Masters Prem Match Report

We were playing Ryde, a team with more playing shirt styles than you’ve had Sunday roasts. A few quick guys (actually more than a few), they are a handy team.

SUHC Master’s 1 started with our usual game plan – Have fun and don’t stuff up. First real pass of the game went over the sideline…

Adam “it’s all in the wrist” Hurford would have liked to probe deeply with his overheads, but conditions meant he was mainly touching around the edges. Heappey (who was getting a washing machine delivered at 8:30pm that night, who delivers that late?) didn’t want him to feel left out and decided to throw a few ‘overheads’ to the Ryde cf. All part of the plan though, Heappey immediately tackled him back and threw a series of amazing passes to our midfield.

The midfield had so much space they were pitching tents (see team photo) but Ryde occasionally kicked them out of the reservation. Dave “every day I’m shuffling” Corbin and Dave “it’s not a swimming cap it’s a beanie” Burke were carving up with control and finese. Snake “Snake” weaved his magic, and forced multiple turnovers.

Sniffer was playing striker. Huh? Sniffer found some space in the circle. What? Sniffer ran along the base line, beating two defenders, with only the keeper to beat! Wow! Who would he pass it to? The captain screaming for it as he was open? The club leading goal scorer? The Rig? Our midfielder also free? No…it was a shot. He missed. Score remains nil all.

The pressure was building, with nervous anticipation in the air similar to a year 10 formal.

Finally, a turnover in the attacking quarter, which we swiftly gave back to them, but an attempted Ryde transfer through the circle to get out of defence (dumb) had a turnover tackle, and fake shot (aka crooked shot by Ant) which was REALLY A PASS SURPRISE and Ben “average 24km per game” Hardy slammed it in from the post. 1-0.

We were dominating. They were tiring.  But then half-time came and their quick guy took off his undershirt and just played in a singlet.  They were serious.

A turnover in our left deep pocket and Ryde smashed the ball across the circle in a classic hit-and-hope. They successfully hoped, as a winger who hadn’t made a trap all day, mistrapped it into the goal, and the score was 1-1.

We had multiple chances after that. Sean “sneaky pointing and you know what I’m talking about” Ferris troubled their defence. Greg “there are more than 3 teams in NZ!” Paynter made some classy saves to keep us in the hunt. Sam “wind-em-up” and Steve “Longy, it’s an easy one to remember” Longhurst repelled their offense time and time again.

But that was that. The rain pretty much held off. Score remained 1 all.