Men's Div 1: Sprig & Fern Tahuna 1st XI v FC Nelson Karenni
Men's Div 3: Sprig & Fern Tahuna 2nd XI v FC Nelson NMIT
Men's Div 4: Sprig & Fern Tahuna 3rd XI v Nelson Suburbs FC Rovers
Men's Div 5: Sprig & Fern Tahuna 4th XI v Nelson Suburbs FC Athletico Suburbia
Women's Div: Sprig & Fern Tahuna Breakers v Golden Bay Wahine Toa
Photos (as noted) by Ab's Snaps. For more match-day pics join the Facebook Group. To purchase photos or request your own photos at the next game contact Abbi Robinson.
1st XI 2-0 Karenni
Location: Guppy Park
Goals: Mackenzie Manaton, Jack Keogan
Match MVP: Mackenzie Manaton
After a hot minute of having no Saturday footy, the Tahuna boys trotted onto the field at Guppy Park with determination to collect a much needed 3 points against FC Nelson Karenni.
The game started positively for the lads who normally take a while to get into the swing of things, and love conceding an early goal, went into the first half looking strong in defence. With confidence building as the game went on, and a controlling act from Jared and Fred in the middle of the field, the boys strung a few passes together and created many opportunities, however failed to capitalise. Despite Karenni doing their best to weave between the Tahuna lads, they were forced to shoot from distance with Joe looking as solid as ever in goal and up for any shots that found their way through. As the first half came to an end, the score remained locked at 0-0.
After the halftime break and a tactical update by coach on the day Jesse, the second half commenced. With the field gradually deteriorating and getting chewed up, both teams pushed for the goal that would break the deadlock. After an attack from Tahuna, the ball broke loose and fell to the feet of Mackenzie just inside the 18-yard box, keeping calm and composed Macca slotted the ball into the back of the net (with a cheeky deflection) putting TFC 1-0 up! Karenni pushed for an equaliser, coming close a couple of times but not capitalising on their chances. In the midst of a half way tussle, Danny encountered a head knock and came away looking even more dazed than usual, forcing him to leave the field. In honour of Danny’s bravery, Tahuna upped the pressure and looked to secure the game with a second goal. This came soon when a foul was drawn on the outside of Karenni's 18-yard box. Mitch stepped up and produced a great curling shot which the Karenni keeper could only parry straight into the path of Jack who reacted well and headed it into the net, putting Tahuna 2-0 up and cementing the win. Shortly after, the final whistle went, giving Tahuna a much-needed and well-deserved 3 points and seeing them find a very rare clean sheet.
Man of the match went to Mackenzie who had a stellar of a game and battled it out up front hassling the opposition defence the whole game.
The team appears to have found their footing and grow stronger every game - only one direction from here - Up Up Tahuna!
Match report by Mitch
2nd XI 3-1 FC Nelson NMIT
Location: Tahuna Reserve
Goals: Darryn Fitzgerald, Gary Walker, Jamie Floyd
Match MVP: Ethan Skinner
The undefeated Tahuna FC Second XI faced off against NMIT in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at the Tahunanui Playing Fields, the pitch in fantastic shape despite weeks of heavy rain. Although sitting behind NMIT on goal difference, Tahuna came into this game with plenty of motivation, having beaten NMIT by 5 goals to 4 in a very entertaining encounter at Neale Park the last time the teams met.
Injuries and holidays meant that Tahuna’s starting 11 had a few changes, with Jamie Floyd spotted in an unfamiliar centreback role alongside Eric ‘the seal’ Louis and the Skinner double act of Ethan and Tim. Neil Geeza Harding started in centre mid with both Joe Walton and Duane Valentine unavailable. A solid looking 4-3-3 formation was chosen with the aim of keeping it tight at the back and controlled in the middle.
The game started sloppily and didn’t get much better throughout the half. For the most part, Tahuna were in possession, however, couldn’t really get going and were failing to string passes together, overrunning the ball too often or taking the wrong option. NMIT on the other hand had a clear tactic to play it long over the top for their speedy front 3 to run on to. There was some goal mouth action at least. Tahuna keeper Will Murphy did well to tip a powerful long-range effort over the bar before Darryn Fitzgerald opened the scoring at the other end with a great run and shot from distance after being played through by Ethan Skinner. NMIT picked up their game and their direct style finally paid off when a through ball left two strikers up against Eric at the back. The NMIT striker managing to square the ball to his teammate who fired it into the net past the keeper. Game on. Seth Watson almost managed to get his name on the scoreboard after he was played in but his shot didn’t have the power it needed to get past the NMIT keeper. The long ball from NMIT continued to cause issues in the Tahuna defence, and in the last minute of the half NMIT got through one on one with the keeper - but Murphy was down to save at the striker's feet when he really should have scored. The whistle blew and Tahuna were thankful to be going in level at the break in what was a very flat first-half performance.
Clearly frustrated, and knowing things needed to be switched up to get Tahuna back in the game, Geeza subs himself off for Jamie Floyd, with Seth dropping to centreback and Gary Walker moving further up the pitch.
The opening 5 or 10 minutes of the second half weren’t that much better, but then it all started to click for Tahuna, with the midfield moving the ball around really nicely. Nice simple passes. Always finding the man in space, taking the easy option, the trio in the middle passing it amongst themselves before switching it to the wide men. Dan Smith and Paddy Connor linking well on the right, and Gary Walker, Geeza, and Ethan linking well on the left. Ed Johnson, Jamie, and Isaac Taylor dominated the middle for about 20 minutes, with NMIT hardly having a kick, although when they did, they still looked dangerous on the break with the fancy footwork of their wingers causing lots of problems for the defence. But they stood strong – Eric almost too strong and lucky to escape a booking with a crunching tackle and an accidental kick to the chest on an NMIT midfielder all within the space of 5 minutes. Tahuna’s pressure paid off with the second goal coming after IT burst through midfield and shot from distance, the keeper spilling his shot right at Gary Walker’s feet to tap in. Paddy Connor didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet this week, but played a big part in Tahuna’s third and final goal, cushioning a delightful cross from Isaac Taylor into the path of the onrushing Jamie Floyd who smashed it into the roof of the net.
All in all, a really solid second half from Tahuna, possibly some of their best football this season. Another game unbeaten and Tahuna now sit top of the table on goal difference ahead of Loco Steamers.
Special thanks to Kev Cooper who stepped up to ref the game at short notice after an injury to the scheduled ref.
Match report by Will
3rd XI 5-1 Rovers
Location: Ngawhatu Recreation
Goals: Pedro Ivo (2), Sayha Men (2), Diego Catto
Match MVP: Max Whitehead
Another great game for the fans.
We got stuck in from the kick-off and put them under pressure. We scored after about 15 mins (Sayha). Then 10mins later, Pedro put another away. They pulled one back before half time but we were in control.
We came out with more of the same in the second half and ground them down. We put another 1 past them about 15mins into the second half. Then we went into a defensive formation and put another 2 past them 5-1.
Tactically spot on, we passed well and calmed the game down when needed. We were pretty lethal up front and held the mid well. Our back line played simple effective football and had their attackers under control. Everyone worked hard....we had to....no subs....but I think the continuity worked well. Personally I would have liked to have had a bit of a rest, but I'll take the win. We're still top of the pile, 1 point above Wakey, so it's all in our hands.
Player of the day Max (used his speed and kept it simple).
Assists Col 1.....help me out with the rest.
Next week we're away at Mapua so let's bring home another win.
See you at training.
Match report by Colin
4th XI 1-9 Athletico Suburbia
Location: Tahuna Reserve
Goals: Ravi Chand
Match MVP: Thomas Holand
Football returned to S&F #2 after a long lay off and, unfortunately, it was not a good day for the team in many ways. After a promising start to the game, a quick break saw the Suburbs striker get free on the right-hand side before sliding a cross into the box. One of the Suburbs lads knocked the ball past an advancing Zach into the goal for the opener, then collided with Zach. Unfortunately, Zach was injured in the collision and was unable to carry on. The game was held up for quite some time as we waited for assistance to come and assess Zach. There must be something in that family's genes, as Zach's father-in-law, Ben, took his place in goal. If my memory serves me right, Ben's father-in-law is Suburb stalwart, Mel Heath, Taylah's grandfather. That's it from Ancestry.Com.
Anyhoo, just after the game restarted, we managed to grab an equaliser with Ravi curling a cross over the keeper's flailing arms and into the far corner. Game on, or at least we thought so. This just appeared to stir the Suburbs lads on and to be fair we were second best from then on in. Not really must else to say.
Big shout out to Ben for helping out in a difficult situation, in only his second game of football and we wish Zach a speedy recovery.
MOM - Not sure who got this but good performances by Daniel, Shiv and Justin. Richmond up next and another tough one expected against the top team in the League, however, it's up to us to put in a performance which we are capable off.
Up Up Tahuna.
Match report by Pete
Breakers 0-2 Golden Bay
Location: Golden Bay
Match MVP: Courtenay Colligan
Two nights accommodation: $97
Food and booze: $150
Scoring our second own goal in the exact same spot as the first: Priceless
The Breakers lineup for the weekend was scarce, but 12 injury-free ladies (and their moonboot clad chaperone) were tempted to the bay with a promise of Anita's famous apple crumble and a midnight swim. Rolling into Golden Bay on a sunny Friday morning, we were greeted by many friendly Takahesians - all of whom seemed pumped to have foreigners from over the hill in town for the weekend. Preparations for the big game on Saturday started early, with the team ensuring they were well hydrated and fresh as daisies ready for our "grudge match" against Wahine Toa. We'd seen the challenge issued across social media, and were determined to put on a good show.
As per the usual Golden Bay standards, the pitch had been groomed to perfection and several weeks' worth of rain applied to ensure adequate length grass, and appropriately deep mud holes. The sky even opened for us during the match to ensure we all stayed well hydrated.
Wahine Toa opened with a whizz and a bang, but we knew they were going to be quicker than us after the pantsing we received last time - and we had a plan! Plugging the Swiss cheese holes with a bunch of Amelia's brownies, the backline sussed out how to keep Golden Bay... at bay. We held them up higher, forcing shots from further out - all of which were cleaned up by the Breakers defense or Bob.
But soon, history was to repeat itself - and a stunner of a "Muddle" up saw the Breakers scoring the first goal of the match - too bad it was in the wrong net.
Halftime was the only breather many of us got, so we wisely spent it shoveling sugar into our bodies. Wahine Toa was determined to actually score a goal of their own this half, and the shots came thick and fast as the jelly snake tanks hit E. Running out to catch an air ball, Bob was determined to make the save - but collided midair with a Golden Bay player and ended up splat on her arse with eyes "going round like the caramilk cow" - and somewhere amongst the chaos the ball was ejected to the sideline. Plenty of action up the front too with a number of shots fired towards the Golden Bay keeper, and a penalty shot narrowly missing the opportunity to become a part of our scorecard. Our passing skills also seem to be improving, as we managed quite the sequence of headers - was it 3 or 5? A cross from Jenna was on target, but not quite enough zoom behind it to fly past the keeper. With the final whistle not far off, we attempted a last ditch distraction technique, sending one of our backline up to play winger. And in her own words, Kylie "did a run and died" - looked good from the back anyway!
Final score 2 - 0 to Golden Bay. With the score gap narrowing, we are looking forward to meeting the bay girls on Breaker turf next time!
Honorable mentions go to Hazel for her first game, with fancy footwork that for sure came in handy and a shot that was so close to hitting their net!
Player of the day went to Bob for doing the Bob things - saving balls, talking shit, and yelling all game.
Tit of the day goes to Tia for scoring our only goal of the day - welcome to the t-shirt of shame!
A final shout out to all who cooked, cleaned, baked, counselled, drove, supplied linen, organised gear/accommodation, herded people, and made the annual Breakers Golden Bay getaway a damn great time!
Match report by Bob
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