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.
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