6 May 2025

Will Murphy
May 7
2 min read

Division 1: Sprig + Fern Tahuna 1st XI

1st XI 2-2 FC Nelson 1st XI

Location: Neale Park

Goals: Mackenzie Manaton, Seth Watson

Match MVP: Seth Watson

“Watson, wobblies & war cries - the boys refuse to die”

After Saturday’s tactical drubbing from Blenheim that felt like watching peak Arsenal dismantle Derby County, the lads barely had time to wash their socks before heading into a Tuesday night scrap with the slick, well-drilled FC Nelson.

Squad depth? Let’s just say Ethan and Luc were off living their best Premier League off-season in Sydney, so Isaac Taylor was drafted in for a classic 90-minute Ironman shift, while Harry and Petchy brought firepower and vibes off the bench.

Tahuna started like early-2000s Spurs — chaotic, entertaining, and somehow dangerous. Nick and Stan both sniffed out early chances after some sloppy Nelson back-passing, but couldn’t quite apply the finishing touch.

Then: magic. A slick series of one-twos led to Mateo floating in a Beckham-esque ball to the near post, where Macca went full Robbie Fowler at Anfield and flicked it past the keeper.

1–0 Tahuna. Scenes. Limbs. Someone spilled their thermos.

Moments later, chaos of a different kind: Jonny, victim of a rogue elbow to the ribs, projectile re-lived his pre-match cheeseburger on the sideline. It was less Thierry Henry, more “sick cat with a stomach bug.”

Despite Joe Robertson’s best Van der Sar impersonation and multiple goal-line heroics, FC Nelson pulled level just before the break.

Second half? A siege. FC took the lead in the 66th after a rare lapse, and with Joe forced off injured, Mateo threw on the gloves for a cameo straight out of John O’Shea emergency keeper mode.

Just when FC thought they’d sealed it, Tahuna did what Tahuna do — refused to die.

88th minute, free kick. Seth Watson (yes, him again) rose like peak Peter Crouch on stilts, flicked it back across goal, and buried it.

2–2. Absolute limbs.

That’s 3 goals in 3 for the TFC patriarch and 5/6 Tahuna goals this season from set pieces - Tony Pulis would be proud.

Man of the Match: Seth “Crouchy” Watson — covered more ground than a 4-4-2 in 2002 and popped up clutch again. Unstoppable. Unbothered. Unbelievable.

Massive shout to IT, Harry, and Petchy for filling in!

Next Up: The boys return home to KFC Arena (aka Tahuna Park) for a Saturday showdown against Suburbs U18s. Match report by Mackenzie Manaton.