Presidents A 'black' Teamtalks
31 May 2008 | 10 May 2008 | 26 April 2008 | 12 April 2008 | 5 April 2008
31 May 2008: CSFC Black 0 Universities 1
Today we were hoping that most of this side were either hung-over or on holiday. Unfortunately neither was going to help us today and it was certainly going to be a tough ask to hold this talented side out. University scored after only 5 minutes into the match, when they managed to outpace our fullbacks, leaving the keeper with a one-on-one situation. This was the start of a busy day for the back four, as the University side just came at us from both flanks and through the middle as well. Bruce was kept very busy and, I must admit, it was certainly a good day to show a little bit of improved form, as the score could have been anything. The second half was very much a mirror image of the first, with wave after wave of attacks, and many near misses and fine saves keeping the score down to a respectable level. Coastal did get close once: a fine move down the left flank with some good one touch passing from the mid field to Ian on the left wing. His shot beat the keeper but not the posts.
In the end, we held on to a one-goal score line - a good result for the Coastal side, as we played quite well - but the University side, today, was a very good one. Hopefully, when we meet in the second round, it might be their holidays or even the Undie 500 race.
Today all the players played well, but there were a couple of extra good performances from John (very solid at the back), Sno (new Japanese player, showed many fine touches) and Peta (our Dutch import, was everywhere around the park).
That is the end of round one and the Black side is in its most accustomed position of lower mid-table, but this side often has a better second round than the first. Let's hope so.
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
10 May 2008: CSFC White 0 CSFC Black 2
This was always going to be a match full of interest with the new boys on the block and the more established Pressies A side. Played at Cuthberts Green, on a field that was still in quite good condition with all the recent weather. What was interesting today was that the Black side that contained players from Japan, England, Holland, India Scotland, Zimbabwe and the odd Kiwi as well.
The game itself was very even, with attack and counter-attack both ways which kept the game moving along at a good pace. Both sides had plenty of chances to score but some good defence and odd lucky save kept the match goalless until mid way into the first half when after a break down the left hand flank and a fine fingertip save by the White's Keeper saw the ball fall to the feet of Paul and with no angle slotted a fine goal to give the Black's side a lead that on balance they may have deserved.
The rest of the first half it was very much end to end stuff with the White side being denied time after time by a very solid back 4 and some solid goal keeping. This pressure finally told on the White side who did concede a second goal late in the first half. A nice strike from some distance from captain Ian gave the Blacks a 2-nil lead at half time.
The second half the wind was at the backs of the White team, which saw them dominate territory. But they lacked a little bit of composure in front of goal with many chances not really putting any pressure on Bruce in goal. In fact, it was the Black team that created the best chances [er, didn't a White striker shoot against a Black post in the 46th minute - ed]. However, the strikers didn't have any better luck in finishing than the White side.
So the match finished 2-nil to the Black side - which does give us the bragging rights until we meet again in round two. Good luck to The CS White side for the rest of round one.
Our player of the day today was Penny who was like a rock at the back of the defence line.
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
26 April 2008: Kaiapoi 1 Coastal Spirit 1
Played on the best looking ground that we play on during the season at Kendall Park, this game was also going to a tough ask for the Black side and so it proved.
The guys got off to a great start, dominated their more fancied opponents and were rewarded when Penny put away a very nicely taken effort.
This certainly woke up Kaiapoi and it was all on for young and old, with Kaiapoi completely dominating territory and procession after that. The game was all locked up by half time. The backs got out-flanked and the equalising goal was nicely put away to end the half all tied up. It didn't look good for the Black side when Kaiapoi all went into the changing rooms and then shut the door. The way the second half started they certainly must have got a talking to at the break.
The second half was just a wave of shots on goal which certainly kept the backs in a consist state of alert. The wood work had a good rattling, but with a lot of luck from the referee and the odd good finger-tip save, the CS Black side managed to hold Kaiapoi out to earn a very unlikely draw.
It was a very nice point to earn and the guys certainly felt that they had been in a battle. To Kaiapoi, thanks for the game and good luck for the rest of the first round.
Player of the day today was certainly Greg Topp, who had his work out for him in the second half and never wilted under the pressure.
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
12 April 2008: Woolston Tech Blue 3 Coastal Spirit 2
Today the troops played last year's winner Woolston Blue. With many changes of personnel from last week we weren't sure how we were going to go up against the defending champions.
As the game developed, it became very clear that we were not going to have too much of the possession or territory so we lived only mainly scraps. Saying that, we did use what ball we did have very well and certainly gave them every reason to be concerned.
After eventually conceding what I considered a bit of a dodgy goal (no nets were up in this game), we rallied back to have equalised by halftime, with a well taken goal by John who was allowed to play up front this week.
The second half have was very much a repeat of the first with Woolston camped in our half of the field but it was that man John again who put Coastal in front very much against the run of play but we were going to take it.
The remaining 20 minutes it was just wave after wave and finally Woolston managed to get the equaliser thanks to an own goal but I think they may have scored any way. Then with 5 to go, Woolston finally got the winner with Coastal backs out on their legs. The result didn't reflect the effort shown but the Coastal team with an ounce more luck and a better effort from the keeper (who wasn't totally on song) should have come away with some points.
However, 2 games in we have scored 5 goals and have 3 points which took us the whole of the first round last season.
So a very much improved start to the season and we look forward to our next assignment which is Burnside at home.
Player of the day today with 2 goals and only one injury was John. Big thanks to all those players who came out of retirement to help out today. Without your efforts it might have been a totally different story.
Comment on team talks at the Coastal Spirit Forum
5 April 2008: Woolston Tech G 0 Coastal Spirit 3
by Bruce Hunter
Saturday's match was against Woolston Technical Green and was played in trying conditions at Ensors Park. Someone had decided to light a large back yard fire just before kickoff making it more like Beijing than Christchurch.
The game itself was a tight affair, with Woolston having the slight advantage in territory and possession. The game broke open midway into the first half when a right side break and a good cross saw Paul score the first goal for Coastal Spirit.
Woolston tried to hit back, but solid defence with a bit of luck saw all their efforts come to nothing. A second goal did arrive shortly afterwards with Ian netting from a good long range header that gave the keeper no chance.
With a good 2-0 lead at halftime, the team felt pretty happy with their efforts in the first half - but knew that Woolston were not going to give up.
The second half saw Woolston throw everything at Coastal, but again solid defence and the odd lucky save kept Woolston at bay.
Late in the second half, Coastal were able to move 3-0 up after Cliff got on the end of a crazy back pass that left the keeper high and dry. So the boys finish with a 3-0 win which is the best start to a season for some time.
The team are very aware that there are no easy games in this league so look forward to many battles in the near future.
All the team had good games but this reporter's player of the day was the skipper Ian who was certainly the busiest player on the park and was rewarded with a great goal.
Next week we are back to Ensors Park again the play the other and much stronger Woolston side who drew with the other Coastal team yesterday. Well done to them getting points off the Woolston Blue team is no easy task.