Coastal Spirit FC Juniors: 13th grade
30 August 2008 | 24 August 2008 | 23 August 2008 | 19 July 2008 | 28 June 2008 | 7 June 2008 | 31 May 2008 | 24 May 2008 | 17 May 2008 | 10 May 2008 | 5-19 April 2008
13th Grade Division 3 reports
30 August 2008
Coastal Spirit 3 Avon 2`
Needing to win to have a chance to win the league it was important
to get off to a good start.
Avon started strong and we were making hard work of the game. If Avon had a good striker, then they would have had 4 goals in the first half. They were in our half for most of the first twenty mins, but the first time we went down their end, we scored with good ball work from Skakeal and Ali and a very good finish from Jordan to go 1-nil up.
Ali is a player that has a lot of skill and will become a very good player, but one thing that lets him down is that he doesn't pass at the right time, which at times the rest of the team don't like. He has got better as the season went on, but in saying that, on Saturday he made a good break down the left wing beating 3 players, kept the ball from going out for a goal kick, got a better angle and kicked the ball with great power to score. As a coach, I always say pass and get it back, but there are times when, with something like what Ali did, you are glad that he didn't. Great goal and at half time we were 2-nil.
In the second half Avon got 1 back early to make it 2-1. One thing Avon couldn't do was finish as they had a lot of chances to do so. Josh again had a good game and was unlucky not to score 2 or 3 goals but he did get our last goal with a great strike to give as a 3-2 win. In the last ten minutes Avon attacked our goal but as I said before they could not finish. But also my backs played out of the skins and did their job 110% to keep them out. Sam was my pick of my backs as each week she puts in 120% and is a very, very good footballer, and being the only female in the team she fits in very well.
Also on Saturday, the coach for the Girl's 13th grade was down there and spotted her and wants her to trial, and I think she would be an asset to any rep team. Again, well done team.
24 August 2008
Coastal Spirit 3 St Andrew's 0`
With having to play on Sunday to play catch up games, St
Andrew's defaulted so we didn't have to do to much for the 3
points which are very important even through we have only
lost one game all season, we are still there to win our
section and competition with only one week left.
23 August 2008
Coastal Spirit 5 Medbury Red 1`
With this being our first game in 6 weeks it was like
starting the season off again, so I was hoping that the team
would settle in as they had trained very well without any
games. In the first round we beat Medbury 4-2, so we were
sure we could beat them again. It was Medbury that scored
first where their striker just ran through our back line to
put them 1-nil up. I was not happy with the ease which they
scored, with my 4 defenders very rarely letting that happen.
For most of the first twenty minutes we did all the attacking but with no goals - they were not passing very well or looking to where they were passing. Then Ali made a break and went past 4 players but was taken down in the box to be awarded the penalty. Shakeal came up to take it but their keeper saved it - but as I keep saying to the team you follow the ball until the keeper has it - and he got a second chance and scored to make it 1-all. Well done, Shakeal.
We were unlucky not to get a second penalty 5 mins later, where again a player was taken out in the box where we could have scored, but the ref said it was outside - but clearly it was inside - but you take those calls and move on. Our ball movement was poor, but we seemed to be controlling the game and, just before half time, Josh put one to the back of the net; to us a 2-1 half time lead.
My back 4 Sam, Kieran, Joachim and Liam R all had strong games after the slow start by not letting them in to score for the rest of the game. As the second half went on, we had more and more control of the game, but we needed another goal and that came when we got a corner and Shakeal who always puts the ball right in the centre of the box again did that and Josh headed the ball in. Three mins later, we were again down their end for a corner and, again, Shakeal was on the spot - but this time the ball came off a Medbury player, and we were up 4-1. Our last goal came from Ali, with his skill and ball control weaved through 4 or 5 players, hit the ball with such power and control that their keeper (who to me was their best player with very good saves through the game) had no answer to Ali's strike. Again, very happy with the whole team with a slow start they finished the game strong.
19 July 2008
Coastal Spirit 7 CBHS 4
With the weather not good and raining, I was hoping that the
team wouldn't play the same as they did three weeks ago. The
first thing some of the boys said to me was that they are big -
and they were. But as I said to them, big doesn't mean
that they are good. Lucky for us the rain stopped, but within 10
mins we were down 2-nil - even through we were not playing too
bad - but I thought here we go again. After 15 mins, the team
got out of second gear and started to move the ball around
- just after that Josh got one back. Having a team
that is playing like a team it's always hard to know when it's
right to make subs, so on the next out we were going to sub
and Josh made one of his great breaks from a just-as-great
ball from Jesse. Josh hit the ball with power and it hit
the crossbar but, as good players do, he followed up and put it
in the back of the net and it was 2-all. Making my subs,
Laim C for Ashley and William for Jorden, they put more
pressure on Boys' High and with good work from William on the
right wing he was rewarded with our 3rd goal after only
being on for 2 mins. The pleasing thing for me as a coach is
that what we do at training (and you see this on Saturdays)
tells me that I have a team that wants to listen and
learn.
Each week I can't say enough about Josh but this boy is a coach's dream as a striker - with his speed, ball control and skill. This season his goal average is 3 per game. Josh kept that by getting 2 more goals by the break. It's always good when you ref the game that you come across players that stand out and their keeper was one when he dived for the ball and I called a goal kick, but he came to me and said his fingers just touched the ball, so we got the corner - very pleasing for me. After the break, the team kept up the pressure and every player did their bit to make it a team win. They got 2 goals back but, before they got their second, Laim R our left got the ball on half way and, with what I would say was a perfect strike, he hit the ball high; their keeper was too far out and the ball went over his head to the back of the net - a good reward for Laim's good work in defence. With 3 mins to go Ali's great work in the mid paid off with the last goals - he played his best game to date with his ball skill and control and would have got player of the day but that went to Joachim who also played his best game in defence. Three of the team - Josh, Shakeal and Ashley - all did the week camp and what they learnt could be seen in their play this week. I thank Gareth and all that were there and hope that next year there are more from my team. Once again, great team win - well done team.
28 June 2008
Coastal Spirit 2 Nomads 3
After 2 draws from our last two games and being away, I was
still happy to hear that we had not lost. The weather was
bad and the field was like a mud bath, with most of the
players from both teams cold; with pink hands and legs from
the cold. We controlled the first half very well and our
first goal came with good ball control and a great finish
from our striker Josh. All though the half we looked the
better and Josh, with a powerful shot, put us up 2-nil and was
unlucky not to make it 3, but hit the cross bar. Everyone
played very well and I was happy at half time. Laim, Sam Conner
and Keiran all played very strong in defence. For the first
15 mins we played as we did in the first half, but then Nomads
got two goals in 5 mins and that gave them some hope. Next
they got a corner and our keeper dived for the ball but, in
slow motion, the ball went over the line. Josh made a break
with 10 mins to go but was taken out by a defender in the box -
but wasn't given a penalty and he wasn't happy with the call,
as we said he didn't go for the ball. This didn't stop him
from trying and with about 1 min to go he was off again on a
break and struck the ball well, but the wind pushed it to the
left. It is always good for a team like Nomads to win as
this was our first loss of the season and we would not take
that away from them, but as a coach knowing that the team
put in 100% right until the end, I have no reason to be
unhappy with the loss and, as I said to them after the game,
there is a new game next week.
7 June 2008
Coastal Spirit 12 Rangiora B 0
With finishing round one at the top with no losses and round
two underway with the top ten teams to play, I told the team
to carry on the same way. Having beaten Rangiora B 8-2 in the
first round, I wasn't going to take them for granted, as we
have improved - so would they. But within 2mins we were up 1-nil with a great goal from Laim C. But that was it for the
next 20mins as we were down at their goal but shots were
right at their goalkeeper or shots with no power. But in
saying that, their keeper (for a little guy) was very good and
must have saved about 7 or 8 goals in the game. With a strong
nor west we didn't use it to our advantage. They were
unlucky not to score with a shot hitting the post, but that
was all they did in the first half so Reuben had not much to
do. By halftime, Ali Josh, and Ashley all scored to make it 4-nil. Playing into the strong wind made the team work and
play better than I thought they would, and having Sam out
for a week with a bad cut, the backs all stepped up and played
very, very well and that shows on the scorecard.
The floodgates opened with Laim C and Josh both getting hat tricks and, as I keep saying in my reports, it's very pleasing to have to very good strikes. The midfield didn't let me down as well, with Shakeal and Ail getting 2 each. To finish things Ashley and Jesse both picked up 1 each. As the weather changed it wasn't very nice for anyone to be out there, but the boys played on and in the last 5mins scored 4 goals. Every member of this team puts in 110% every week and that shows in our results - but I know that they all can do better. Well done again team.
31 May 2008
Coastal Spirit 9 Amberley 4
With being told that our last 6 games where all grading games
and that Mainland are now going to make more changes this
season, I told the team to just go out there and play our
game and they did. Amberley were very big for thirteen,
but size does not matter in football. We started very good
and within 2 mins, Liam C had the first goal for the day. It
wasn't until we made your first subs, that Josh and Shakeal
scored very good goals as they always do. My other sub
Jordon, having his first game back from breaking his arm 3
weeks ago, with his first touch scored our fourth goal. The
thing that pleases me is all our goals this season have been
well-worked goals. Reuben, our goalkeeper, made one of many
excellent saves - but the ball went to one of their players.
Reuben didn't have time to get to the ball and they scored.
Each week, Reuben puts his body on the line for the team - and
I do mean his body to save goals - a very important member
of our team. When you have so much control of the game, you
can see the ones that don't self train. With Josh's speed he
scored our 5th goal and got another to get his hat
trick. Amberley got 2 more and Ashley picked up a goal, which
was reward for hard work on the wing. Shakeal and Jordon picked
up another goal each and the score was 9-3. With 3 mins to
go, they made a break and it was one-on-one with our keeper
and, as I have said, he put his body on the line but it
was a 50/50 call and Amberley got the penalty from which they
scored. I was very pleased with the way the team played and the
way they are scoring their goals. They are playing above
their age group and can only get better. Well done team.
24 May 2008
Coastal Spirit 4 Medbury Red 2
With Thursday training wet and cold, it was good to see that
all but one turn up for training, which is always pleasing for
a coach. This tells me that the team has the right attitude
for the game. With Saturday turning out like Thursday, I knew
that the weather and conditions could have a lot to do with
the game. With 5min gone I knew we had a game on our hands,
with Medbury very strong in the midfield, but as the game
went on that was about it up front and in the backs we were
all over them. We started to use our wings to take the game
away from them, which worked with Jesse using his speed and
very good ball control to cross the ball to a waiting Laim C
to put us up 1-nil. By half time we were up 3-nil with
goals from William and Shakeal, which were scored in the
same way as our first. In the second half they continued to
play very good football and had control of the game with
Ali making it 4-nil, with a very nice run through the middle
to score. He also had two very good strikes of the ball at
goal but both were to the left. With about ten to go,
Medbury got one back with a good run from their centre
forward. They got No. 2 from a corner in which our two
defenders were looking at each other and not the ball, which
was good for Medbury but not us. Overall, I was very happy
with the way the team played and their attitude on and off the
field, but know that they have to play for the whole
70min. Having played 5 games so far and having won 5 and
scored 49 goal with 9 against, the team is on the right track.
17 May 2008
Coastal Spirit 4 Papanui Redwood 3
This game was a game I was looking forward to all week as
both teams
had not lost a game. At training, one of the boys told me
that their striker was the South Island 100mtr champ and I
told them that all we have to do is play our game and not
worry about them. Sadly, for as in the first 2min of the game,
the 100mtr champ showed how fast he was and left all my
backs in his dust. I then knew that we had to pay extra
attention to him. As the first half went on, I could see the
way their game plan was, the goal keeper would kick the ball
high and hard and their striker would use this speed which
worked for them until we cottoned on to that. By half-time we
were up 2-1, with goals from William and Josh. In the second
half they changed their goalkeeper, which was to our
advantage. We seem to have more depth on our wings, with
Jesse having an outstanding game and Reuben also having a
great day in the goal. As the game went on they scored, then
we did with ten to go it was 3-all - Kieran getting a goal.
With 4mins to go, I think the hard training and fitness work
we do at training paid off and Pap Redwood started to look
tired and Ali score the goal to keep us unbeaten. I am very
happy with the way the team's attitude is - on and off the field -
and, also there, mum and dad on the sideline. Well done team.
10 May 2008
Coastal Spirit TEN Parklands 0
With 2 weeks off from school holidays and bad weather, it is
always hard to get back into things on game day. Coming up
against Parklands, who had only lost 1 game, I thought it would
give us a hard game - but as the score ended up it wasn't. The
team moved the ball around the field with great control and
pinpoint passing to their teammates, which made me very
happy as hard training paid off. Up 4-0 at half time, the team
did not let off in the second half and scored 6 more
goals. Once again, my two strikers did their job: Josh getting
a hat trick again and Liam C getting 2. Kieran, my other
striker, played at right back for 25min for his strong kicking
then moved into the midfield - where he picked up two
goals. Shakeal got 2 goals and William got 1. The team is
playing very good football and I hope it continues. Next
week we have our first test of the season where we play Pap
Redwood at home who have won all their games, so I hope we
can continue our winning ways .
19 April 2008
Western B 2 Coastal Spirit TEN
This game started off slow in the first half, where we were
up 3-0 and looked to control the game - but Western came back
strong with one player that had enough speed to make your
backs look slow and they got 2 goals back. After a talk at
half time - to play your game not their game - the team started
to put some good combinations together and we got control of
the game again. One player, Jesse Pihama, had his best game
yet: very strong on our left wing, his speed and skill is a
pleasure to watch. He picked up a hat trick and he also takes
our corners. He scored one of his goals from a corner without the keeper putting a hand to the ball. Josh also picked
up 4 goals. A great team effort by the whole team.
12 April 2008
Coastal Spirit FOURTEEN Kaiapoi Red 0
As the score says, Kaiapoi were not at the same level as us,
but these games are good to see the team work as a team. Our
goalkeeper had a quiet day, which meant the rest of the team
were doing their jobs. Once again, Josh had a great day - curving
though Kaiapoi with speed and skill. He picked up 7
goals even when we was subbed twice. Shakeal got a hat trick and
the rest was shared among Ali, Ashley, Jordon, Liam C. Very
pleased and good team effort by all.
5 April 2008
Coastal Spirit EIGHT Rangiora 2
As the new season started, I was looking forward to the club's
new start and a new team. The team we have are a good mix of
Rangers and New Brighton players. As a new team, I didn't
know what to expect - but with two hard pre-season games with
our Div 1 team, and the 14th grade Fed girls team, I knew that I
had a good team. Our first game showed me that the team could
play good football. The goals were spread around the team
with our striker Josh Burgess and our mids Shakeal Buxton
and Ali Mohanmmadi each getting 2 goals. With the team
running all over Rangiora and their first year on the senior
field, we let in two late goals. Very happy with game overall but still a lot of work to do.