It was another wet Saturday that greeted both teams to Rex Morpeth. However the persistent rain didnt deter the teams from going ahead with the game. The Sharks were keen to avenge their 4-0 loss earlier in the season - and started the game with strong attacks down the sides. Evangeline stuck to her task of marking the dangerous Yellow Fin strikers throughout, and Kate once again proved solid at the back. She must however be careful with her tackles - as there were a few pretty robust challenges. In the middle and upfront, Olley and Monty worked really hard to close down the opposition - and Tim, Kellar, and Michael all did good work in the mid-field. As in the last game - it was the Yellow Fins who scored first - from some broken play on the edge of the penalty box. At 1-0 down the Sharks started to push forward and did a good job of keeping their opponents within their half. Olley nearly got an equaliser with a break through the middle - but the shot went wide!

At half time - a very wet team re-grouped - and resolved to continue with their tactics to keep the Yellow Fins within their half. Evangeline continued her constant hounding - and ended up with a nasty blow to the nose. Bravely though she continued on after receiving some sideline assistance. Second half was pretty equal - although the Yellow Fins were always a danger on attack. Victor in goal was kept very busy - and pulled off a series of excellent saves to keep us in the game. Towards the end of the game, the Sharks nearly had the opportunity to equalise when MOnty,Tim and Olley all broke free of the last line of defence - unfortunately after a very unselfish layoff from Monty - Olley was unable to hit the ball home (with only the keeper to beat). Last few minutes - was a mixed bag of near misses at one end - and excellent defence at other end to deny the Yellow Fins their second goal.

When final whistle blew - Sharks had gone down 1-0 - but had left everything on the park. They'd played their guts out - and should be proud of their efforts against a team that has a number of Reps players.

Final Score 1-0 (Yellow Fins)

It was an early start for a home game against the arch enemy - the Shamrocks. Both teams were up for the match - and when the game got underway we all realised it was going to be a close one. The game however was broken open early on in the first half when Olley burst through the middle to shoot and score. Midfield combat then ensued between the teams with Evangeline, Tim, Monty and Michael all impressing with their tenacity. Kate at the back was clearing our defences very effectively with her long high kicks - and was ably supported by Liam, Ashna and Kellar. Midway through the second half - Olley grabbed his second goal -and we went into halftime 2-0 up.

The second half proved a different game - and we were under relentless pressure from the Shamrocks for a lot of the half. Had the attack from the Shamrocks been on target - we could well have been a few goals down half-way through the second half. Max (from the Shamrocks) did grab a goal back - and then Tim went close on the other side (only to be denied by the posts) Liam impressed in the second half - and came close to scoring himself. There was a nervous last few minutes - but eventually full time blew - and the Sharks had won another close game 2-1.

Thankfully - we all had a late start to the game (11am) as it was a
pretty cold morning. But by the time the team was on the field though,
everyone was warmed up and raring to go.
The first part of the first half was really tight - with both teams
guilty of chasing the ball. However in the second part of the half - the
game opened up - as the passing of the ball got better. It was a long,
perfectly weighted pass from Olley at the back, that put Tim Blakeway
into space at the halfway line, which he then dribbled up field and beat
the keeper for the first goal of the match. Later in the half Olley had
a shot cannon off the upright, and the ever present Monty, Tim, Evangeline
and Alistair also had chances from in front of goal. Midfield was well marshalled
by Evangeline, Monty and Michael, and the ever reliable Kate, Ashna and
Liam kept the defence rock solid at the back.

In the second half Michael and Victor swapped position in goal, and the
game got underway. Again it was a tight start to the half - but it was
defensive lapse at the back, and a bit of a mix-up that lead to the
Tigers drawing equal with a well taken goal. 10 minutes to go - and the
game was all tied up at 1-1.

The team pressurised the goal kicks of the Tigers and started to
dominate possession in search of the winner. We had numerous corners
(all well taken by Olley) - but could not convert the pressure into a
goal (despite the excellent attacking efforts of Tim, Monty, Alistair
and Victor) Evangeline moved into more of a midfield defensive role -
and with Kate - tidied up any break-outs from the Tigers very efficiently.

It was with 5 minutes left to go that we awarded a free kick about 10
meters out. Olley took the kick, and cooly curled and dipped the ball
just under the cross-bar for an excellent goal. The last minutes we dug
in and defended really well - with everyone showing commitment to
keeping the score line in tact.

Final whistle blew and Ohope Sharks had won a good game - played in good
spirit 2-1.

It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny morning to play soccer at Bluett park.
And the team looked well up to the task of starting the new term with a
positive performance when the game got underway.

The first half was distinguished by some very good passing and running
into space, with some good passes coming from Olley's service down the
right touchline as well as Evangeline, Tim and Monty in midfield. The
team's passing paid off - when Monty grabbed an excellent first goal off a
great pass - and then Tim with his persistence, and excellent dribbling skills scored
the second. So it was a confident team that saw us go into half-time with
a 2-0 lead.

In the second half - Victor, Tim, Monty and Evangeline all revelled in
their midfield space - and Kate, Ashna and Liam proved steadfast on
defence - with Michael again solid in goal. Alistair came close on two occasions
to scoring his first goal of the season. The third goal came through a break
down the centre of the field by Olley - and the forth from a handball resulting penalty
(also scored by Olley)

When the full-time whistle blew - it was the end of a thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable game,
in which the Ohope Sharks are playing more and more as a team,running into space created by
taking the ball wide and then passing the ball into that space for team mates to run onto.

Final score - 4-0 Ohope

Player of the day - Monty

The first day of the holidays - and the first rematch game of the season
against the team from Kawerau. It was a chance to make amends for the
1-0 defeat in our first game of the season to Kawerau. Kawerau coach and
soccer association referee (Willy) - blew the game in both halfs - and
it was again a fair and even contest from the start. We were guilty at
times of losing possession through incorrect throw-ins and sometimes
errant passing. However - the dedication in the midfield and defence
could not be faulted. Michael played in goal - and made a few crucial
saves to ensure the scoreline was 0-0 at half-time. The kick-off for the
second half proved to be the turning point for the game - as it lead to
Olley winning the ball off the Kawerau kick-off- bursting through the
centre - and scoring from the right side. With our tails up the team
pushed forward - and there were a number of close chances for players
like Tim, Monty, Evangeline and Alistair. Little Liam and energetic
Kellar were always hounding the ball - and Justin (ably supported by
Kate and Ashna) proved a rock on defence. A late goal mouth scramble -
where Kawerau almost scored - nearly undid all the teams efforts - but
the defence held and the Sharks squeaked home.

Final score - 1-0 Ohope Sharks.

Player of the day - Justin

This was an afternoon 'catch-up' game played on a Thursday afternoon
against one of the better teams in the league. Perhaps the kids were
tired - or it was just the late afternoon winter cold - or not having practiced
or played for 2 weeks - but in the first half we were guilty of 'ball-watching'
and gave their attack way too much space. This resulted in The Sharks conceding
4 quick goals in a frantic 10-15 minute period. A stern talking to at half time
from the coach - and some gritty defence - meant that the second half remained scoreless
- with little Liam proving the stand-out player with his commitment to
running with the ball and never giving up. Victor must also be commended
for some excellent saves in goal throughout the game - as without them the score
could have been much worse!

Final score - 0-4 Whakatane Yellow Fins.

It was an early start - and a cold morning when both teams stepped out
onto the muddy pitch. Both teams were pretty evenly matched - and
it was a really tight game. Both teams attacked and defended really well
- and it was a single goal that decided the game - scored by Olley. The
second half was marked by dogged defence by Ashna, Justin and Kate -
with able support from the midfield generals of Tim and Monty,
with Monty missing one goal and Timothy missing twice. Up-front
Kellar, Alistair, Evangeline left everything on the park. When the final
whistle blew - it was 1-0 and Ohope had scraped a close win.

Final score - 1-0 Ohope Sharks.

Player of the day - Kate

It was a particularly wet and miserable day that greeted the team when
they played away at Thornton. And the muddy rather lopsided/ sloping
field also proved to be a challenge.
The first half was pretty even with Ohope playing "uphill" - but it was
Thornton who scored the first goal against the run of play. Ohope
equalised late in the half through Olley - and at half-time it was all
even.  The break was welcome - not only for a respite from the sticky
underfoot conditions - but also so as to regroup - and plan more
effective tactics in second half.

Unfortunately the downhill run of the ball didn't help matters too much
and the team were guilty of being caught on the break by a very quick
and robust Thornton midfield - which lead to 2 quick goals for them -
both against the run of play (despite the best defensive efforts of the
ever reliable Kate) At 3-1 down - the team dug deep and dragged a goal
back through Olley - but it was all a little too late. There were also a
number of late opportunities in front of goal - but were unable to be
converted.

This was a game that showed that even though you could have the majority
of possession - it doesn't always lead to victory. And it also showed how
important it is to convert your chances when you have them.

Final score - 3-2 to Thornton Thunder.

Player of the day - Timothy

PERHAPS it was missing out on a game and practice following the
flooding; perhaps it was a late-night party on the Friday ... whatever the cause, the Sharks were a bit out of sorts for their visit
to St Joseph's School.

The game started scrappily -- it was end-to-end but the defences were
well on top and clear shooting chances few and far between.

On a big pitch, the players were getting rather isolated and the Sharks
lacked their usual cohesion.

Predictably, it took a mistake to break the deadlock. Hesitation in the
Sharks rearguard gave a Rockets striker the chance to pounce and the
home side had the lead.

The Ohope side tried to build some attacking momentum, and Tim Blakeway
showed his skills, wriggling past a couple of tackles only to have his
shot blocked. There was much huffing and puffing from the visitors but a
solid St Jo's defence proved equal to all that the Sharks could throw at
them.

Turning round a goal down, the Sharks continued to enjoy most of the
possession and apply the pressure. They had a series of corners -- with
Tim shooting over the bar from one of them -- but could not find the key
to unlock the Rockets defence.

Ollie Gibson showed his versatility -- one minute leading an attack and
then chasing back to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Saints. Goalkeeper
Victor also earned his stripes, saving bravely amid a melee of feet on a
goalmouth scramble.

A surging run by Monty Taylor saw the Sharks back on the offensive, and
the pressure eventually told when a shot from Ollie just crept over the
line before the Saints keeper grabbed it. It was only millimetres but
the referee had no hesitation -- goal and a 1-1 final score.

Ollie was a deserving man of the match in a game that the Sharks had
enough of the ball to have won had their control, passing and teamwork
been at its usual standard.

The Sharks followed up their thrilling 4-2 win over the Ohope Shamrocks
with another victory, beating an admittedly younger and smaller
Rangitaiki team 3-1.

It was a solid team performance and showed that the efforts of coach Wil
Blakeway are paying off.

he Sharks got off to a flying start when the ever-dangerous Evangeline
Kay scored early on and not long afterwards Kate Campbell -- an
impressive presence in defence throughout -- went on a powerful run from
the back that almost produced a second goal.

he second goal came courtesy of Michael Campbell and when a corner
produced number three -- Evangeline on target again -- the Blue Stars
looked to be facing a hiding.

However, they regrouped well and remained defiant opponents for the
remainder of the match, enjoying their moment of glory when their
striker made a great solo run and found the back of the net. The Sharks still had the bulk of the possession and further goals looked likely but, though Evangeline and Ollie Gibson, went close, the score
stayed at 3-1.

Player of the day? A very deserved reward for the wholehearted effort of
Monty Taylor.

THIS pulsating six-goal derby thriller enjoyed a suitably dramatic
ending as two goals by hotshot Ollie Gibson in the dying minutes settled
the result in the Sharks' favour.

The two teams had been going at it hammer-and-tongs for 75 minutes and,
stalemated at 2-2, a draw seemed a satisfactory outcome all round ...
until Ollie's last-gasp intervention turned the game on its head and had
the Sharks doing cartwheels. At times, the battle for playground bragging rights seemed just as intense off the field as it was on it, with a capacity crowd on the
touchline savouring every moment.

Truth be told, the excitement didn't confine itself to the touchline,
with both coaches - and the odd parent - straying on to the pitch, such
was the emotion. A benign referee resisted showing them the red card. The Sharks had the better of the early encounters but, failing to make the most of the chances which fell their way, they found themselves a goal down when pocket dynamo Max Waugh swept through from halfway and coolly netted for the Shamrocks.

Just as the tide looked to be turning against them, the Sharks had a
stroke of luck when a back-pass by a Shamrocks defender was over-hit and
ended up in the net.Turning round at 1-1, the tempo never slackened in an enthralling second half.

When young Max hit the target again, you would not have betted against a
Shamrocks victory but the Sharks dug deep and, heeding coach Wil
Blakeway's call to make better use of the space around them, they fought
back.A persistent Michael Campbell found a way through and levelled the
scores and, at that stage, Sharks fans would probably have settled for a
draw. However, Ollie had other ideas and the stage was set for his
wonderful finale.

A great morale-booster for the Sharks but bad luck for the Shamrocks who
contributed so much to a fine soccer match.