Presidents A 'white' Teamtalks
17 May 2008 | 19 April 2008 | 12 April 2008 | 5 April 2008
17 May 2008: Burnside 3 Coastal Spirit 4
by Phil Clayton
It's a tight race for the golden boot in our team this year. Going into the match, Sanjay Chandran and Joe Kearns (absent this week) were equal with one goal each. By the end of the day, four others had joined the list.
Mark Shepherd was first to add his name to the scoresheet, early in the game. He was soon followed by Jason Botherway, who was the first to react after the Burnside keeper could only parry a strong shot. We were controlling the game at this stage - retaining possession and creating chances.
A Burnside breakaway, saw them score a goal - despite spirited claims for handling the ball and offside. Nevertheless, beating Burnside 2-1 on the field would have had a familiar, satisfactory feel to it.
But the goal conceded had seen heads go down and misplayed passes aplenty. The art of marking was forgotten, as Burnside scored either side of half-time. We were trailing 2-3.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. It was a time to take a few risks. Phil Clayton made a darting run from left-back to the (attacking) right-hand side of the penalty area. Bryan Ward had the ball out wide on the right - near the goal-line - and played a perfect pass to Phil Clayton's feet. Clayton lashed a right-foot shot across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner of the net.
The equaliser spurred us on and shortly after, Mark Curry scored what was to prove to be the winning goal. Despite Nick (our goalkeeper) being subbed off injured, we never looked like we were going to give up the lead.
It is great to see that one of our strengths from last year, that of many different players being capable of scoring has returned and has extended to include players in the back-line.
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
19 April 2008: HSOB v Coastal Spirit
by Sanjay Chandran
We knew it was going to be a tough battle this week up against the High School Old Boys "first team" who lead the Presidents A competition thus far with two wins. We had made a solid start to life in Presidents A with two draws to kick off our season, and we were looking forward to hopefully knocking the early leaders off their perch.
Things did not start well with the teams both sporting nearly identical playing kits, our shirts being black with a white stripe under each arm, whilst HSOB’s were Scottish Navy blue with white stripes under each arms. Good luck trying to call the offsides in this game Barry!!!
We did score one classy goal during the game through Joe Kearns. Joe has knocked in 94 goals in the last 5 seasons for this team and this goal would be one of the better strikes in this time. Joe took the ball 40 metres out from goal, muscled his way past one defender, turned another defender inside out before unleashing a shot from the right hand edge of the box which rocketed past the keeper and into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
Unfortunately HSOB managed to score 13
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
12 April 2008: Coastal Spirit 1 Nomads United 1
by Phil Clayton
Following a 1-1 draw against Nomads at Bexley on 12 April 2008, The Oracle said, "We're playing the top-of-the-table team next week".
"How can that be?", retorted Mark C, "aren't we usually the top team? How could we be playing against ourselves? Pre-season training ended last month".
"At the moment we are not the top team", replied The Oracle.
"But we're unbeaten this season", interjected Dave.
"Yes, despite our solid defence, we haven't turned the 2 draws into wins", said The Oracle.
"First!", piped up Sanjay - pointing out that he was first goalscorer for the team as a Coastal Spirit side. "I dedicate the goal to my groupies on the CSFC forum", he added.
"But it was my header that forced their keeper to parry it into your path", said Joe, claiming the assist, "even Mark S wouldn't have missed such a tap-in".
Glen then claimed credit for the cross and noted that in a pre-season friendly against Snow's Div 3, his long-range shot resulted in a goal. Whereas Joe's first minute attempt against Nomads today only hit the crossbar.
Ant was quick to point out that if our defence hadn't been caught in possession and conceded a goal moments before our equaliser, then we may not have had the impetus to score - adding, "it was not me who was ultimately unfortunate in the move that led to their goal".
Graeme S then gave a latest update from a Women's Premier League match, but it was of little consequence as the match didn't involve CSFC.
"What other advice do you have for us, Oracle?" asked Jason W. The Oracle responded by requesting we pass the hat around to buy a GPS for Brian.
"Good idea", said the technically-minded, Glen - "that way we can analyse the best areas to thread through balls for him to run onto".
"Actually, it's so he can find his way to the ground in good time each week", said The Oracle. Mark C didn't say anything at this stage.
It was generally agreed that following two consecutive promotions, this grade is tougher than the past couple of seasons - but we can still be competitive.
Phil C noted that this week he had a tricky player to mark in the second half and will have to improve next week against the league leaders and adjust to the faster pace.
He then asked The Oracle how we should address him.
The Oracle replied, "Currently I am a human embodiment of the spirit of the coast - imparting my wisdom in pre-match, half-time, and post-match talks - but outside of that you can call me 'Barry'."
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
5 April 2008: Coastal Spirit 0 Woolston Technical Blue 0
by Phil Clayton
After winning promotion in two consecutive seasons (and the Atlas Trophy in 3 consecutive seasons - for best performed team) while at Rangers, it was with a little trepidation we took to the field against last year's Presidents A champions Woolston Technical Blue. But we showed we can also be strong at this level with a solid 0-0 draw.
We have retained our team from last year and have welcomed back Sanjay Chandran to our squad - after a one year 'loan' to North Wellington AFC (also a former club of your teamtalk reporter for this week - hopefully the report-writing will be shared around the team [hint]).
Our team is ably managed by Barry Schwass who provides inspirational team talks and embellishes them with after-match speeches back in the clubrooms.
Both teams had chances to score in the match - with Graeme Shepherd, Brian Ward and Joe Kearns all failing to convert chances that, over the last couple of seasons, usually would have found their way into the back of the net. Meanwhile at the other end, when there was the occasional slip-up by our strong back four (Ant Williams/Barry Schwass, Steve Mapletoft, Dave Keppel, Phil Clayton), we were rescued by our goalkeeper Nick - who had a superb match.
It's been a long time since this team has been happy with a 0-0 draw (as we are this week) and we look forward to our results improving over the next few weeks.