Happy Valley, 2:30 PM....Oh wait.
Happy Valley 12:30...my bad.
It wasn't the usual pre-match buildup for the Boomers down in Happy Valley against a struggling Brooklyn side. A brusque and unkind wind deflowered the players as they awaited the late arrival of this weeks man with the kit (me), who arrived two minuted before kickoff.
To add, Chops and Cam had also planned for a 2:30 kickoff, so were both late to arrive and would feature in the second half.
Tadhg showed his diversity when he filled in at centre back with McSweeny, Raiko and Sammy Clark filling up the back four. Bascand was in goal and would be battling cruel winds all day.
Strafford, Handley were in the centre of the park with Dave Williams in the hole. Drew started again at right midfield and Gibbo was in at the left behind Darryl who was up front.
The game started with the Boomers immediately on the back foot pressed well into their own half. One of Brooklyn's key players was the classic Wellington wind which made clearing the ball nearly impossible for the defence. Several of Bascand's goal kicks would look good, get caught in the wind, float up high and then backwards. The Boomers managed to dictate play out of their own half with good controlled passing from the centre backs to their full backs. This play would usually followed by one of Handley or Strafford getting involved and linking with the more forward wing men.
The wind was always a problem with high balls but the Boomers managed to somehow turn field territory into the Brooklyn half and started to maintain pressure. Handley and Gibbo in particular were putting in terrier-like commitment, frightening the Brooklyn midfield out of challenges and off the ball. Handley was unable to test the keeper from a couple of good opportunities outside the box and Darryl had a great opportunity after he was put in by Williams but couldn't craft a one-on-one chance as the ball didn't quite hold up.
The first goal came from good play between Drew, Jesse and Dave as a one-two sent Jesse in on goal. The captain bagged his first Boomers goal in particular Strafford fashion as he slide-tackled the ball into the goal. The celebration included a Tim Cahill-esque attack on the corner flag.
The Boomers held on in the first half to take a 1-0 lead despite being bullied by the wind. The second half involved much to and fro. The wind was now at the Boomers' backs but it was still hard to manage as passes and ball control had to be exact. Brooklyn equalised when keeper Bascand fumbled a cross and the striker pounced to make it 1-1.
Cam and Halford were brought on at right and centre back respectively as Tadhg moved into the midfield and Strafford went off.
The Boomers took back the lead after good play from Cam who whipped in a good ball to Williams to head off the post. Williams pounced on the rebound and hustled it in for the lead.
It was a great moment for the man who had last started in September 2011 when he also scored against Wellington United Arms. Williams was a stand-out performer into the second half as he showed his athleticism and no one could deny his hard work.
The Boomers were unlucky when a Brooklyn free kick was misjudged by Bascand, who's mis-kick allowed the ball to dribble in. 2-2.
With about ten minutes to go, the Boomers got their golden chance. All they needed was a good shooting opportunity combined with a reasonable strike and the wind would do half the job. It was Tadhg who hit the thunderbolt from around 25 yards to put the Boomers back into the lead. The keeper had no chance as he dived to save. It was a crucial goal as it was to decide the match.
The game was a potential banana skin for the Boomers but they managed a cocktail of late arrivals, absences and crazy conditions well enough to come away with a good win.
Boomers verdict: Following Petone and Stokes' 2-2 draw, the Boomers are back into the mix in the top four. If they can get a run of results to go their way they will be in with a chance to win the league or promotion. They should put particular importance on the game against Wellington United on Wednesday. It is a great opportunity to fend off the 5th place side and create a cushion between them. If they lose or draw they will likely watch the three teams above them stretch ahead and make promotion seem more unlikely.
Man of the Match: Dave Williams. The man is back to his best and it's only his first start this season. He's been superb in the air for a guy in his second season of football and although he doesn't have the skill of Tadhg playing in the hole, he adds plenty of energy and gets involved all over the field. The goal will add to his confidence and he could be in for a sterling season if he keeps at it. Notable mentions to Alex the terrier Handley, Jesse Strafford and Gibbo Gibson for good performances.
Needs to do better: McSweeny, Halford and Cam. Make sure of game times.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Boomers keeper confident of turnaround
The unorthodox goalkeeper Jimmy Bascand hails from a different sport altogether. He spent ten years playing water polo before he turned to the sometimes-dry football fields in Wellington via the indoor arena.
Taking the gloves was always going to be a formality for the former non-travelling New Zealand water polo reserve.
"I've got the reactions - a shot stopper I think they say. But still have the technique to master," he said.
"[My] catching is getting better and positioning too but work on kicking consistency and not getting rounded is needed.
"But really I love keeping. Nothing more satisfying than stopping a goal bound shot."
Last week the Boomers lost 1-0 at home to Naenae and Bascand is adamant the loss won't be repeated.
"We don't want to and shouldn't even be contemplating two losses in a row at any stage this season," he said.
The goalkeeper said the Boomers dominated the game and were unlucky to lose.
"I thought we played to our game plan well.
"[We needed] more shots on target. Even from distance keepers at our level still make mistakes and we have the strike power with Darryl, Tadhg and Pat."
On Brooklyn this weekend, he's unsure about what the pitch will do, but said as long as they take their chances the Boomers should bag the three points.
"I think the pitch will be the deciding factor.
"Our back four are strong enough to keep out any strikers so it'll be a case of whether our attackers can finish their opportunities."
Boomers play Brooklyn Northern United at Happy Valley, a notoriously bad Wellington pitch this Saturday at 2:30pm.
Taking the gloves was always going to be a formality for the former non-travelling New Zealand water polo reserve.
"I've got the reactions - a shot stopper I think they say. But still have the technique to master," he said.
"[My] catching is getting better and positioning too but work on kicking consistency and not getting rounded is needed.
"But really I love keeping. Nothing more satisfying than stopping a goal bound shot."
"We don't want to and shouldn't even be contemplating two losses in a row at any stage this season," he said.
The goalkeeper said the Boomers dominated the game and were unlucky to lose.
"I thought we played to our game plan well.
"[We needed] more shots on target. Even from distance keepers at our level still make mistakes and we have the strike power with Darryl, Tadhg and Pat."
On Brooklyn this weekend, he's unsure about what the pitch will do, but said as long as they take their chances the Boomers should bag the three points.
"I think the pitch will be the deciding factor.
"Our back four are strong enough to keep out any strikers so it'll be a case of whether our attackers can finish their opportunities."
Boomers play Brooklyn Northern United at Happy Valley, a notoriously bad Wellington pitch this Saturday at 2:30pm.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Karori Boomers vs Naenae
The Boomers' title hopes have taken a huge blow following their 1-0 home defeat to Naenae.
It will be recorded as a home defeat, but the Boomers were far from home, playing on a grotesque and bumpy Ben Burn Park that did not encourage the flowing passing football the side has become known for.
The absences for this game were Rothman, who will return in two weeks time, Blaine Abraham out with a strained bum cheek, Huss and Ollie Carr.
It was a familiar line up consisting of Cam, McSweeny, Halford and Sammy across the back four with Bascand in goal. Drew Delany and Owen Gibbo Gibson both got their first outfield starts at right and left midfield respectively. Tadhg played in the whole behind Darryl who was leading the front line.
The game started in a scrappy fashion with Strafford and Handley winning all the midfield ball with hard but honest tackling. The Boomers again dominated possession in this game but struggled in the final third to create genuine goal scoring opportunities.
Drew Delany was booked after the whistle was blown for a free kick, proceeded to thump the ball into the bollocks of the Naenae player. The odds for Delany being the first ever player to be sent off have dropped considerably. Delany could prove to be the Boomers' version of Joey Barton following this sort of dissent.
Naenae again included their two African boys who, while being involved and vocal, were being dominated by Boomers players who wanted it more. In one of the few Naenae attacks a cross was whipped in and after striking the arm of McSweeny a penalty was awarded. Bascand made a superb effort to get fingertips to an almost perfect bottom corner penalty from the Naenae captain, but it found the net. Naenae 1-0.
The game carried on in the usual fashion with Naenae frustratingly thumping the ball forward everytime they had it. This would then be followed by pressuring the Boomers players enough to lose it back on the pitch that was proving very difficult to navigate. The routine of Naenae players thumping it forward continued for the whole game.
The Boomers did however have a series of opportunities to score in the second half and should have at least equalised if not gone on to win it. Two quality corners on about the 70th minute should have changed the game. Dave Williams made his debut appearance off the bench and one of his first touches was a barnstorming header off a Cam Holm corner. Williams sent a header goalbound from the penalty spot and was unlucky not to score as the keeper did well to touch over. The resulting corner saw centre back Jesse Halford half volley towards the roof of the net, only for the keeper to make another great save.
Darryl Jones and captain Strafford were both guilty of not testing the keeper with good chances from outside the box. It was becoming one of those days where a goal just won't come and when the final whistle was blown the Boomers disappointment as they walked off.
The Boomers now share fourth with Wellington United Arms and are three points behind Naenae. Petone is six points ahead in second, while Stokes hold top with a perfect record from their six games.
Next week it doesn't get any easier as the Boomers go to Brooklyn's Happy Valley, which will likely be flooded following the weeks rain. To add, it is Brooklyn's better side who haven't had the best of luck this season and will be wanting to pick their season up.
The Boomers won't want to ship any more points or face giving more ground to Stokes and Petone. As well as this, Naenae are now in the mix after their poor start. It is a long season though, and as Man City proved, it ain't over till the end.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Dave Williams to make Boomers return
Karori Boomers wing man Dave Williams will make a surprise return for the side this weekend when they play Naenae at Ben Burn Park.
Williams has been out recovering from knee surgery in the off season and the Boomers will welcome the addition to the squad.
Competition for starting places is much stronger this season with several players putting their hands up for regular football as well as some shrewd signings starting well.
Williams was one of the standout players for the Boomers last year, despite it being his first year of football, he's one of the team's benchmark players in terms of pace, strength and fitness.
After training midweek, he said he was feeling up to the task.
"I felt really good at training, and I was surprised my touch was pretty good," he said.
"It's never easy sitting on the bench, and I'm keen to get on, play well and give the selectors a bit of a headache."
He said there was a positive in-house rivalry with front man Blaine Abraham.
"After his dubious wining of the golden boot last year of course there is a bit of rivalry."
With the strong competition of places and Williams lack of recent first team football it is likely he'll make a cameo appearance in the second half to ease him back in.
Naenae sit on equal points with the Boomers but yield a poor goal difference of negative two. The game kicks off at 2:30pm and Alex Rothman is the only certain absentee, this being the third of five games he will miss.
#GTFU
Williams has been out recovering from knee surgery in the off season and the Boomers will welcome the addition to the squad.
Competition for starting places is much stronger this season with several players putting their hands up for regular football as well as some shrewd signings starting well.
Williams was one of the standout players for the Boomers last year, despite it being his first year of football, he's one of the team's benchmark players in terms of pace, strength and fitness.
After training midweek, he said he was feeling up to the task.
"I felt really good at training, and I was surprised my touch was pretty good," he said.
"It's never easy sitting on the bench, and I'm keen to get on, play well and give the selectors a bit of a headache."
He said there was a positive in-house rivalry with front man Blaine Abraham.
"After his dubious wining of the golden boot last year of course there is a bit of rivalry."
With the strong competition of places and Williams lack of recent first team football it is likely he'll make a cameo appearance in the second half to ease him back in.
Naenae sit on equal points with the Boomers but yield a poor goal difference of negative two. The game kicks off at 2:30pm and Alex Rothman is the only certain absentee, this being the third of five games he will miss.
#GTFU
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Karori Boomers 3-1 Marist
This week the Boomers played host for the first time at Karori Park, gracing the second field against lowly Marist Town.
The Boomers needed to win after a below-par draw against Petone last week meant they lost crucial ground on them and Stokes Valley on the table.
However, it was an opportunity for Marist, who sat in 7th, to pull themselves up into the comfort of mid-table if they could steal a win on Waterside. The Boomers couldn't afford to slip up though as the top two sides' games were a formality.
The Boomers were without playmaker Tadhg Delany, as well as brother Drew Delany. Alex Rothman continues his long-term absence and Ollie Carr also missed this fixture.
There was no referee again and with Marist declining to offer a ref for one half the Boomers were left high and dry to cover both halves. Owen Gibbo Gibson took the whistle for the first half and Jesse Strafford picked up in the second half. The Boomers may need to add a refereeing column to the stat rosters to avoid some players reffing more than others as proper referees seem to be rare this season.
The line up started with Bascand in goal and a familiar back four of Cam, McSweeny, Halford and Sammy Clark from right to left. The midfield included Alie Novak for a home debut, Jesse Strafford partnered Handley in the centre of the park and Michael Candy was elevated to left midfield in Carr's absence. Blaine Abraham and Darryl Jones were hoping to grow their partnership up front. The 4-4-2 formation was another step for the Boomers moving out of the comfort of a five-man midfield and still being able to win it in the midfield.
The Boomers completely dominated both possession and territory in the first half but lacked the finishing touch to many moves. Candy and Sammy linked up well down the left, while Cam and Novak provided equal quality down the right. The use of the wingers were key to the Boomers keeping possession as well as being able to turn the ball over from limp Marist attacks and quickly fire back down the wings.
The first goal came from a short corner to Strafford who whipped a low ball in that was glanced by Handley and then rifled into the net by a Marist defender making an attempted clearance.
Following that a breakaway move where the Boomers were caught napping saw Marist go level after their player rounded Bascand in a one-on-one and finished into an empty net.
The Boomers hit back however, with a typically bustling run from Alex Handley through the middle, and he had the composure to slot home in the bottom corner. Handley is the Boomers second top goalscorer and has been the Boomers version of Spurs signing Scott Parker. He and McSweeny are the only players to feature in every minute of every game so far. However, Handley has a history of injuries and the Boomers should not rely on him too heavily.
It was an awkward second half with the game mainly fought out in the centre of the park. Sammy Clark was solid down the left all game and Marist's only threat was an extra man busting through the midfield, which was dealt with well by the Boomers. Owen Gibbo Gibson came on for a rare appearance for Novak and Raikon came on for Strafford, while Cam Holm moved into the midfield. Marist had chances to equilise, as the Boomers became tired and struggled to control the game. However they weren't clinical and a late move saw Gibbo, in a potential offside position, cross for Darryl to slot home at the back post.
The Boomers went away with a 3-1 win they will be happy with. It was enough on the day but against tougher opposition they will need to be more clinical with their chances. Next week the Boomers are at an alternate home down the road from Karori Park at Ben Burn Park against Naenae who are just behind the Boomers on the table. It's Naenae's second top team at the club and they should not be taken lightly. The Boomers need to keep the pressure on the top two sides.
#GTFU
The Boomers needed to win after a below-par draw against Petone last week meant they lost crucial ground on them and Stokes Valley on the table.
However, it was an opportunity for Marist, who sat in 7th, to pull themselves up into the comfort of mid-table if they could steal a win on Waterside. The Boomers couldn't afford to slip up though as the top two sides' games were a formality.
The Boomers were without playmaker Tadhg Delany, as well as brother Drew Delany. Alex Rothman continues his long-term absence and Ollie Carr also missed this fixture.
There was no referee again and with Marist declining to offer a ref for one half the Boomers were left high and dry to cover both halves. Owen Gibbo Gibson took the whistle for the first half and Jesse Strafford picked up in the second half. The Boomers may need to add a refereeing column to the stat rosters to avoid some players reffing more than others as proper referees seem to be rare this season.
The line up started with Bascand in goal and a familiar back four of Cam, McSweeny, Halford and Sammy Clark from right to left. The midfield included Alie Novak for a home debut, Jesse Strafford partnered Handley in the centre of the park and Michael Candy was elevated to left midfield in Carr's absence. Blaine Abraham and Darryl Jones were hoping to grow their partnership up front. The 4-4-2 formation was another step for the Boomers moving out of the comfort of a five-man midfield and still being able to win it in the midfield.
The Boomers completely dominated both possession and territory in the first half but lacked the finishing touch to many moves. Candy and Sammy linked up well down the left, while Cam and Novak provided equal quality down the right. The use of the wingers were key to the Boomers keeping possession as well as being able to turn the ball over from limp Marist attacks and quickly fire back down the wings.
The first goal came from a short corner to Strafford who whipped a low ball in that was glanced by Handley and then rifled into the net by a Marist defender making an attempted clearance.
Following that a breakaway move where the Boomers were caught napping saw Marist go level after their player rounded Bascand in a one-on-one and finished into an empty net.
The Boomers hit back however, with a typically bustling run from Alex Handley through the middle, and he had the composure to slot home in the bottom corner. Handley is the Boomers second top goalscorer and has been the Boomers version of Spurs signing Scott Parker. He and McSweeny are the only players to feature in every minute of every game so far. However, Handley has a history of injuries and the Boomers should not rely on him too heavily.
It was an awkward second half with the game mainly fought out in the centre of the park. Sammy Clark was solid down the left all game and Marist's only threat was an extra man busting through the midfield, which was dealt with well by the Boomers. Owen Gibbo Gibson came on for a rare appearance for Novak and Raikon came on for Strafford, while Cam Holm moved into the midfield. Marist had chances to equilise, as the Boomers became tired and struggled to control the game. However they weren't clinical and a late move saw Gibbo, in a potential offside position, cross for Darryl to slot home at the back post.
The Boomers went away with a 3-1 win they will be happy with. It was enough on the day but against tougher opposition they will need to be more clinical with their chances. Next week the Boomers are at an alternate home down the road from Karori Park at Ben Burn Park against Naenae who are just behind the Boomers on the table. It's Naenae's second top team at the club and they should not be taken lightly. The Boomers need to keep the pressure on the top two sides.
#GTFU
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Petone 1-1 Karori Boomers
The Karori Boomers had their first game on grass this at Petone last Saturday. It was also their first orthodox Saturday 2:30 game.
Petone Chicago's results had them at the top of the league, a commendable achievement considering it is their first season in Capital 5 following their promotion last year.
Alex Rothman will be missing for 5 weeks and his distribution and ability to keep the ball will be sorely missed by the Boomers. It was the first game without him so Jesse Strafford moved back to his position of last season sitting in the midfield. Cam and McSweeny kept their places at right and centre back respectively while it was a welcome return for Jesse Halford. Michael Candy completed the back four at left back.
Handley returned to the midfield with Tadhg in the hole and Ollie on the left. Novak received a debut start on the right while Darryl Jones started up front.
Petone Chicago may have been the league leaders with goals aplenty however their graceless style of football bamboozled the Boomers who expected a dangerous attacking side. Despite Petone being far from Barcelona, they were penetrative and the Boomers struggled to snuff them out in the first half. There were several realistic goal scoring chances and goalkeeper Jimmy Bascand was lucky to keep a clean sheet in the first half.
Petone immediately proved their aerial prowess, winning any ball the Boomers put to air. Petone's unceremonious pleasure to throw a long ball forward became all too predictable for the Boomers who were happy to swat most deliveries away. Their best chance fell to their striker who managed to lob Bascand from the side of the box and hit the crossbar. The Boomers were lacking the fluidity they needed to stretch the Petone side and create chances though so the match was turning into a gritty, unattractive scrap.
In the second half the deadlock was broken by a goalkeeping howler. After a Boomers chance in the box, with the opportunity to clear, the Petone keeper instead went on a marauding run into the middle of the park. He was tackled by Cam Holm who managed to offload the ball to Tadhg. From around 35 yards, Tadhg had plenty of work to do but sent a beautiful curling strike around the defender rushing back to cover his keeper. Boomers 1-0.
Not long after, a fight broke out involving several of the Boomers and opposition players. Without a proper referee it was an unfortunate situation to have. The commotion ended and the heat in the Petone side was notched up a bit while the Boomers were stagnant. Momentum was slowly going the way of Petone who seemed to want it more. Suddenly the Boomers were playing pressed in their half and could not get themselves back into the game. The ball was given away again in their own half and a quick counter with several Boomers out of position a tap-in goal came off a cross and with 15 minutes still to go it wasn't looking good for the Boomers as Petone were clearly buoyed by their goal.
The Boomers ruggedly and luckily held on in the final moments but will come away feeling lucky to have a point. They clearly failed to take advantage of a Petone side who lacked footballing ability and relied on hefty long balls, hard tackling and pumped up anger. For the Boomers it was a chance to keep up with Stokes Valley and take a mental win over Petone.
It was a chance not taken from the Boomers and they will look to turn that around against Marist at home in Karori. If the Boomers can't imrpove and take all three points this weekend, and results elsewhere don't go their way, they will lose significant early ground on the other title contenders.
GTFU.
Petone Chicago's results had them at the top of the league, a commendable achievement considering it is their first season in Capital 5 following their promotion last year.
Alex Rothman will be missing for 5 weeks and his distribution and ability to keep the ball will be sorely missed by the Boomers. It was the first game without him so Jesse Strafford moved back to his position of last season sitting in the midfield. Cam and McSweeny kept their places at right and centre back respectively while it was a welcome return for Jesse Halford. Michael Candy completed the back four at left back.
Handley returned to the midfield with Tadhg in the hole and Ollie on the left. Novak received a debut start on the right while Darryl Jones started up front.
Petone Chicago may have been the league leaders with goals aplenty however their graceless style of football bamboozled the Boomers who expected a dangerous attacking side. Despite Petone being far from Barcelona, they were penetrative and the Boomers struggled to snuff them out in the first half. There were several realistic goal scoring chances and goalkeeper Jimmy Bascand was lucky to keep a clean sheet in the first half.
Petone immediately proved their aerial prowess, winning any ball the Boomers put to air. Petone's unceremonious pleasure to throw a long ball forward became all too predictable for the Boomers who were happy to swat most deliveries away. Their best chance fell to their striker who managed to lob Bascand from the side of the box and hit the crossbar. The Boomers were lacking the fluidity they needed to stretch the Petone side and create chances though so the match was turning into a gritty, unattractive scrap.
In the second half the deadlock was broken by a goalkeeping howler. After a Boomers chance in the box, with the opportunity to clear, the Petone keeper instead went on a marauding run into the middle of the park. He was tackled by Cam Holm who managed to offload the ball to Tadhg. From around 35 yards, Tadhg had plenty of work to do but sent a beautiful curling strike around the defender rushing back to cover his keeper. Boomers 1-0.
Not long after, a fight broke out involving several of the Boomers and opposition players. Without a proper referee it was an unfortunate situation to have. The commotion ended and the heat in the Petone side was notched up a bit while the Boomers were stagnant. Momentum was slowly going the way of Petone who seemed to want it more. Suddenly the Boomers were playing pressed in their half and could not get themselves back into the game. The ball was given away again in their own half and a quick counter with several Boomers out of position a tap-in goal came off a cross and with 15 minutes still to go it wasn't looking good for the Boomers as Petone were clearly buoyed by their goal.
The Boomers ruggedly and luckily held on in the final moments but will come away feeling lucky to have a point. They clearly failed to take advantage of a Petone side who lacked footballing ability and relied on hefty long balls, hard tackling and pumped up anger. For the Boomers it was a chance to keep up with Stokes Valley and take a mental win over Petone.
It was a chance not taken from the Boomers and they will look to turn that around against Marist at home in Karori. If the Boomers can't imrpove and take all three points this weekend, and results elsewhere don't go their way, they will lose significant early ground on the other title contenders.
GTFU.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Karori Boomers 0-1 Stokes Valley
Wakefield at night is becoming a familiar picture to the Boomers who were there again to ply their trade, this week against a ruthless Stokes Valley side playing on the back of a massive 8-1.
The Boomers were without Jesse Halford, Owen Gibson and Raiko Shareef for this game but welcomed in John Huss Mortimer and Alie Novak for their first appearances of the season. Stokes Valley contain several goalscoring threats and the loss of defensive rock Halford would surely hurt the Boomers.
The Boomers went for a four-four-two formation for the first time this season with Handley dropping to centre back to cover for the missing Halford. Bascand got the nod in goal ahead of Drew Delany who was unlucky not to retain the gloves after a magnificent performance last week against the University Accies. McSweeny was the other centre back while Sammy Clark and Cam Holm completed the back four.
Tadhg Delany was removed from the playground that is playing in the whole and was asked to knuckle down in the centre of the park with engine-room Alex Rothman. Today Ollie Carr took up a spot on the left wing after a good shift against the Accies, but he is likely to face competition for the spot if John Huss Mortimer can turn up to more games. Although it's rare for the Boomers to have two players with that level of fitness fighting for one position, it sets the bar for the team and no Boomers player dare lower their intensity, in fear of losing their spot. Jess Strafford was wide on the right while Abraham and Jones double-barrelled up top.
The game started with both teams committing to tackles at a high intensity. The Boomers have kept no secrets about their particular hatred towards Stokes Valley. The Boomers first chance fell to Darryl Jones who half-volleyed a shot that was saved by the keeper. The game continued on as both sides exchanged blows. It appeared Stokes had a bit more dominance on the ball and had better opportunities going forward during the first half. When a Boomers clearance went a wry, a Stokes Valley player was in a fortunate position to pick the ball up unmarked in the box with just Bascand to beat. A good save from Bascand led to a comedy of deflections falling to another fortunately placed Stokes Valley player to tap home. It was an unlucky goal to concede and the feeling it was the kind of goal that decided gritty fixtures like this began to dwell on the Boomers.
The Boomers pressed with nothing but long shots for the rest of the half. During the break the Boomers pointed out key issues but mainly it was about keeping the ball and not panicking when in possession. The Boomers missed their chance to come out and try and set a precedent from the beginning of the first half and in hindsight this was a huge moment in the game. The longer the half pressed on the less it looked like the Boomers could equilise let alone bag the three points. Some notable Boomers performances were Jesse Strafford who tackled hard and got involved in some good play down the right. The ever tackling Alex Handley was superb at the back but his ball winning and distribution skills were missed in the midfield. Tadhg and Rothman played well in bursts for the Boomers but failed to control the midfield enough to then create real goalscoring chances.
Michael Candy came on for Sammy Clark, Huss for Ollie and Alie Novak made his debut coming on for Abraham. Within moments of coming on, Novak was presented with a golden opportunity to equilise but scuffed the moment. More long shots ensued with no result, and following some nervous meddling on the ball at the back the Boomers were lucky it only ended 1-0. A special note for Drew Delany, who despite last weeks heroics and a show at training didn't get on the field. Jesse Strafford had clearly planned for Delany's back up vocals in She Drives Me Crazy later that night and didn't want anything bad happening to him.
A great man once said "You have to beat Mince." After denying a goal to the Mince, Stokes Valley left Wakefield knowing that theory was very much the truth.
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