Cold, cold, cold

What an amazing game on Saturday. OK, we lost 4-0 but we learnt a lot about ourselves as a team and as individuals.

The conditions were atrocious and the first half I was making subs simply to get more layers on underneath the white jerseys. We made a couple of mistakes and went 4 goals down in that time - we have to work on getting one, and only one, person out wide to the ball and leaving the other defender in the box. But the grit and determination of all the players to give their all even though they were freezing was a great sight for a coach. Halftime there were some calls to call the game off and it was touch and go but when I asked who wanted to play on, pretty much everyone said they wanted to keep going.

Special words of thanks to Vaughn, who spent a freezing 25 minutes in goal making some vital saves, then although the cold got to him at half-time he played very well in the second half and deserved a goal. Also to Justin and Jayden who sent 10 minutes each in goal - it must have been so cold for them. Connor seemed to get better and better as the conditions got worse and played a blinding second half; Hikairoa and Jan gave their all and Nick was deservedly mann of the match for an amazing display of tackling and running that should have produced a goal. Patrick beat players for fun and when his left foot gets stronger will be banging them in. Jaime played really well for a snowgirl and in the second half played for Bill's team as he was short - she was head and shoulders the best player on that park and scored a cracker to help them win.

We are still losing but the team spirit is huge and we are improving from game to game. Next week we have a great opportunity - we play Burnside B at North Hagley Park J2 and we'll see if this improvement brings a result.

Lorcan

0-5 to Halswell C

Buggar. Just when I come back we get tonked undeservedly. Maybe I'm the Jonah :(

What a first half - we did everything but score. Even though we were down I thought it was a matter of time but then the wheels fell off in the second half. I must say that the goal just after half-time was my fault as the second half starting caught me out and the team that started that half weren't fully switched on.

One thing we really need to work on is our concentration. Too many times the midfield were watching the game and not being determined to get back and help out our back two. We really need to remember that even when the ball is not near us, the game is still on and we need to be ready or to move toward the ball.

Training this Tuesay and advance warning that the following Tuesday is photo night so at 5.40pm after training we need to have our gear with us - clean hopefully.

Coastal Spirit White 2 Burnside C 1

Well deserved! We have worked really hard in training over the past couple of weeks on our commitment, tackling and shooting – the kids have been fantastic and they got their reward last Saturday. It was such a pity I wasn’t there but Bruce did a great job and lost his voice after the game. Thanks Bruce! I was really happy for Jan and Vaughan for scoring the goals but from what I can gather it was all hands to the pump for the last bit and they all dug deep and kept going for the win. Let’s hope it is the first of many.


This week we are back at Cuthbert’s Green against Cashmere Wanderers Gold at 9.30am. I will be missing again – I’ll be watching Ireland beat the All Blacks – but Bruce will look after them again. If they win, I might retire :)