Island Bay United AFC

Another solid fighting display on Saturday resulted in a nil-nil draw with BNU. They beat us 4-2 in the first round, so it was a good turn around, however it's these sort of games, where we perhaps lack the killer instinct, that might come back to haunt us nearer the end of the season when we are fighting to stay in the grade.

With only 6 matches left in the season we need to convert these one pointers into three, and get well out of the danger zone as the table is still very compact.

In the game against BNU we started well again, which was a little surprising after a bit of a disjointed build up. We didn't know who was playing let alone in what positions and in the end we had a slight change in formation, but were pretty well settled.

We welcomed back Milney to the midfield and Stu Dunn on the wing (after a relatively long injury layoff), while Matt Whitburn slotted back in at left back.

We controlled the first half well, keeping up the intensity we have discovered in the last few weeks and although there was a typically difficult southerly blowing across the park, we perhaps didn't play to the conditions quite well enough.

Crosses into the wind weren't working and we struggled to work the ball to the windy side where the danger balls would really come from.

And in the end, the game must've been as uneventful as the score line suggests as I'm struggling to think of any highlights.

It's not that we didn't create chances, as a number of players, including even Dave Wiggins who made a sprightly surge from the back, had good opportunities, but either desperate defence or that unlucky final touch meant we stayed scoreless.

We had a few hairy moments on defence too, with a couple of tidy crosses and play through the middle stretching us, but desperation managed to keep them scoreless also.

We definitely tired towards the end, which is probably a by product of the intensity at which we start and play most of the game at, but encouragingly we make up for that loss in energy with determination and pride.

All in all it probably wasn't a good day for the spectators though, with both the weather and football a little bit lacking!

The climb to safety all starts this week against Wainui, who humbled us 3 nil in the first round. We're at home again (12:30 kick off) where we've had a much better record than away with only one loss in 6, so let's bank that point and hopefully nab all three.

Nick

Labels: bnu, capital 1, clean sheet, draw, home

Now this was a game for the annals. I certainly have never played in the weather we experienced at Wakefield 'Shark' Park on Saturday. At times, you could kick the ball straight down the middle of the park and it would fly over the sideline and right over Wakefield 2 ON THE FULL!

Think it was up to 140km/hr gusts (that closed the airport), and COLD, with driving sleet and hail at some stages!

It made things very difficult, but it was the same for both teams so we set out to play simple, error free football.

We started alright, especially considering we were playing more into the wind, so were heavily camped in our half. Desperate defence, and some wayward shooting the only thing keeping North Wellington to nil.

We managed to string a few nice phases together with Jimmy and Stu H working tirelessly up front for us to work the ball to, and the midfield providing good support. But we never really got close to their box.

Not that we needed to as our goal was scored from afar.

It stemmed from some nice one touch football between Lee, Karl and Matty Whitburn and culminated in a pinpoint cross from Matt to Stu, who put enough pressure on the retreating NW defender to force a brilliant header own goal. 1 zip.

So now, our task was even simpler - keep a clean sheet.

Task accomplished for the rest of the first half, even if we gave NW far too much space on the ball, we showed the desperation required to keep 'em out.

The words at half time were “damned if we're going to spend 90 minutes out in this crap for anything other than 3 points”, and with the wind coming over our right shoulder that result was definitely possible.

We dominated territory, just as NW did in the first half, but just couldn't nail a finish to secure the game.

And as the game wore on, things got more nervous, until about 12 from the end a through ball slipped through and a goal was clinically finished, taking the score to 1-1 and taking away 2 points from our prospective jump up the table.

In the last 10 or so minutes, not much more was created and I dare say most people were looking forward to getting off the park and into the nice, warm Island Bay showers.

A couple of comical highlights from the match included:

*'Fill in' Plowright unleashing the 'shark attack' - complete with shark fin and screaming - as he prepared to launch his goal kick goal bound for his strikers

*'Fill in' Plowright's ground goal kicks, which turned into fly kicks with the ball not staying stationary

*Mills's double air swipe as the wind took the ball away for the first one but brought it back for another crack

*The referee stating that "I haven't recorded any cards or substitutions as I can't feel my hands"

Unfortunately the result means we don't get off the foot of the table, however in what must be one of the tightest leagues in the country, still only 7 points separates first and last after 8 games and a win next week (early at Karori no2) could mean a jump of up to 5 places!!

So bring on the Karori Dreamers, currently sitting 6th.

Labels: capital 1, draw, home, north wellington