn up and not to let us know. Worse still he has our only pair of keepers gloves. Luckily Kahu had opted in, and he was happy to go in goal, albeit with one very shabby keeper’s glove.

Salmon started much the stronger, building attacks up the flanks and competing well in the middle thanks to the determination of Ben Norman. Despite the possession we failed to penetrate deep into Tawa territory- our first real foray came after ten minutes, when a Danny through ball had Craig twisting and turning past his man, but the cross-shot to Lane’s head held up in the wind and was easy pickings for the Tawa keeper. In another Matrix-esque déjà vu the Tawa keeper was another B. Norman, our Ben’s brother in fact. Brad Norman had in fact played one game in goal for the salmon a few seasons back, breaking his leg in the dying minutes. The Salmon had bought Brad a guitar to aid his recovery, but he was not to be so charitable to us, denying Salmon goals with an extroverted keeping style.

Tawa started to find some rhythm but Simon had put his impending fatherhood to the back of his mind and was leading the Salmon defence well. The back four was disrupted as Enrico, debuting at centre back, pulled up lame on the cricket pitch and was replaced by fellow debutant Chris Scott. Another newbie, Nathan, who has joined us from Petone AFC, spent most of the first half doing a great job with the whistle.

However after 20 minutes a sweeping cross field move from the ACs was finished sweetly and despite a fairly even share of possession Tawa had the lead.

Salmon were now in danger of going off the boil but the counterattacking breakthrough came from the foot of Kahu in goal, who was launching 50 metre howitzers into the wind. One such clearance went as high as it did long, and seemed to mesmerize the Tawa defence. Craig took advantage of their indecision and ran through onto the kick as it landed ten metres into their half. The skipper stunned the ball with the outside of his left boot, looked up to see the keeper back pedalling and launched a dipping left foot half volley from 30 yards out. The ball swayed from right to left as it traced an arc into the top left hand corner-from almost nothing the Salmon were back in the match with a quality goal poach. Salmon consolidated to go into the break with honours even.

The second half saw Salmon running with the wind, and Salmon were making good yards down the left through Dave Armstrong, and two other debutants John Hudson and Sean Anderson.

However an errant back pass had Tawa take the lead again after only 15 minutes, as their striker stole the ball from the last man and calmly finish past Kahu.

Tawa now looked to grab a further advantage, and some rather dubious referring form their lot saw them have three free kicks within five minutes- one for a fine tackle by Dave Armstrong that left their striker grounded after he tried to push the ball through Dave.

Dave was to make amends when a John Hudson corner was flicked on by Lane Nichols, it landed at the far post where Dave reacted quickest, kneeing the ball into the net. Dave scored one of his backside last year, and one with his knee this year- he has taken over the mantle from Jol Bates as the appendage goalscorer.

Salmon pushed for a winner, but to be honest we were running out of puff- Tawa finished stronger and fitter- a series of three corners in the last five minutes proved s too much for the Salmon to defend- A failed overhead kick from Tawa on the edge of the area had the ball fall at a midfielders boot- he drilled it low and hard-surely a routine save for Kahu? It was not to be, Nathan and Kahu got mixed up on the line and the ball rolled under Kahu’s body. Tawa celebrated like they’d just scored a 40 yard left footed half volley that had hit the top left corner- to be honest they were lucky, albeit fitter and more determined in the end. Salmon pushed again with some good running from Danny, but it was fruitless and Salmon ended the match pointless, but upbeat about the battle.

Just like in 2009 salmon had spurned a chance to take points from the first game. The difference? In 2009 Salmon had squandered a 3 goal lead to lose 4-3 to a team that was clearly no better than us. In 2010 we battled toe to toe against a team that was on the whole younger, quicker and very hard to break down.
If we battle like that in matches to come, and manage to raise our fitness then the luck will start to swing our way. Oh, And we need to get the keepers gloves back from Sami!


Craig

Early Contender for quote of the season

Salmon have just started their preseason training:
Tuesday evenings
7.00-8.30 pm
MacAllister Park, Wellington
All Welcome

A young guy turned up last night and when I asked him if he had played much he said he hadn't played since he was at school... "two years ago".

Given that the average age of the Salmon is mid to late 30's this boy is early contender for youngest ever Salmon and up for the quote of the year.

Is he the first Salmonista to be born in the decade in which Salmon began?

Ian Wilson's Goal-2008

Richard Hallam posted this vid on Youtube a year or two back. It is from the 2008 season, about midway through. This was kind of a turning point game for the Salmon. We had been doing quite poorly, had in fact been beaten by the Tawa Saints in the second game of the season. Then they came to visit us on a warm, but blustery day at MacAllister Park. This is just a few minutes before half time. We had been attacking with the strong wind at our backs the entire half trying to get a goal up before Tawa took the win. Their keeper was taking an age with every goal kick to kill the clock. You can even hear his team moaning at him to hurry up in this clip

It was their downfall, as Ian Wilson swept in to nick the goal, and then we hung on for dear life in the second half.

Great goal-great vid. C'mon Richie we need more on youtube!