Island Bay United AFC

Well, we could have drawn Eastborne in the third round of the Illustrious Chatham Cup (Western Suburbs bet the unlucky chaps 10-0) but no, we somehow drew Miramar Rangers.

As I've said before Miramar have won it all at some stage or other, and currently sit on top (now joint after a horror 3-3 draw with bottom placed Palmerston North Marist - but they had just lost their coach) of the Central League after having won it last season, and in 2006.

They've also won the Chatham Cup three times, just in case you weren't satisfied we went into the game as underdogs.

It would be an understatement to say it was windy, but when isn't it?! Oh yeah, Sunday through Friday........

The game started with both teams managing to get a couple of shots off and settling down to play some football. Miramar were in control, but we were happy to push them wide, and to our credit we managed to force them to do so. Unfortunately we hadn't counted on the wind having laid a large bet against us at the T.A.B, and a ridicuously hopeful cross from Miramar suddenly turned into a Beckham wonder goal, as the wind picked the ball out of the sky, turned it 90 degrees and then threw it into the net, much to the horror of Dave Plowright in goal who had absolutely no chance.

Less than 30 seconds later, when no one from Island Bay was looking, Miramar scored again to make the lead 2-0. This carried into halftime, with both sides having settled down again.

We came out after the half looking to make amends for the two goal deficit, and pushed Miramar into defending on many occasions. Naturally, having some players from Team Wellington to "fall back on" meant that Miramar were not going to stand aside, and unfortunately, as we were searching for a goal as a way back into the match, they managed to sneak in a couple more. I put my hand up here and apologise now for not bringing the scoreline closer, sending a golden opportunity over both the cross-bar and the actual-bar.

Dominic Rowe ended up scoring twice, as did Michael (of course I claimed the cross) Eager, so perhaps in hindsight we should have just double teamed those two players and let Peter Halstead shoot til the cows came home.

Anyway, Island Bay exited the cup after going down 4-0 to Miramar. A thoroughly deserved win from a top central league unit. Congratulations and good luck with the rest of your campaigns!

This week we seek to return to winning form, as we play our third home game in a row, against Miramar for the second time in a row (their 2nd team this time people!) and try to consolidate our position at the top of the table.

Elsewhere, Stop Out play Naenae (for the second week running), Kapiti host Tawa, Upper Hutt welcome Karori, and Lower Hutt spend Sunday at Wests.

Go Sharks!

Labels: chatham cup, home, lost, miramar

On Saturday Island Bay boarded the bus, ready for the long haul trip to Marist's Kilbirne Park, for our first Chatham Cup tie of 2009. How ironic we should draw Marist first up. A derby for sure, and it was a beautiful still day. Just perfect for kickball! :)

We knew we were in for a tough match against Marist, who would be looking to put on a good show and prove that their Premier relegation last season was more bad luck than poor performances. They started better than we did, moving the ball around quickly amongst lots of showing players meant that Island Bay's defense was forced to shift smartly if we were to plug all the holes.

An unfortunate dipping cross from a Marist player outwitted the outstretched arms of our Keeper, and we were down a goal before we could settle into our style of play.

We did settle down though and began to play some football in the dying moments of the first half, but Marist's players were on a high and determined not to let their lead slip. Both teams made chances, but neither could complete that final killer ball in the first 45. 1-0 at halftime.

We had hoped that Marist would tire in the second half, and continued to probe their defense looking for a breakthrough, which finally came in the last 15 minutes of the game, when a desperate lunge from Marist to clear the ball out of the 6 yard box was ruled handball and up stepped Richard Steel, to calmly (as always) SMASH it into the corner.

1-1 at Full time meant playing extra time, which, given a late start time, almost meant night soccer, without lights.

It seemed we were set for penalties, as neither team could turn any of their build up play into goals, when Mr Paul Muollo decided it was up to him as Captain/President to put us through to the next round, first using his fabled left foot to poke the ball goal ward from 4 yards, then using his slightly less fabled right foot to smash the ball into the roof of the net, making the score 2-1, and setting up an easy cup tie against Miramar Rangers (Winners of this, that, and everything else at some stage) on 16/17 May.

We'll be at home on Shark Park, and you can guarantee Island Bay will do their best to come out on top despite their underdog status.

Go Sharks!

Labels: away, chatham cup, marist, won

Island Bay's Chatham Cup hopes were going to be tough to realise after drawing Western Suburbs away [2006 Chatham Cup Winners, 2007 Chatham Cup Runners Up and 2007 Central League Winners] and were only made tougher by the torrential rain and water logged pitch.

Despite the draw, the weather and the pitch, it was business as usual in the changing rooms, and the squad were brimming with confidence. We started off a lot better than our Upper Hutt encounter, but the pitch conditions turned the game into a comedy with players unable to kick the ball out of the water, overrunning it, sliding in from 10 metres etc. Wests scored in the first ten minutes, tucking the ball inside the near post with Shaan only able deflect the shot off his legs, after a few comical clearance attempts by the Island Bay defense. They scored again when a through ball, which was easily covered, stopped dead on the penalty spot, the Wests player stopped with it but we didn't and he had a wide open goal to tuck the ball into.

Despite this, Island Bay maintained good possession, and played quality football in extremely difficult conditions. We couldn't create enough goal bound chances though, Hicham's torpedo like ground hugging free kick coming close and one cleared off the line after the water stopped it dead [Did I see a hand in there?].

Even though Wests were leading, the atmosphere in the changing rooms at half time was buoyant, everyone believed that we could score twice in 45 minutes and force extra time. This was not to be though, with Wests scoring twice [in much the same comical fashion as the first two] within five minutes of the restart to put the match beyond doubt.

To our credit we played amazing football for the full 90 minutes, and had we not been playing on a waterlogged ground which favoured the amazing clinical finishing of the Central league sides strike force, the result would surely have been closer.

This week we play Western Suburbs again, although their second team [and on Wakefield Park] who maybe be showing signs of coming to life, but hopefully we'll be looking for revenge.

Go Sharks!

Labels: away, chatham cup, lost, premier, western suburbs

On Saturday Island Bay played our first Chatham Cup tie against an Upper Hutt team who had proven problematic to us over previous seasons. Upper Hutt had also beaten Wairarapa United the week before.

Chatham Cup matches are a bonus for us as the primary focus is to win the league this year, but with last weeks win against a very good Tawa team and an emphasis on enjoying our football in the lead up to this game, the guys turned up noticeably relaxed. Sometimes taking this attitude has leaded to lethargy on the park, but it wasn't to be the case this time, and we quickly imposed ourselves on the game. Playing forwards, we seemed to have the run of the midfield in particular, with Upper Hutt failing to pick us up as we came through.

Our first goals came quickly with Petero playing Nate through with a great ball for a simple tap in finish. The second goal came shortly after with Petero this time playing a one two to put himself in front of goal and finishing in solid fashion. Upper Hutt looked a bit shell shocked, but held their heads and tried to get back into the game. Just before half time they were rewarded, after learning from our approach towards goal, playing a nice one two of their own to put a player through one on one with Shaan and getting themselves back into the game with the score 2-1 at half time.

Island Bay looked by far the better team, but it's points on the board that matter and so it was with concern when half way through the second half a hard tackle resulted in a penalty being awarded, and our Captain being sent off for asking one question too many of the referee. However, Shaan's pre shot dance on the goal line completely put the penalty taker off and the poor shot was well saved.

And so we had survived the immediate danger but were now down to 10 men with about 25 minutes to play. We re-shaped our lineup to compensate, with Steve becoming the lone striker (obviously he hadn't done enough running in the midfield), Lai and Zac dropping into midfield and looking to get forward in support when possible, and Petero playing in central defence.

With about 10 to go Nate played a ball into the Upper Hutt penalty area to Steve, who turned it back to find Lai on the penalty spot. Lai engaged in a quick bit of line dancing with the ball and Upper Hutt defenders then tucked it away in the corner to put the game beyond doubt.

The last few minutes then become a mere formality, Island Bay winning
3-1 and progressing to the next round, against Western Suburbs at 2:00 PM on Queens Birthday Monday on Endeavour Park.

This week we host Waterside Karori at Wakefield Park, as we fight over top spot on the league table.

Go Sharks!

Labels: away, chatham cup, premier, upper hutt, won