End of Year Awards and Wrap up 2012

The 2012 Season was a strange one- no cancellations, a raft of new players and the return of some older ones, a huge squad and yet we were scratching around for players in the end. We had our best finish in the league for 3 years, but still only just staved off relegation. It was our worst finish in the cup ever; still enough highlights  in the season to make it all seem worthwhile with the game against Meke which will go down in Salmon folklore as one of the great escapes. (If i ever get time ill recount the other great games in our folkore!)

The defining moments were the two night defeats against Naenae (5-0) and Petone (5-1). They were two lacklustre efforts immediatley after we had secured good victories- had we won them, and both games were winnable, we could have challenged for a top four finish. I say this every year but if we can reatin the same team, put in soem training and take personal responsibiltiy for fitness over the break - we could make a good fist of getting back into the top four, if not the top two and challenging for silverware next year.

Here are the Salmon season awards for 2012

Best ‘in game’ – Highest Scorers in MOM point system

Tie-

Richard Martin (10 pts)

Michael Ashby (10 pts)

Goal Scorers

Golden Boot

Craig Ireson-23 goals

Silver Boot

Matthew Fulton- 6 goals

Steve Westcott – 4 goals

Sam Mills – 3 goals

Danny Culling – 1 goal

Max Rashbrooke- 1 goal

John Hudson – 1 goal

‘Steve Austin Bionic Man’ award

To Callum; consistently the shortest man on the field and out jumping everyone & bonus points for his Naked 400 winnning exploits

Lisa Simpson award for Attendance

Tie: Matt Fulton and Craig Ireson- 17 appearances each

The Who is Max Rashbrooke award for rarest Salmon:
Max Rashbrooke (2 appearances, and these still netted a goal and some MOM points!)

Supporter of the Year

Kahu Kirikiri

Injured in the preseason Kahu came to two games, seeing us whip BNU and then reffed for us against North Wellington.

Best Opposition

Island Bay JJs

Hard and fair, two draws was a good result against them

Worst opposition

Really? Naenae were shocking-no nets, a ref who couldn't run, an assault, a sh*t ground, a dubious penalty in the last game- a horrible club. To be fair however they did react appropriatley against their guy who punched Ashby and that is to their credit, but last time we were on that ground Kahu had his ribs broken, so there must be something about them.

The young guys from Meke and North Wgtn were lippy and arrogant- what is about the youuth of today? Sam and Callum weren't like that however!

Game of the year

Winner

6-5 versus Meke

It had it all really, mutliple come backs- a 40 metre chipped goal, hissy fits, a penatly denied, poor goalkeeping and a cracking free kick- plus a Salmon victory!

Runners up:

5-1 vs Naenae

Probably the most consistent performance all year.

3-3 vs Island Bay

Many felt like this was a loss; in fact it was a very hard fought and well earnt 1 point.

Assist of the Year

Ashby's slalom run against Naenae which ended him tangling with the tackler, only to be punched in the jaw. The free kick was converted and Ashby played on. The assailant didn't.

Goal of the year

Craig's Free kick against Meke- OK the wall was poorly placed but it was a bullet drive from 25 yards which sealed a classic victory.

Runners Up

Fultons tap in header after a lung busting run vs Island Bay- great build up work from Callum, led to a great run and pinpoint cross from Steve W.

Craig's first of the season and the 2nd against Uni  at Melrose- Danny and Steve did all the work but the finish, a top of the box screamer was nice- it was only a consolation goal however

Steve W's aforementioned 40 metre chip from a throw in against Meke- great vision and it set us rolling on the 2nd half fight back

Steve W's scything run and shot vs Brooklyn- Craig set him off and he collected and lashed the finish just inside the box

& now for the big awards

Player of the Season
Richard Martin
Consistently one of the best players on the park from either team- his athleticism and attitude kept us in many games much longer than we should have been, and in many cases his heroics brought us home the points.

Runner's up
Callum Crane

The Tasmanian Devil was a standout at right back, showing great technique in tackling, heading and passing.

Michael Ashby
No goals but lots of hard running and positive attitude- plenty to suggest his best is still yet to come and that the elusive net will be found!

We used to have a most improved award, but some felt it was a kind of backhaned compliment, if we still awarded it i think it would go to Ashby.

Craig Ireson

23 goals from 17 games? A pretty good return. He set a few up too, only a few though.

Fresh Fish-Best newcomer

It was close and there were plenty of good newcomers this year; Steve W must also be mentioned for some great skill and power in midfield but over the course of the season it came down to:

Callum Crane

Runner's Up

Ashby

Steve Westcott

Sam Mills

Fulton

Spirit of the Salmon (tie)
Dave Armstrong/Adam Holloway
Runner's up
Richard Martin
Craig Ireson

Inaugaurated into the Order of the Salmon 2012- (Lifetime Membership)

Steve Jessup

Match Report- Cup Play off 2012

Capital Division Ten- Play off for 7/8 Places

Naenae Unify 3- Wellington United Salmon 3

(Half time 1-3)

Naenae Park

Scorer:
Craig Ireson (3)

MOM Points

Craig Ireson- 3 pts

Michael Ashby- 2 pts

Richard Martin – 1pt

SALMON SHARE THE SPOILS, AS RUBBISH PITCH RUINS THE LAST HURRAH

This was such a bizarre game it is worth writing up in full.

With the 22 man squad at full stretch salmon only just managed to field a fit 11 at game time, relying on ex-keeper Sami to take the gloves (freeing Rich Martin to mid field) and Sunday Blazer Mataio. With Dave Armstrong having to leave at half time to catch a plane to Auckland and James Stewart on injury watch, we knew from the outset 11 players wasn’t going to be enough.

Naenae Park had clearly seen better days, with three or four huge mud puddles in the centre, although the wings seemed in good nick. We got underway and made immediate headway down the left, with Ashby running smartly onto through balls from Sam, Mataio and Rich in the middle. It didn’t take long for the breakthrough, as the sticky pitch made it hard for Naenae to clear and Craig pounced on a loose ball just inside the box and chipped home over the keeper for 1-0.

The home referee soon evened things up when Naenae pushed down the right and into the box for the first time, the striker seemed to be clipped by Callum’s tackle and the penalty was awarded-although he himself admitted it was no such thing. The podgy striker made no mistake for 1-1.

But Salmon were on form- a Mataio through ball drew the keeper out wide and left, and Craig ran through to guide the ball into the empty net from 18 yards for 2-1.

Salmon were dominant now, especially down the left as Dave and Ashby kept working hard to create chances- Ashby had a great shot after a long run forward and earned a corner, and then soon after he scuffed a pass to Craig, and as the defence held off in expectation of the second attempt he chipped a great shot against the cross bar, surprising everyone.

Naenae must have sensed Ashby was the danger man because the next time he ran forward he was clattered from behind and, as he fell, he tripped his assailant. The red mist descended and what was an innocuous 50-50 became a serious assault- the guy jumped up and punched Ashby in the jaw; then stood over him like a maniac. All hell broke loose, but to the Salmon’s credit we kept it tight, and to Naenae’s credit they realised the severity and he was given his marching orders.

We made them pay immediately as the free kick was whipped in to the 6 yard box by Craig, and the keeper totally misjudged the speed, palming it into the net for 3-1.

With Dave due to fly to Auckland at half time we proceeded to try and make them pay but could not manage a fourth.

In the second half we started brightly again- Callum got goal side down the right and put some good balls across, Sam was played in a few times and Ashby kept up the running-Naenae pulled one back after about 20 minutes, it was well finished but was against the run of play.

When James pulled up lame after  25 minutes salmon lost all shape, on a normal pitch its hard to play with nine- on a quagmire its nigh on impossible. To our immense credit we managed to keep them out for about ten minutes but with ten to go they equalised and then we were just holding on-Their finishing was dire though-they had plenty of chances to win it. At the whistle it was 3-3 – if we had 11 men we would have trounced them, with 9 we only just managed to hold on.

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!

Salmon avoid losing like the Plague

Wellington United Salmon 2- Brooklyn Northern United 1
Halftime 1-1
Newtown Park

Scorer:
Craig Ireson (2)

MOM Points
Adam Ray -3
Dave Armstrong 2
Callum 1

We won! Nuff Said? oh, alright- The Plague put up a pretty good fight, but were fairly toothless up front. We dominated and played nice football but couldn't put them away until about 12 minutes to go. it got pretty niggly becuase it was so close byt Dave did a damn fine job with the whistle, as well as putting a good shift in as left back in the first half. Both goals came from Craig- first was after their right back coughed up possesion (needlessly) after Ashby put him under some pressure- Craig pounced and driled the ball home. Second was via a long ball from Nic, which bisected the last man and Keeper- Craig took it off them and despite being fouled by the keeper managed to stay upright to prod home into an emptty net from 6 yards.

Overall a fun game BNU are good guys and came back for a beer in the club, but really we did it tough when we mostly outpassed and outplayed them.

Unicorns too good for Salmon

Victoria University Unicorns 4- WU Salmon 2

Halftime 2-1

Wellington College Turf

Scorers

Sam Mills

Matt Fulton

MOM Pts

Sam Mills 3 Pts

Callum Crane 2 Pts

Richard Martin 1 Pt

When is a loss like a win? When you are comprehensively beaten by a team by 6 goals, then turn up to play them again and, despite matching them in the first 30 minutes, go down to 2 well taken goals, only to storm back to take the game down to the wire.

As I said post match; if we played like this every week we’d be chaellnging for the top two, rather than midtable.

We started with ten men so had to grab a Wgtn College boy to fill in for the first five minutes while Tom got ready. We also had the services of Louis mcDonald- since his father John  used to play a few games for the Salmon it means that we are now a 2nd generational team!

The first ten minutes, possibly more, were a real tussle. We sat back nice and deep and absorbed what they threw at us, much to their frustration. After 20 minutes or so they broke through- their deaf striker had a great first touch and finish. Soon after it was two and we were looking at a long night ahead.

Then we won a corner from a Preddle through ball- Craig's cross found Sam unmarked just inside the box and he drilled his header home.

2-1 at the break and Uni knew we were a different team to last time.

We looked deadly down the flanks, with Ashby on the left and Callum on the right marauding- alas they got a third after 15 mins in the 2nd half- A drilled shot was saved by Rich but he couldn't get up for the rebound whcih dribbled over the line- Tom cleared but the ref signalled the goal. We held on and kept at them, working our way into the game- Ashby set up Fulton whose chip shot was just clawed wide by the keeper, and Nic was getting into shooting range.

With the clock running down Uni started pushing for the killer 4th, but when they hit yet another shot wide of the mark the ensuing goal kick was drillled down field, and (as discussed at lenght in the pub afterwards) no fewer than four Salmon nudged the ball onwards toward goal before Fulton finished witha fine chip from a tight angle to make it 3-2 with 7 to play. Uni were worried and their defensive fraility started to shopw as the Salmon now pushed with purpose.

The fight back was short lived, as we pushed they unleashed a ball down the right- a deep lying Lane had the ball skid past him and their tall timber forward ran onto it. Despite missing a mulititude of chances in the match he made this one count. 4-2 with 5 to play. Salmon finished well, winning a further two corners. It was all too late. We acquited ourselves well and gave Uni a run for their dosh, but when it comes down to it Uni are quite simply a better team, not a great team & not wuite as good as they think they are, but clearly the best team in this league, who should now go onto win it. But in football any team can have their day and if we meet them again in the cup we need only play like we did last Thursday to run them close again. 

We also showed we are good enough to foot it with any team in this league when we start strong and fight for the 90.

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.

Petone For Sure 3- Wellington United Salmon 4

Petone For Sure 3- Wellington United Salmon 4

(Halftime 2-2)

Te Whiti Park

Scorers:
Craig Ireson (3)
Jonathon Hudson

MOM Points:

Jonathon Hudson -3pts

Michael Ashby – 2pts

Craig Ireson-1pt

Salmon were looking very short on Friday with only 9 players available- a call to the club was met with some reinforcements from the Elite and former Salmon Jonathon Hudson, who now plays for the Third team.

To add to the sense of disorganisation Capital Football had double booked us on Petone #2 so moved us to 12.30, then decided to move us again to the lush League pastures of Te Whiti Park.

So it was almost a result in itself that at 12.00 we had a full squad of 14 turn up, with Wazza making his 2012 debut.

Within 2 minutes Salmon had opened the scoring, something we were not used to doing so soon. Jessup sent a carefully weighted through ball over the defence for Jonathon to run onto, and run he did. He drove towards the near post, drawing out the keeper before rolling it across the box to Craig who slotted a simple left footed tap in.

Salmon then took the ascendancy, winning plenty of ball in the middle and releasing the wings for romps. Despite the organised manner it was a disorganised Petone defence which contributed to the second. Steve Westcott put a ball through for Craig, which was intercepted by the Centre Back on half way. Confused and under pressure he turned and played it into the path of Craig who took it in his stride and pushed past the cover defence to score a 1v1 against a now very irate Petone keeper. Craig was played in for a third after Jonathon picked him out with a pin point chip into the box, but the keeper smothered the rushed shot.

To their credit Petone scrambled, and with the strong wind at their backs picked up a first against the run of play with a long, looping cross –shot from the left.

With ten to go until the break Petone got a comic equaliser, as Richard M. and the defence got the wires cross and their head-banded striker, a ring in from Miramar no less, got between them to head into the goal. The comedy came from Tom H. and Adam H. falling over themselves to usher the ball into the goal, fighting a losing battle as the wind pushed the ball onward.

Petone pushed for a third but Salmon held out; it was probably a fair reflection of the half that it was a deadlock but the wind was worth at least one goal in the second half.

And so it transpired. The next 35 minutes were all Orange- The Elite lads really played their part, as did Ashby, running hard and pressuring the middle of the park. The third came from a wind assisted long ball which Craig took around the keeper for another tap in.

The goals could have kept coming but for a few smart saves from the agile For Sure keeper. Matt Fulton could have had his seconds for the season when he narrowly missed from a corner. The fourth goal came from Wazza marauding down the left wing; a cross was pushed onto the post by Fulton and the rebound fell kindly to Jonathon at the far post for a tap in. 4-2 with 15 to go and the salmon were in cruise control.

But it wasn’t to be a cruisy end after another mix up at the back allowed their bandanna’d predator a second goal with 9 to play. Salmon now went backs to the wall as Petone pushed for the equaliser. It would have been a travesty had they found it as Salmon were the better team throughout the day save for a few key moments. Just like against the Meke Salmon managed to hold out and took all three points, climbing back up the table to fourth.

Well done lads, the challenge is now to back it up with an even better performance this coming Saturday at Melrose against the youthful North Wellington.

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.

The Season kicks off- WU Salmon vs. Island Bay JJs

The 2012 season kicked off last night with the newly relegated Salmon debuting in Div 10 against the nomadic JJ's of Island Bay, formerly of Petone. Some new faces were joined by some old with the return of Tom Murphy to add steel to the defence.

Salmon had the better running of the first half but the skipper squandered three good chanes to score to leave it 0-0 at the break. New recruit Steve Westcott, formerly of Upper Hutt, scored a cracking solo goal from midfield, before JJ's big timber pulled one back from a pinpoint corner- there it ended 1-1, a good resuly and more a point earned in the end rather than 3 pts lost, as Richard Martin was the busier of the two keepers with many fine saves.

Island Bay JJ's 1- WU Salmon 1
Wakefield Park #1
(Half time 0-0)
Scorer: Steve Westcott
MOM: Steve Westcott (3pts)
Richard Martin (2pts)
Tom Murphy (1pt)

First game for 2012

Salmon go down 4-1 against Elite in a pre-season friendly. Lots of positive signs-three new young 'uns and the return of Adam 'Manta' Ray.