Team line up

Round 14 vs Kawerau Crusaders

Bugger.

not really much to write about this game as I am still trying to get to grips with the loss.

The boys found it hard to get motivated for this one despite my, (and our team sponsors) efforts. 

I don't know whether it was staying up late to watch rugby, nerves or just the end of a long season but for some reason no one in our team wanted to play football today.

I couldn't say that we were dominated by the Crusaders but they definitely had the better of the chances during the game and deserved to come away winners of not only the game today but probably the whole league.  WELL DONE CRUSADERS.

We weren't helped by giving them two soft goals but that's football.

Thanks for the ride stealers I have enjoyed it all.  One game to go so lets finish it on a high and have fun.

Player of the day Caleb

Round 13 vs Opotiki

Another great day and another game of two halves.  Callum in goal in the first half and opotiki found it very hard to get anywhere near our goal but we did our very best to keep them in it.  We reduced ourselves to playing their game and it showed when despite our greater possession we went into half time 0-0.

I gave the boys a real talking to at half time and told them that if they wanted to win a trophy then they had 20minutes to prove it to themselves.  We needed to go back to our game of playing it wide and crossing it in for the strikers to finish off.

Boy it seemed to work.  Everyone in the team gave an extra 25% and despite one close call we dominated the second half with Elliot and callum getting on the scoreboard.  2-0 win and we were on top of the league.

Player of the day Josh

Round 12 vs Whakatane Force

thought that I had better write a little something for the last few games so here goes. 

Man it was a great day in ohope and the boys were revved up for the next three games.  This game produced all that it promised.  It was end to end stuff with Whakatane dominating the first half and despite this we went into the half time break 0-0.

We then proceeded to dominate the second half and despite one lack of concentration by our keeper we were unlucky not to come away with the win.  The game ended 1-1 and was probably a fair reflection of the ding dong battles that we have had with the force this year.

Well done boys we are still in it.

Player of the day Matt

Round 11 Vs Saints

Man what a day, the sun was out, the pitch had been mowed, lines were sharp and after our netball training on Thursday  I was looking forward to trying a few things against the Saints.  I knew that we had the goods to beat them, and with the return of our full squad (maybe only the second or third time this year) I wanted to try a few things.

Goalie in the first half was Matt because I knew that I could count on him if things weren't running our way.  Luckily he was not really needed and was in fact lucky not to fall asleep.  I pushed Chris into midfield to give him a chance to stretch the legs and boy what a  a master stroke.  Less than 2 minutes into the match he scored!!!!  We were dominating in every facet of the game and the goals kept rolling in.  Geordie 3rd minute, Chris 7th minute and Tyler & Caleb chipping in before half time it was 5 -0 at the break. 

The focus at training and in the first half was to find space and not ball watch, to  mark up when we didn't have the ball and recover to defend when we lost the ball.  The first half was a display in precision and showed all of the above attributes. 

However we faded a little in the second half and started to get a bit selfish with the ball, passing stopped and miracle shots reappeared.  This hurt some feelings and the final scorecard.  Elliot and Taylah got on the score sheet and Nathan the "goalie" found a hole between his legs that he didn't realise he had.

Final score 7-1 well done boys but stay focused it all gets harder from here on in.

Round 5 Catch up & Round 10 Vs Kawerau Krickets

It was the end of the holidays and time to make up our postponed game from round 5.  All players were present and accounted for except Geordie who was still overseas.  

The sun was out and a better day would have been hard to find.  The kickets were an unknown quantity and had had some close results without success so I was a little weary of what would happen.  However the break had done the boys good.  We played ranging football and despite jet lag with Tyler and a little bit of memory loss the boys pulled through well to win easily 4-0, despite the Owenator playing for the opposition.

The following Saturday saw us having to travel to Kawerau for a rematch with the Krickets.  It was a very similar game however Callum has now finished league and joined us in Geordie s absence.  He played goalie for the whole game and was resolute, every kawerau attack was snuffed out before a real threat was realised.  However we were lucky to come away with the win and if it was not for Taylahs two cracking strikes from the right hand side the game would have ended in a draw. 

The boys were given a stern talking to after the match because after the previous week we fell back into some old habits, miracle balls, greediness and not playing as a team.  Look out at training boys.

Round 9 vs Kawerau Crusaders 16 July

Another crucial match, with mums and dads on the sidelines appearing more fired up before kickoff than the boys in stripes themselves. We were missing three of our star players: Tyler, Lachie and Callum. No wonder our coach was pacing the sideline like a caged tiger.

However, the Stealers powered into action the second play began. And they were impressive. All Simon’s coaching efforts showed their worth within the first 30 seconds. The boys looked great! They knew where they needed to be, they played a thinking game, and, for the most part, they played with fantastic control and huge heart.

It was great to see that our boys have listened and learned. They played wide, down the sides. Their passing was strong, smart and accurate. They were calm and focused.

Taking control instantly, Maxwell started as he meant to go on, with a blistering push from centre-field down the right, smack into Kawerau’s danger zone. Only 30 seconds or so into the game, Matt sent the ball to Elliot, and then Elliot – a consistent workhorse at the attacking end – set up an early chance for the Stealers. Geordie was right where he needed to be to seize the opportunity and nailed one into the net. 1-0. Sensation. It looked like a well-rehearsed, beautifully executed set piece.

The goal seemed to spur the Stealers into even greater intensity. Geordie was certainly on fire – within seconds he was at the other end of the field, putting a stop to the Crusaders’ bid for vengeance.

Ohope piled the pressure on, with every team member playing their part. Matt, Caleb and Elliot worked the pitch intelligently, showing real awareness and understanding of their roles and gameplay. Nathan battled relentlessly in the midfield, and Josh was a terrier – quick, sharp and skilled not just at tackling, but at finding a path through the red onslaught.

The Crusaders, however, were more than worthy opponents, leaving none of us in doubt as to why they’re head of the league table.

The Crusaders let rip with what looked to be a sure-fire equaliser, but Geordie was having none of it. In an act of near heroism – no doubt earning goalie Taylah’s undying gratitude – Geordie threw himself in front of the shot, fending it off with his inside knee. Ouch. There followed some desperate moments in front of goal as the Crusaders scrambled to follow through. Ohope prevailed.

A few minutes later, though, a lapse in focus by our defenders let one in, and Ohope was back to square one as the first half ended.

Taylah traded places with Matt as goalie and it wasn’t long into the second half before Ohope started taking their shots. A great try by Elliot was saved by the red goalie, and a few minutes later Taylah’s powerful effort went only just wide.

Minutes later, a heart-stopping moment for Ohope when a penalty was brilliantly taken by Kawerau, the ball heading like a bullet into the very top of the net. Incredibly, Matt just got his fingers to it and tipped it over the top.

Soon after, the Crusaders’ worst nightmare when Ref called a handball right in front of the goal. Taylah took the penalty, and made no mistakes. 2-1.

It was heart-in-mouth stuff for those on the sidelines, and brilliant spectator football: the bitter wind forgotten as Kawerau came back at Ohope again and again; Ohope defenders holding off the blitz. But the reds were determined to find a chink in Ohope’s armour, and everyone knew Kawerau would make any mistakes cost dearly. Finally, another slump in defence was all it took for the Crusaders to find a way through. 2-2.

A disappointing result for Ohope, but the game was really about positives. The Stealers’ play was marked by many displays of courage and skill. More importantly, it showed the team’s true potential: having proven they can keep their structure under pressure, and play well as a team, the only element missing is the ability for every last player to focus for the entire game. Coach Simon told the boys they deserved to win, but: “We concentrated for 80 per cent of the match, and that 20 per cent cost us.”

Player of the day was Chris, for an astonishing, speed-of-light manoeuvre and great defending.

Round 8 Vs Opotiki

After a couple of sleepless nights and long days I was starting to doubt my ability as a coach, s training was never going to be easy.  However all the books and coaching courses tell you to let the kids decide so that what I did for a second. 

The boys were dressed down at training.  I told them that if they wanted me to babysit them on the Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning then that's what I will do, but if the wanted to play to win and the trophy at the end of the season then they had to pull their socks up right now.

I don't know whether it was the talk or what we did at training but it worked.  We fronted up and played the best game we have so far.  We spread the ball wide, passed well, looked up, took shots, crossed the ball and played with a real urgency.

Taylah had an outstanding game and deserved the Player of the day.  After being in goal for the first half he dominated the right hand side of the field which in turn lead to the goal which was shot from a distance.

Also deserving a mention were, Chris, Josh and Nathan who ran everything down in defence and Matt who had his best game in the outfield and finished it off with a solid second half in goal.

Well done and thank you boys.

Round 7 Vs Whakatane Force

It is always a grudge match between these two teams and it had only been escalated when we beat them in the 2nd round.  This followed by Tylers dad taunting the force' parents meant it was game on, so were we ready.

The boys assured me that they had the goods to beat them again and seemed to be fired up but this was far from the case at all.  I don't know what the problem was but our boys just didn't come to play.  They were lacklustre, ran around like 6th graders, didn't mark up and were guilty of ball watching.  This led to the Force dominating the 1st 3/4 of the game and we went into the half very lucky to be down by only 1.  However it was a great goal by one Harry (you know who he is) who expertly guided the ball past Matt with his first touch in the box from a corner.

Early in the second half the little hair that I have was getting thinner and thinner as we continued to "muck" around while the force ran rampant.  2-0 down from another unmarked force player.  That was it it was time to start really shouting and something snapped.

Maybe it was the secret but a good scream or two from coach seemed to finally get the boys going.  They showed in the final 10 minutes that they did have the goods but the just hadn't opened the bag.  We totally dominated the end of the game and thanks to Caleb got on the score sheet with a goalmouth scramble.

In the end the better team on the day won and we will be addressing the obvious motivational problem at training.  We were lucky to come away with the 2-1 loss.  Watch out at training boys.

Round 6 Vs Saints

Probably one of the nicest Saturdays that we have had so far this season and saints turned on a great pitch which allowed for good running football.

After a week of and a very broken training schedule it was good to be playing a team that we had beaten so comfortably in the 1st round.

We passed the ball well and had a number of chances to score but we seemed to have an inability to dribble the ball at all let alone at full pace and this resulted in a number of squandered chances.

At the other end of the filed our resolute defence held well and with Caleb in goal in the first half and Talyah in the second it was always going to be hard for saint to break their duck against us.

Finally in the second half after a great move down the left Tyler was finally able to net us the one goal we needed to secure the win.  Geordie was named player of the day after having two days off school but ran like a man possessed for the whole game.  Perhaps there was something in this, two days off school for everyone next week.

Round 5 Flooded out watch this space

Round 4 vs Kawerau Crusaders

A good warm-up work out with the coach and then the game begins. Before 5 minutes is up Ronan had scored a nice goal for the Crusaders, sliding one past Matt to his left. Stunned the Steelers had to start to fight their way back into the game early. It wasn't so much end to end action in the first half but controlled solid attack by the Steelers who were just not able to get an opening against a tight Crusaders defence. The Crusaders had done their homework and very quickly piled many players back in defence. Few quality shots came from our strikers. To add to the Steelers misery the Crusaders made quick attacking breaks often led by their star Ronan which required a quick response from the Steelers defensive line of Nathan, Josh, Matt, Chris, and later Caleb. Half time 1-0 to the Crusaders. Matt had an excellent first half in goal.

The second half was mostly the Steelers dominating, attacking the Crusaders goal with much less Crusaders break-outs. Our skill on the ball and passing was really good but often balls were crossed too late or were mis-guided and the Crusaders defense efficiently pounced and stopped the attack or attacked downfield themselves. No matter how hard Lachie, Taylor, Geordie, a sick Tyler, Maxwell, and Elliot tried they just couldn't get on in the back of the net. Elliot did have a crack at short range from a hand ball but unfortunately it was stopped and it was a really cracking shot and definitely going in. Several  clear open goal chances went begging for the Steelers. Taylor made many lovely sideline runs but couldn't get his 'right foot' into the game. But the Crusaders had just sorted out their defensive pattern and smothered Taylor and Lachie and they played very well as a team and eventually won 1-0.

The Steelers were disappointed but played very good footy and it will be a good lesson for them in coping with a narrow defeat in what is shaping as being a tight tough 9th Grade Premiers.

Round 3 vs Opotiki

With the coach on crutches and no training because of the weather we knew that todays game was going to be tough.  The problem was that the boys knew that the Force had beaten Opotiki 7-0 and thought that the game was in the bag before the whistle had been blown.

We knew that Opotiki had a couple of good players and their coach was happy with their early season form despite a heavy loss, and they certainly put us to the sword.  We made the game easy for them by losing our structure and everyone wanting to score a glory goal instead of making sure that the scoresheet was added to.

The game was dictated by breakaways from both teams and had it not have been for our goalies Callum (welcome to the team) and Matt the score could have been a whole different story.  However despite a dodgy field at one end we did look more likely and although we struck the post a number of times in both halves we squandered our true scoring opportunities and went into half time 0-0.

I gave them a stir up at half time and it seemed to help a little bit and we were lucky enough with two rebound/deflections from powerful shots by Lachie, finding their way over the line just.

We were very lucky to come away with the win here  and given that the Crusaders are our next game we will have to be more focussed and structured to challenge the other top of the table team.

Player of the day was Maxwell for never giving up and playing with the intensity required.

Round 2 vs Whakatane Force

A note from the coach first of all.  Man you guys made me so proud.  You obviously have been listening to what I have been saying and what you are getting told from the sideline.  It broke my heart when I found out that this game was going to be while I was in Sydney and that I couldn't be there to coach you, although you well and truly made our day when we heard the news from abroad.

  I really big thanks goes out to Selena for organising and coaching you for this game, to Paul & Simon for setting up the pitch, Kim for refereeing and as you will see further down, to Moana & Simon for their great write ups about the game.  You should all give your parents a pat on the back for helping to create a great team environment which makes it easier for me to develop you as a team and as footballers. 

Things will be a litle different this week also and I cannot train you on thursday and don't know if  I will make the game on Saturday depending on  how sore me knee is after the operation.  Anyway enough rambling lets get into the game reports. 

The Ohope Steelers welcomed the Whakatane Force to a sunny Bluett Park for their second game. To have a game of end to end action and intensity this early in the season was too much! This is the sort of game teams have when its finals day! 

In the first half, players on both sides were nervous and the game struggled to get into a rthymn. However, the Steelers did attack the Force goal more often and spent more time in thier half of the field for most of the first half. Lachie just put one wide, after a nice passing phase between four players which would have put us 1 nil up early. That doesn't mean to say it wasn't end to end action. Matt saved one certainty from a shot by Force midfielder Harry, and Force players Corben and Brad also put him to the test but he stopped all shots.  The Force came out very determined in the second half, while the Steelers seemed more tentative. Our defensive players, Josh, Chris, and Caleb really had to work hard, and they were ably supported by the rest of the team also. Tyler was in goal in the second half and like Matt, stopped several good shots on goal.  When the Steelers did get a break out they weren't able to get a ball clear to thier strikers and slot one in.

To be fair it would have been a good result for both teams to have a draw. But the Steelers had other ideas. Late in the second half the ball was being buffetted around several players inside the Force half when a popped high ball came to Taylor who beat one man with a nice dribble and then fired a shot past the Force keeper from inside the box to score. Jubliation from the Steelers parents and coaches!

A really determined effort form the Steelers players who should have much more self belief now they have beaten one of the very top teams. They all played well, stuck with it, and in the end scored a brave win.

Moana Wrote

The coach and the parents knew they had it in them. The question was: did the Steelers themselves think they could beat the long-time league champions?

A clear answer emerged only seconds into the game, the Ohope lads wearing their stripes with strength and confidence, and taking charge of the field from the outset.

For the first time (possibly ever), the Force looked nervous and unsettled, having failed to score against the Steelers during the pre-season Rotorua tournament.

Nevertheless, before the match most of the Ohope boys had traumatic tales of being ‘wasted’ by the Force in previous encounters. Steelers midfield star Taylah had no such qualms. His steady, solid assurance was an anchor for the Steelers ... but this is no one-horse outfit. Ohope looked well-organised, fast and self-possessed throughout the field.

Every player showed their mettle, Tyler and Lachie following Taylah’s early example and attacking hard. Josh was dogged on defence, stopping an early dangerous break by the Force, and Caleb appeared to generate his own force-field, creating an impenetrable one-man wall that defied every Force challenge anywhere near him. In the goal, Matt was fearless, diving on every strike and taking at least three bullets for the team.

The half-time score of 0-0 was a fair reflection of the situation. Although Ohope looked the stronger of the two teams, a lack of support up front for the strikers left the Steelers with nothing to show for their efforts.

Going into the second half, with the Force well known for coming out fired up after half-time, the pressure on all players seemed to double. The Force looked more settled and determined, and soon began chipping away at the Steelers’ defences, taking their trademark long and high shots. Luckily for Ohope, at least several of those high attempts misfired. Those that were on target were sent packing by rock-solid second-half goalie, Tyler.

Nathan, Maxwell and Chris kept the pressure on when it counted, and Elliot broke away with a spectacular attacking run that had Ohope’s supporters bouncing. Geordie – probably the fastest player on the pitch – looked unbeatable in his stride, and Lachie’s deft touch at the goal end must have grown Force supporters a few more grey hairs.

However, 30 seconds from the end whistle, there was still nowt on the scoreboard – until Taylah revealed a talent for theatrical timing and lobbed a whopper high into the net. Goal! 1-0 to the Steelers! The crowd went wild – and the rest is history.

Player of the day was goalie Matt for unflinching service in the firing line.

Many thanks to Selena and Paul for coaching and support in Simon’s absence, and to ref Kim for his no-nonsense approach to crowd control.

Round 1 vs Saints Incredibles 14 May

The Ohope Steelers welcomed the Saints Incredibles to a lush green Bluett Park pitch on a warm sunny morning for the 9th Grade season opener. Players and parents alike were excited and nervous about the first game.

The first half saw a nervous start from the Steelers as they tried to settle into their game pattern. It looked as though they were content to 'watch the game' and their opposition, testing to see just how strong they were. The Incredibles did start well and pressured the Steelers half, but soon they were playing most of the game in their own half. Tyler, Elliot, and Nathan making several breaks, peppering there goal and taking the Steelers into the halftime break at 3 nil up, Tyler scoring twice and Elliot once. There were also many other shots on goal by most of the team and it was only the Saints players and the crossbar that kept the score to 3. Defensively Chris, Josh and Caleb had massive games stopping several Saints attacks, with Chris very persistent in hunting down the ball and attacker until he was in charge.

The Steelers completely dominated the second half and again peppered the goal mouth with many shots. It was a 'turkey shoot', but many shots went wide or were stopped by the Saints tenacious goalie Finn.  Taylah had moved from the first half role of goalie and was very effective up front with Lachie and Geordie. Lachie drilled three more goals for the Steelers, one a particularly excellent shot off his right foot at an acute angle from the edge of the box. Maxwell had a very quiet second half in goal and managed to lie down and watch the game!

Overall a good start from the Steelers with plenty of passing and unselfish interplay. They looked well coached and good as a team and we hope they have a good season from here on in.

Player of the day was Lachie for Scoring a Hat-trick

EBOPJMC 2011

9th GRADE Premier division

Home teams are listed first.

Duration of games is 40 minutes (20 minutes each half).

n.b. please read EBOP rules in front of draw booklet re things such as postponement, injuries, contacting other coaches etc.

Rules: Emphasis is on enjoyment. Seven players aside (includes goalkeeper). Shinpads must be worn. Substitution as often and as many times as coach likes, referee to be informed each time.

1) Offside. The offside rule will be applied in all games.
2) Goalkicks In the event of a goalkick the opposition must retreat to their own half of the field and stay there until the goalkick has been taken. For 9^th grade the goal kick is taken from the edge of the penalty area.
3) Corner kicksThe opposition must be 5 metres away from the ball until the kick has been taken
4) Free kicks All free kicks will be direct and the opposition must be three metres away from the ball until the free kick has been taken
5) Penalty kicks will be taken from the penalty spot, if there is one, otherwise from the edge of the penalty area directly in front of the goal.

All other FIFA rules should apply, but with discretion to take account of the young age and relatively low skill level of the players. Common sense should prevail.

Ninth grade premier is 'competitive', that is, a league points table will be kept. Results must be given to club delegates so they can be forwarded to the Results Officer on Sunday evenings, or at the latest  Monday following the match.