Masters Gold Division 2 Teamtalks
26 April 2008 | 19 April 2008 | 12 April 2008 | 5 April 2008
26 April 2008: Coastal Spirit 2 FM Bays 4
[Result originally CS 2 FB 4, but Mainland ruled the result to be CS 3 FB 0 as Bays fielded an ineligible player.]
Things looked ominous before kick off when it was suggested that the apparent age of the opposition might indicate they had come to the wrong game. Led by Willy, who had progressed from Brighton's Premier team last year to Div 2 masters this season, Bays were a well-organised challenge.
However, we got off to great start when Tim deftly chipped an incisive through ball over the out-charging keeper to give us the early advantage. Their equaliser followed a clumsy goal mouth scramble and, after extensive pressure, they then doubled their tally to lead 2-1 at the break.
The second half saw us draw level, with Rob's distant free kick floating over everyone including their startled goalie. Their third was a well taken penalty, following a dubious hand ball in the box. This heralded a frantic search for another equaliser, which mainly consisted of long high balls over, or at, their tall defensive line. We gradually ran out of steam and near the end they broke away to put the result beyond doubt.
Whilst we were well beaten and still did not play to our full potential, there were positive glimpses of what we can achieve and we will need to build on that for next week. Player of the day went to Rob, for yet another impressive display.
Goalscorers: Tim Smith, Rob Duffy
Player of the Day: Rob Duffy
19 April 2008: Papanui Redwood 0 Coastal Spirit 1
Well it's hard to be poetic about our last two performances but at least we took the three points against Papanui-Redwood. Things did not start well when Rowsey assured everyone he knew where he was going and promptly set off to Rangiora with our top goal scorer.
Meanwhile we kicked off at Redwood Park with a very bracing southerly wind at our backs. Creating numerous chances, it was obvious from early on that this was a game for the taking. However, again we lacked a little cohesion and almost squandered the wind propelled advantage - until Tim, returning from his jaunt to Rangiora, headed home in the last act of the first half.
The second half was, regardless of the wind, again dominated by Coastal Spirit and we missed several chances to finish off the Papanui-Redwood resistance. New goalkeeper, John, was rarely troubled and appeared very reliable when the opposition did have the occasional flirtation with our goal. Actually, their best chance to equalise was in the final minute of the game, when somehow they failed to punish us for some indecisive defending.
So, one nil it ended and we are very happy to remain unbeaten - despite not yet playing to our enormously talented potential. Player of the day was deservedly awarded to Robert Harwood who was playing his last game for the season before heading off to warmer climes. Robert has played well in all our games so far and at the impressive footballing age of 59 is an inspiration to us all. We wish him all the best and hope to see him back soon.
Goal scorer: Tim Smith
Player of the Day: Robert Harwood
12 April 2008: Coastal Spirit 1 Burnside Legends 1
This week back-door Burnside brought their best veterans to Bexley's bumpy bouncy battlefield for war
And as the autumnal sun began to drop we were so relieved to see the crafty cockney even up the score
Because Burnside led 1-0 for much of this rather unattractive fixture
As we struggled to find the winning blend from our extensive player mixture
So a draw it was, a fair result, although a Burnside win was surely there to snatch
If not for our fine defence, especially Al McCall, our player of the match
And even though we could have had more cohesion and were lacking that penetrating thrust
We march on, proud to be unbeaten, towards the victories we lust
Masters Gold 1 Burnside 1
Goalscorer: Tim Smith
Player of the Day: Alan McCall
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
5 April 2008: Coastal Spirit 2 Parklands 0
The debut of Coastal Spirit Masters Gold was a long and sweaty tussle
And that was before kick-off pulling new team kit over aging muscle.
By the time we took the field we looked as shiny and sharp as a brand new pin
And to lose our opening game would have been a terrible sin
Our opposition, Parklands, were a challenging foe though less handsome in faded blue
And at the end of ninety minutes they had no goals and we had two!
The first was a Rousey header off a pin point Rob Duffy free kick
Parklands then smashed a shot against the crossbar to leave them feeling quite sick
The second half was more of the same with our defence locking Parklands raiders out
Then Tim, our crafty cockney, scored and the result was no longer in doubt
So then on to after match celebrations at Linfield where festivities were really quite loud
Until Malcolm's harmonious Geordie accent slowly hypnotised the inquisitive crowd
I think he said that he was happy and that Rob was the player of the day
Though Rob was unable to collect his free beer so I kindly stored it away
So congratulations to the First Team Men and Women who both got off to impressive winning starts
And also to the Masters Gold, Malcolm's impressive, victorious old farts.
Goal scorers: Paul Rouse, Tim Smith.
Player of The Day: Rob Duffy