Voyle Park Rangers

Morrinsville 2, Voyle Park 0 (friendly)

‘twas only a friendly but losing still sucks! Certainly not our best performance of the year and we can’t really complain about the final result. What to say….

Well the ground was shocking, bit odd to aerate the soil before the end of the season so that even our fine skills were negated (was it a conspiracy?). 

No one was sin-binned this time around (yeah we miss James), in fact the whinging aggro git wasn’t too bad – even called himself offside and was fairly pleasant. They guy who wiped out Gareth didn’t say a word and just walked straight to the changing room – so even Gareth couldn’t get in a shoving match.

Norm did his usually run through half their team but couldn’t convert this week. Phil got all excited and looked like he was hungry for more goals ut just failed to get the shots away.

Tim and Shane did well to protect the flanks but it was hard work at the back when their midfield came running through so they always had the numbers on us. Backs too far back, midfield still up front from our attacks - so their speed and numbers on the break swamped us.

Two more injuries so thank goodness the season is over – funny you never see Bob, Chris T or me miss games due to injury, they bred ‘em tough in our day (bodies of steel in fact)!

All good fun though and we ended the season still as a team that simply won’t lie down for anyone.

Golden Boot

Burying crosses coming in from the right seems to be Chris T’s forte as he slotted another one home. Mid-week activity obviously managed to extend his reach by that inch and there was never any doubts that the ball was going to end up in the back of the net.

Campbell stays in top spot while Chris joins Mark and Gareth in second spot one goal back.

Assuming we have a friendly this weekend it could be an interesting finish to the golden boot competition. Campbell is away and Gareth is injured so the pressure is on Chris and Mark to see if they can steal the glory.

Awards 7 September

Player of the Day

This week the clear winner is that magnificent man and his flying gloves. The 3 points goes to Runty who kept us in the game, especially in the first half, with a string of fine saves. From towering above the crossbar to saving shots from close with cat like reflexes, he did it all. Norm picks up 2 – this week for his contribution going forward, including the pinpoint cross that led to the goal.  Lester gets 1 for his steady control in the midfield and robust defense.

• Cam                        16
• Gareth                     13
• Clayton                   12
• Lester                     11
• Norm                       10

Even with Campbell away for the last game, it looks like he has this prize all sewn up. Gareth is the only one in position to draw level but he’s out injured so unless I make up new rules, congratulations Campbell.

Team Man

This week the point goes to Lester for the way he encouraged and supported those around him.

• Chris D                5
• Geoff                   4
• Lester                  4
• Runty                  3
• Cam                   3

 Can Geoff or Lester sneak a share of the spoils next week?

TA Sports 2, Volye Park 1

Don’t the top teams get a bit grizzly when the ‘lesser’ teams give them a good run for their money!

Another game that could have been. All square at the break with the opposition complimenting us on our defence. Not sure we had even 2 minutes possession in the first 20 but despite that, they had to rely on long shots as there was no way through. The first half excitement was limited to some great saves from our flying ‘keeper and the dork with the rat tail getting grumpy with Lester (who has obviously perfected the look of absolute innocence – ‘what, how could you get upset with me?’).

Second half and almost straight away we could see why they wanted their ref on. She was a shocker! Campbell’s penalty shout looked pretty good and not only did she not give it, a few dickheads went on about diving. Seeing as he has damaged ribs, not quite why he would dive onto hard ground but there you go. She also blew Phil up just for fondling pony tails ‘bits’ – always thought that was allowed in soccer.

So anyway….. some nice work down the flank by Norm and a pinpoint cross resulted in a well taken goal by Chris T. That certainly lit the fire for TA, they came straight back and leveled in about 20 seconds. They then pressed hard until eventual they managed to slot home the winner near to the end (again).

If one was so inclined, one could almost feel a tad disappointed despite the jolly good show we put on.

PRIZE GIVING

PRIZE GIVING

20 September

Voyle Park Clubrooms

Golden Boot

Phil is no longer a virgin and joins the leader board.

Lester’s stunner means he’s within striking distance but Campbell continues to lead with Gareth breathing down his ….. neck

Awards 31 August

Player of the Day

Undoubtedly it was the rock at the back – Norm. He totally bossed their attack and still provided some deft touches on the ball (3).

Gareth and Lester pick up 2 each as our midfield held their own both in attack and on defense. Not a single pussy tackle to be seen from either of them.

Carrying on my magnanimous ways, both Shane and Chris T get a point each. In the first half, Chris held the ball up well and started a lot of our attacking moves – in the second half, you’d just have to say that it can suck being a lone striker against a good side. Shane again plugged away at defending against multiple speedy attackers – definitely no easy task.

Campbell still leads the points table but with Gareth hot on his heels, can he afford to be injured again? Will Clayton return to the fray and reclaim top spot? Has Lester left his move too late? The excitement is killing me!

Team Man

Campbell picks it up this week. Injured (no I didn’t say soft c#$k) and he still turned up to ref. In fact he did the whole game and did a really good job of it – thanks Campbell, much appreciated.

Chris D remains in charge but he’s it’s tight….

Eagles Latina 3, Voyle Park 2

Lost 3 – 2 to a team averaging over 5 goals a game, finalists in the knock out cup, defeaters of the team leading division 1. Were we happy or even satisfied with that – NO, we were all totally gutted !

 Oh what could have been this season, if we only played 70 minute games!

 1 nil up early after Phil popped his cherry and drove the ball inside the right hand post. They came back with skill and blistering pace but it remained a tight contest even after they equalised. They had more possession and passed the ball a lot but we had more opportunities and looked the most likely – including missing an easy goal by the length of a  toe nail (though the player concerned suggested another of his body parts could have made up the extra 1 inch – or words to that effect).

 And then it happened, a thundering goal from our imported semi-professional Bristol man. Poetry in motion – he just latched onto it and buried it as the Gods applauded in disbelief!

 2 – 1 up and things were looking good. As time went on however, their speed, fitness, ball control and 71 substitutes started to take a toll. We defended well and their chances were limited. Unfortunately a slip at the back and they pulled one back. 2 all and the clock was ticking down. Tackles became a bit laboured and they earned several free kicks (bribed the ref?). Down to 5 or so minutes and again we paid the price for playing too long! A pacey run down the wing, a quick jink and the guy buried a rocket from well out wide. A cracker of a goal that highlighted their speed and skill – but Dammit we had’em !!!!!!!!!

Golden Boot

Campbell’s fine goal puts him in out-right lead on 4 goals for the season.

He’s having a good run at the moment and the safe money must be on him taking out this honour.

With so few goals spread across a number of players and still 3 games to go -  it is still there for the taking though.

No pressure but it would be nice if someone made double figures………

Points Awarded 24 August

Man of the Match

As announced after the game, Runty was clearly the man of the match. He had his standard good game in goal, now coming out with confidence as well as collecting crosses despite his limited ‘altitude’. It was of course topped off by the fact that he saved a penalty in extra time to lead us into the penalty shoot-out, followed by stopping two penalties during the shoot-out. He was simply - de man.

Gareth takes the 2 points for a good display at right back, centre back, centre midfield, wide midfield and striker (he’s a flexible little bugger). Norm grabs the other point for a sterling defensive effort.

Campbell still has a good 4 point lead from Clayton whose run came to a screaming halt with injury. Gareth has raced up to 3^rd spot 5 points back from Cam.

Team Man

It doesn’t make any difference to the standings but everyone on the day deserves this. It wasn’t just about the final result. You talked to each other, you cheered each other on, you celebrated as one when Cam scored, you carried on even after the set-back when they scored, you wanted extra time so you could win and then the penalty shoot-out and result showed that you were a team playing for each other.

Two special awards

Congratulations to Geoff - due his fine efforts on the day I’ve created 2 special awards just for him.

• The Vinnie Jones Tackle award (yeah explain to me how Lester has never won this)
• The Peter Crouch Silly Dance Goal Celebration award