Inspired by Neil's account of his daily life, I've decided to blog my football season. I usually like to post somewhere about my exploits whenever I have a match, so may aswell make an appropriate place to do so (sorry if you think this should be in the Playground like Neil's Mark, move if required).
14/04/2007 - First Game Of The SeasonOpposition: University Mt Wellington
Venue: Home
Kickoff: 2.45pm
Weather: Absolutely Atrocious
Arrived at the ground at about 1.45, an hour before kickoff, expecting to be first there as usual, and was suprised to see everyone was already there.
Very windy and cold, and the skies looked like they were about to open. Put on my nice new Adidas Predator boots that were picked up for $2, yes $2 (less than a pound) in a mass sports warehouse clearance sale in Adelaide (couple more pairs in stock at home
). Then the dilemma was, do I use my nice new goalkeeper gloves and risk ruining them in awful conditions, or do I stick with the training pair. Decided on debuting the new ones. Brilliant pair of gloves, Adidas Fingersaves picked up for 17 pounds in Selfridges in London last year. Absolute bargain given I'll usually pay at least double that for a good match pair. Wish I'd bought another in stock. It was a suprise to stumble upon them in Selfridges, and a suprise to find some in my size. My Dad and I had exactly the 17 pounds in cash between us and not a penny more, so we bought them then ran out the store to find a bank
Anyway, began a bit of a warmup and within about 30 seconds I could tell they were possibly the best pair of gloves I'd ever used. Have had Fingersaves before, but these are by far the best. Had a good and lengthy warmup, with plenty of time for a break before kickoff. Shortly before kickoff the skies opened and we were then faced with playing the first half against the most awesome wind and rain. I told my mate (our captain) that playing with the advantage of those conditions was worth at least 2 goals, and if we get to half time level, we'll win.
Suprisingly we started the better of the 2 sides, created the first few openings and even found ourselves 1-0 up after about 15 minutes. Shortly after that they made their first advantage of the conditions, playing a long ball over the top for the right winger to run onto, cross, and finshed off by the striker after a hashed clearance by our captain. No chance for me to stop the good finish. Game was pretty even, and then they struck again. Another long ball over the defence for their striker to run onto, he's past our defender so I rush out to narrow the angle, but he knocks it past me and another runs in and taps in for 1-2. Defender argued that he had him, although he was never going to catch him. Still, we could have communicated better with each other. They start to get on top now, another poor clearance in the box from our captain leads to me making a fine full stretch save in the air, and they create another few opportunites from through balls which I slide out to claim (and the striker left in a foot to give me a little kick each time I might add), and another couple of shots wide while we were struggling to get the ball up the other end. Then on the stroke of half time, our scorer finds his way through again and equalises for 2-2 at half time.
As I expected, a 2 goal wind, and to be level at half time was a pretty good effort.
Typically, the rain stops and wind dies down for the beginning of the 2nd half, so conditions make it more of a level playing field. This was where our superiority starting showing however. Without the advantage of the wind, their long ball tactic wasn't paying off, and we started carving out chances, and put 1 away early on for 3-2. They started to get forward a bit and had a few efforts, although I was never that greatly threatened. Few basic saves and through balls collected etc. Then the rain and wind came back, to our advantage as it now became easier to keep them in their half. I then made a rare assist of my own, much like in last week's pre season match I posted about somewhere. Punt over the top of their defence for someone to run onto and finish off for a 2 goal cushion. Think it was a length of the field 3 touch goal - my kick, 1 touch to control and 1 more to finish it. Another length of the field effort came not long after. We cleared a corner, and found ourselves in a 2 on 1 defender situation which was finished off by our worst player who rather enjoyed scoring
There was still time for one more, brilliant 30 yard shot in off the post to round off a great start to the season.
Result: 6-2 Win
Personal Performance: Pleasing. No chance with the first goal, perhaps communication could have been better on the 2nd, although it was more the defence's fault for pushing too far up playing into that wind. 1 excellent save. Safe hands when called upon.
Hope that was a decent read and a couple of people are actually interested. If noone's bothered then let me know I don't need to continue with it.
