Lights go out on Cup charge

Wellington United Salmon 1- Petone For Sure 3
(Half time 0-2)
Wakefield Park #1

Scorer: Craig

MOM points
Kahu Kirikiri- 3 pts
Richard Hallam - 2 pts
Simon Healy 1 pt

Match report by Mr J. Dow

LIGHTS GO OUT ON SALMON CUP CHARGE

The sometimes mighty Salmon faced the Petone For Sure team in a must win Cup match at the salubrious Wakefield Park under lights on a still crisp Monday night.

The Petone team turned up early looking keen and eager and with a large squad determined to get the win which would push them in to a coveted Cup Final appearance, whilst the Salmon looked confident and relaxed pre match.

The Salmon started the match bright and urgent and initially looked the more likely team with the good playing surface conducive to moving the ball accurately and at pace causing Petone some early problems.

However, when a Salmon goalkick landed near the half way line and no one challenged for the ball a Petone fullback hoofed the ball forward and a clever flick on from their striker was suddenly heading for the back of the net for a lucky opening goal. Petone 1-0.

Petone had got the advantage and their confidence suddenly grew, their midfield battled hard, defenders took no prisoners and a couple of awkward but committed strikers were able to hold on to the ball and cause the Salmon defence a series of problems whenever they got the ball.

The Salmon pushed forward looking for the equilizer, Squirt was getting time on the ball in the middle of the park and was able to make a few runs forward, including unleashing a few long range efforts goalwards but off target.

Captain Craig was busily putting pressure on the Petone defenders and their keeper was looking a bit shaky, he was then injured going for a through ball and substituted off.

A tantalising Simon freekick found its way into the area and Captain Craig was clean through for what looked like a certain goal, but the bounce and speed of the ball saw him nudge it over the bar with the goalie completely beaten.

Wazza and Jeremy were working hard to get some ascendancy in the middle of the park with Kahu pushing forward to add support and Simon was constantly under pressure from their large and physical strikers, but keeping them at bay.

Richard H. and James had players running at them down the wings but generally held their own and broke up play before it became a real problem.

Fulton was getting some space on the right wing and on occassions got in behind the fullback and stretched the Petone defence.

The play was often going Petone’s way, aided by some strange refereeing decisions. A dubious foul throw against John D., a freekick against Squirt as he battled to win a corner and then a serious oversight when Captain Craig broke clear and was heading for goal only to be stopped for an “offside” which it clearly wasn’t.

Danny and Dave entered the fray out on the flanks and the Salmon continued to push forward. Dave covering huge amounts of ground with real purpose and urgency. Danny showed his ball playing ability and game awareness to find plenty of quality space which he exploited superbly.

Time and again Danny took players on and made progress, delivering passes at the end of a run that asked serious questions of Petone’s defenders, however despite forcing a couple of corners and freekicks, including one when Captain Craig was chopped on the edge of the box, the Salmon were simply not creating clear scoring opportunities and Petone kept hoofing the ball away up field.

Football can be a cruel mistress and Petone were relishing things going their way when a slow and indecisive clearance from the Salmon defence gifted them their second goal. Petone 2-0.

With their confidence boosted again, Petone laid siege to the Salmon goal, forcing corners, hitting the post twice, as well as forcing Richie Hallam to clear off the line, and generally making Richard Martin work overtime pulling off saves but failing to net a decisive third goal before the half time whistle.

Down 2-0 at the break, the Salmon had some hard work ahead of them to get back into the game.

Petone had their tails up and sensed a win was on offer, when a probing run down their left flank saw their winger clear in behind and a good cut back produced a shot that gave Richard in goal no chance. Petone 3-0 and was the Salmon dream over ?

With nothing to lose the Salmon lifted their intensity and urgency.

Danny kept making dangerous marauding runs forward, Squirt after some time on the bench reasserted himself and Captain Craig with some help from Fulton was pushing the Petone defence hard and gaps were starting to show.

Ashby, fresh from his Asian sojourn, had plenty of legs in the midfield to complement the industrious Jeremy and the Salmon were looking more dangerous and still in the game.

Kahu with an eye for the attacking option knocked a long ball into the path of Captain Craig, who with an excellent turn of pace out stripped the fullback, got himself into an excellent scoring position and duly converted the goal. Salmon 3-1 down but the dream was alive.

Suddenly the game was all on and when Wazza re emerged from the sidelines his swashbuckling style put Petone’s midfield under real pressure and Salmon were winning plenty of the ball and getting forward with a new found enthusiasm.

Richard in goal was directing the traffic at the back with confidence and purpose and with Simon as solid as ever the defensive platform was set for a late surge home and the Salmon went after the game.

Captain Craig knocked a ball through for John D. and the subsequent cut back didn’t produce the shot on target it should have. Craig then went through himself and got pushed wide before his cross/shot flew across the goalmouth and away to safety. John D. clipped a ball over the defence into space in the penalty area which neither Craig or Danny could just quite reach when a goal beckoned.

Still the Salmon battled hard to score again whilst Petone looked to break quickly but to no avail as the Salmon defence held firm.

Then with 5 minutes still on the clock, the lights and the Salmon’s brave Cup run with them, were extinguished.

As darkness descended on Wakefield Park and the reality of what was happening set in, Captain Craig with heavy heart and in deep distress made the honourable decision to concede the game, result and the Salmon’s victorious march to the 2011 Cup Final was well and truly over.

As the shell shocked Salmon troops traipsed off the park, Petone celebrated their team’s greatest achievement to date.

However, all was not lost, as the Salmon players were treated to some outstandingly high quality Beer in the changing rooms, courtesy of Steve Jessup and after some Moa Ale and Emerson Pilsener, it was widely agreed that life wasn’t so bad afterall, and on another day with a kinder and more sympathetic bounce of the ball, it could easily have been the occasionally mighty Salmon who would be preparing for a Cup Final appearance next week.

Salmons Rise as Legends Falter

Div 9/10 'B' Cup- Round One
Wellington United Legends 3-Wellington United Salmon 3
(Halftime 1-3)

Te Whaea

Scorers:
Craig Ireson (2)
Richard 'Squirt' Morrison

MOM Points
Richard 'Squirt' Morrison - 3 pts
Simon Healy- 2 pts
Jeremy Norman/Warrick Jackson- 1 pt each

Match report by John Dow:

SALMON LEAP WHILE LEGENDS FALL, THEN RISE

A stunningly beautiful clear night welcomed the leaping Salmon to Te Whaea for the first round Cup clash with the Legends on Friday August 5.
The Salmon were in buoyant mood after the excellent last round victory over the Tawa Bears, the team’s first win in over 2 and 1/2 months, a result that had put the team level with the Legends on the final league table, but with an inferior goal difference.
With conditions perfect, the surface excellent, the Salmon willing and the Legends starting the match in a sluggish mode it was quickly one way traffic towards the Legends goal.
Within the first few minutes a well flighted freekick from Simon was knocked onwards by Fulton into the welcoming run of Captain Craig in the 6 yard box and it was 1-0.
The Salmon midfield were completely dominating and the team pushed forward at every opportunity with the Legends offering minimal resistance. Nic and Johny were well on top and Jeremy was getting plenty of ball going forward and often outpacing his opponents down the flank, while Fulton was proving a handful on the wide right.
Squirt was covering a huge amount of territory and looking very strong and creative on the ball in a top level all round performance.
It was his own excellent work just outside the penalty area that created space for an outstanding long range effort that left the keeper scrambling to no good effect and it was 2-0 to the Salmon.
The Salmon defence was holding firm with Richard and James blocking the flanks and Simon and Wazza despite a couple of mis communications generally having the better of the Legends attack.
Captain Craig was getting a plethora of ball in good positions and once hit the post and then saw another goal bound strike superbly pushed away by a keeper who was seeing plenty of the ball and feeling totally vulnerable and exposed by a fragile, disorganised defence.
Another goal finally came Craig’s way, and it was a good quality longer range effort from a difficult angle.
The Salmon were on fire and in complete control of the match having produced their best display this season for over 30 minutes leaving the Legends chasing shadows and at 3-0 it looked like a big score was beckoning.
However, the Legends made a few intelligent substitutions, reorganised their midfield and defence and started to push players forward and the game’s momentum started to shift.
A midfield scramble saw Squirt dispossessed in a dangerous position and the Legends player thrashed a shot from 30 metres into the top of the net and the Legends were getting back in the game.
The Salmon midfield were starting to lose their earlier control, players were tiring and balls forward slowed down and the game evened out as half time approached.
While the Legends rotated players regularly the Salmon stuck with the original eleven and intelligently battled it out till half time with the 3-1 lead preserved.
The second half saw a decidedly more motivated, aggressive and better organised Legends team take the field with winning the match firmly on their minds.
The Salmon were in for a massive battle to retain the lead and the defence ably led by Simon were under huge pressure as the Legends pushed forward at speed and in numbers.
A slick passing move saw an opportunity open up and suddenly the Legends scored and were right back in the match.
Despite the pressure and attacking determination of the Legends the Salmon also started to carve out a few opportunities of their own and the game swung from end to end.
However, it was the Legends who scored again to bring the teams level at 3-3 with 20 minutes to go and they started to look the more likely to go on and win the match.
The Salmon kept fighting hard and with some fresh legs added to the fray started to make some dangerous inroads into the Legends defence and a few genuine chances started to appear.
The Legends goalkeeper muffed a goal kick and Captain Craig nearly had a golden scoring opportunity and a corner from John D. was nearly met by Wazza who threw himself forward in the penalty area.
Johny Sneyd and Lane started to once again get some go forward in the midfield and Dave A. burst down the left like a man possessed while Squirt returned to his first half form in patches that clearly worried the Legends.
However, the Legends still fancied there chances of a come from behind win and the Salmon defence continued to be put under immense pressure which they handled very well, Adam and Dave as fullbacks tackled solidly while Simon and Wazza held firm in the middle ably supported by Richard in goal who had a solid match, while the midfield continuously tracked back and worked very hard defensively.
The Salmon constantly forced the Legends wide and quickly dispatched any loose ball forward or if required over the sideline which proved an effective approach and successfully kept the Legends at bay.
Some quick balls forward also had the Salmon looking dangerous and some late corners should have produced more scoring chances but it was not to be and the game ended as a 3-3 draw, the same score as the first match of the season between the same teams.

Can the Salmon now go on and put a bucketful of goals past the Karori Rovers and Petone teams and reach the Cup Final through a superior goal difference to the Legends who will be hoping to do the same themselves ?

Will the Rovers or Petone cause an upset and trip either the Salmon or Legends up by grabbing a result or successfully keeping the goals against down ?

Is Friday Night Football on the Artificial Pitch the primary reason for a large, keen squad or have some of the Salmon “part timers” sensed a late season Cup winning surge is now a distinct possibility and something they want to be part of ?

Will Captain Craig get another call up to Capital Division One just when the Salmon need him to maintain his goal scoring form that can take the team to a Cup Final ?

Oh dear- a walloping

WU Salmon 1 UH Saints 12
(Half time 0-9)
Melrose

Scorer: Jeremy
MOMPts
Jeremy 3
Terry 2
James Stewart 1

Incredibly hard to put this into words, so thank f*#k i don't have to- John Dow has opted for humour. As much as we were poor, and we were, we also did not have an ounce of luck go our way. The test of character wasn't last weekend it will be next weekend when we have to dust ourselves off and let who ever is unlucky enough to play us next know that we are pissed off.

i think a training is in order _thursday or Wednesday at the Chinese cultural centre- passing and defending will be the main focus.
Lastly, it was a rubbish time to be the club team and have to do bar duty so thanks to those who helped out- especially James and Matthew who stayed til the end- it shows character to hang around after a thumping and sink some beers at the clubby!

Was it our worst ever loss? probably but like i said it will be worse if we let us get to us-

Over to Mr Dow:


BABOONS SILENCED BY SALMON CAPITULATION

Wellington Zookeeper Rupert Ramshaw reported that for the first time in living memory his beloved Baboons were in stunned silence after witnessing the first half capitulation of the once Mighty Salmon against Upper Hutt Saints on Saturday May 30. The 9-0 half time score had left his playful and usually supportive animals in a state of complete shock leading to threats to cancel the popular and usually well attended “ Afternoon Tea Party” for which they are famous.

When word of such a reaction filtered through to Newtown Park, Wellington United historians were searching their books for comparisons of other dark days in the club’s long history.

Established in 1893, WU has nearly 120 years of events, matches, campaigns, victories and humiliations from which to consider this first half annihilation against.

Could this rout be seen alongside the desperately sad occasion when 3 of the club’s finest ever players went down with the Titanic at the end of a long season in 1912 ??

Or the embarrassment the club endured when on that same fateful night, Cyril Vile the second team Coach survived, wearing a dress and wig, by leaping onto a lifeboat using the dubious name of Cybil. For many years after the “Cyril Vile Trophy” was handed out to the season’s individual who had brought the most shame and ridicule to the club each season.

How bad was this first half ?, the only sign of Salmon defensive resistance came when a stray dog parked himself in the 6 yard box for 2 minutes and the Saints momentarily lost confidence and started shooting high and wide.

Perhaps the sound of the half time whistle which was clear, confident and resolute can be noted as not only the best contribution from a Salmon player to this tale of first half woe but also a much awaited relief from the pain and suffering the whole team was experiencing.

First to articulate a remedy and change of approach was Adam who captured the mood and urgency of the situation and exalted the team to tackle the second half as a completely new and fresh challenge.

A move back to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation saw the defence start to become tighter, more committed and in pursuit of a second half clean sheet ably encouraged by the talking of Richard and Dave. Saints suddenly found scoring much more difficult and the team’s started to even up.

Terry started to get on the ball and pushed passes around and keeping possession was suddenly back in vogue despite a few lapses and Salmon gift giving.

However, the real revelation was the hard running and committed play from Jeremy and Wozza who repeatedly won the ball in the middle of the park and kept pushing the team forward at every opportunity.

Jeremy’s all action play saw him match the best the Saints could offer, his defensive work held them at bay, while he also proved a real handful for their defence as he constantly burst forward and proved impossible to contain. His stunning last minute strike a totally deserved outcome for a very impressive half of football, coming from a great set up from Craig.

Wozza also imposed himself on the Saints, winning lots of ball, getting passes forward and in one glorious movement battled through 4 consecutive 50/50 situations before emerging with the ball at his feet near the edge of the area, then impressed with his awareness to see the great run of Fulton who he then played into a clear goalscoring situation and a very real opportunity to score was narrowly missed. Another excellent performance.

A battling second half, although lost 3-1, showed once again that the sometimes Mighty Salmon can actually compete with any team in this division.

However, Upper Hutt demonstrated the importance of combinations, off the ball running, and a positive attacking attitude with lots of talk amongst their players.

While the first half of this match will forever be known in WU history and Zoo folklore as the day the “ Baboons were Silenced” the second half clearly showed what this side is capable of.

How will the Salmon selectors respond to such a comprehensive capitulation ?? They have shown great skill and understanding in turning around other poor performances already this season.
Will the WU club consider reintroducing the “Cyril Vile Trophy” should such a half of football ever be served up again this season.

Will aspects of this first half be included in one of Dave Armstrong’s next plays, appropriately titled “The Descent of Man” ??

Should every individual take a big long hard look at themselves in the mirror the morning of the next match and make a personal commitment to never allowing a repeat of such a footballing travesty ever to happen again ??

Match report from the far left wing

This week we have a guest writer- Mr John Dow. I have merely added the game facts at the start- Thanks JD!

WU Terrace 0- WU Salmon 3
(Half time 0-2)

Newtown Park
Referee: 074 Grieve Frank

Scorers:
Craig Ireson (2, 1pen)
Mathew Fulton

MOM:
3pts Richard Hallam- A full 90 in centre back and a clean sheet
2 pts Simon Healy- A master class in defensive headers against a team which only knows one route to goal
1pt Michael Ashby- far and away his best perfromance yet, dedicated, direct and confident
1 pt Craig Ireson- two well taken goals and won the ball back like a midfielder



MIGHTY SALMON TRIUMPH ON HALLOWED TURF

On a weekend when 5 teams were fighting for their survival in the English Premier League the Mighty Salmon were marching onto the hallowed turf of Newtown Park for the first time this season, albeit as an away team looking like a bunch of escapees from a St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Despite near perfect playing conditions, a pitch in good shape and the allocation of a real referee our exotic opposition threatened to ruin the day with their shambolic time keeping and lack of organisation resulting in a delayed kick off and the start of the match seeing only 9 Orange clad footballers on the field. This quickly became 11.

The Salmon selectors determined to learn from the painful loss to the Legends the week before, set out the team’s objectives of a clean sheet, 2-3 goals to be scored, some expansive football on the large pitch and plenty of running and effort whilst keeping one step ahead of The Terrace’s reputation for niggly, disruptive play.

In the opening period the ball was played out confidently from the back and with the midfield dominating the ball went forward quickly and efficiently to the lone ranging striker Craig who was ably supported by some mobile play from Squirt, Fulton and Ashby.

While Nick and Kahu were scrapping it out in the middle of the park to good effect they also still managed to get forward and create a few chances and Nick put 2 outstanding raking long balls to Craig which generated genuine chances that didn’t produce goals which on another day they could have.

The breakthrough finally came when John D. clipped a corner to the edge of the 6 yard box and Simon headed a dangerous ball into the goalmouth and a Terrace player handled and the referee pointed to the spot.

Up stepped top goalscorer Ireson and the keeper had no chance, 1-0.

The Salmon were dominating the match and after a useful cross from (Wozza or Squirt ??) the ball bounced loose in the 6 yard box and quick as a flash Fulton got there first and steered the ball into the net for a well deserved goal, 2-0.

A quick half time turnaround and immediately The Terrace were on attack refusing to give in and pushing forward at every opportunity only to be thwarted by the strong central defenders Richard and Simon, and the tenacious defending of Dave and Adam.

Backed up by keeper Richard the defence were committed to achieving the elusive clean sheet the selectors had pleaded for pre match while the midfield worked hard to dominate and keep the Salmon flowing forward.

However goals were proving hard to come by and a slim 2-0 lead gave The Terrace some hope and belief they could still get something out of the game.

However, with 15 minutes to go the ball broke to John D. who played a first time 40 metre pass that cut through and in behind the defence and left striker Craig on a clean break with only the keeper to beat and a clinical finish ended any hopes and dreams The Terrace were clinging to and the game was effectively won, 3-0.

There was still some more action though as another John D. corner was flicked on by Simon and Wozza was nearly in for the 4 th goal, while at the other end The Terrace striker blazed over the bar from 6 yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Overall, the pre match objectives were achieved, Simon’s return at the back greatly assisted the defence keep a clean sheet, 3 good goals were scored and a few other good chances were created, Fulton and Ashby got through a huge amount of running and their pace and enthusiasm caused The Terrace big problems all over the park, Dave got some good moves happening down the left flank while showing he could also get back quickly and his photo on the front cover of Monday’s paper was fully deserved, Adam tidied up the right back spot and also showed some pace getting forward, James managed to cover lots of ground and is still in search of his ideal position ( something the selectors are aware of and contemplating), Squirt seemed to have got over his hammy problem and made some good passes and movements as did Kahu whose fitness should benefit from his first game back after a few weeks away. Wozza showed after a disrupted start that his recent Man of the Match performance is likely to be repeated and his keenness in the penalty area will soon produce a few goals. Nick’s tackling was strong and a couple of sublime passes hinted at what could be when a little extra match fitness takes full effect. Richard H. was solid and reliable as ever and Richard the Goalie celebrated the Salmon’s first clean sheet of this season, which as a keeper you can’t do any better than that. Craig’s 2 goals were well taken and his running into space his best this season stretching The Terrace all afternoon, his goalscorer’s ego and natural sense of superiority should be well satisfied for at least a week. John D.’s fitness is improving and a few passes showed small glimpses of his form from his best ever season which was 32 years ago.

Have the Mighty Salmon turned the corner and set themselves for a majestic run of great results and with it a charge up the league ladder ??
Or was this a simple victory over a winless team who are rooted to the bottom of the table ??

What brilliant strategy and set of objectives will the selectors produce for the next match ??
Will Fulton mount a challenge to Craig to become the team’s top goalscorer ??

Are hard fought clean sheets going to become a regular occurrence ??
Will Dave Armstrong continue to keep Rachel Hunter off the front page of The Dom Post ??