14/06/08

Stop Out JPL 16/17 v Lower Hutt.

After a 7 – 0 thumping of Upper Hutt and a “soulless” capitulation against Rathkeale 7 -2, it was time to right the ship with a return battle from Lower Hutt.

After a stern talking to at half time last week the team had a heartening second half turnaround and competed with much more determination. The prospects of some continued good football looked on the cards

ST BERNARDS

A wet Trafalgar Park and a return fixture with St Bernards.

A good side that hadn’t got many results St Bernards we’re playing a similar style to Aotea, physical and direct. Are all these teams coached by Englishmen? We were excited by the squad swelling to 12 and it augered well with a positive start. Chances were created at both ends but Stop Out had more! The team had a more settled structure with the old back four reinstated with Nathan and Ben in the heart with Jerry and Andy on the flanks. Mike was joined by Angelo in centre midfield with width from Matt and Sam. Karl and Logan were up front. Medo arrive early but was still late and started off the bench!

To cut a long story short we missed a bucketful and they scored a poxy goal before half time and then hit the post, when they should have scored, straight after the break. We pushed for an equaliser and created some wonderful opportunities that wouldn’t go in “the old onion bag” 1 – 0 loss and another lesson that the higher up the grades you go it becomess crucial that the few chances that you get are converted. Some impressive passing moves though and a lot of players developing into fine footballers!

A controlling game from Nathan at the back and the best games of the year from Sam and Logan.

AOTEA

The challenge was immense…Top side Aotea.

With the bare 11 the challenge grew tougher.

Sadly our eye was off the ball (like Ronaldo!!!!) as we waited for Medo to roll up within five minutes of kick- off. Again we took the field in a hurried state of flux.

Nathan had succumbed to a back injury so the back four was rearranged but Andy jumped into the centre back role with aplomb. We started well and we created three clear cut, one on one chances with the keeper which we squandered. A good lesson that games can be won and lost in a flash of an eyeAotea mustered their first attack and scored. No justice. The first half was evenly contested but the physicality and their direct style meant a 3 – 0 half time lead. The lads never gave up and some superb keeping from Jacko kept the Aotea side scoreless in the second half.

A good performance nonetheless and strong games from Ben, Andy and Mikey meant the team showed their true character.

Stop Out v Lower Hutt

It was an unusual day…

It started fine, then it rained, It started still then it blew
It started sunny and then turned cold and hostile and
we had a home game … at Sladden Park. Bizarre!

13/04/08

Stop Out v Rathkeale College

It was double header time as we ventured back to Awakairangi for the second time in 24 hours. Why we were playing a second round of fixtures for the weekend when we have 5 teams in our division who knows?

12/04/08

Stop Out v Upper Hutt

An awesome autumn day greeted us as we traveled to Awakairangi Park to play Upper Hutt. Fortunately there was no ice on the field as in previous years and a quick warm up ensued as we were transferred from No1 down to No 4.