Welcome back everyone! The season is fully in swing now, and the weather is playing along too. With all this rain and wind, you can definitely tell it’s winter, which means that it’s perfect for football!
Before we dive into this week’s recap, just a quick reminder that you should have received an invoice for fees by now, and have contacted our talented Treasurer Jocelyn to sort these out. If you haven’t, send her an email at treasurer@takaroafc.org.nz to clear things up.
Our senior teams had another solid weekend, keeping Takaro higher in the tables than we have been in some time.
The Chillmax 1st’s had a convincing 5-1 win over North End, with excellent skills demonstrated by all players throughout the game. This week’s player of the day was Gavin Eades, scoring 2 stunning goals for the team. Despite being 2 points behind division leaders, Feilding, this past weekend extended the 1st’s exceptional unbeaten streak to 21 games, 14 from the end of the 2015 season and the first 7 of 2016.
The Glory were unfortunate to end their game against the Marist Greenies with a 2-1 loss, but considered it a fantastic improvement over the last time they faced these opponents, which resulted in a 10-0 loss. The team had a fantastic defensive game, and are feeling strong going into some less challenging games over the next few weeks, still sitting at third on their table. The player of the day was Israel Park, and a shout out from the team goes to Muzza for filling in in the back line for the day.
The Dribbler’s suffered their first loss of the season, with a last minute goal by the Marist Jesters pulling them out of a hard fought draw to 2-1. With a few players away, the team dug deep and played fantastically. Never fear, though, they remain top of their table thanks to goal difference, and are looking forward to picking things back up next week.
As ever, the Maiden’s score line did not reflect the heart, determination and energy that the ladies put into their 17-1 loss to the Dannevirke Valkyrie. According to team manager Bill O’Brien, “The only Maiden’s goal scored was by our newest team member, Hoppy, and she received raucous applause and shouts of joy from the field and the sideline, both by Takaro and Dannevirke supporters! It was resonant of any sporting world cup final; the proverbial stadium roof was certainly lifted!” Playing the Valkyrie is always a highlight in the Maiden’s season, and they showed their appreciation for the game with a hot meal on the sideline.
It was another full on morning over at the junior fields on Saturday morning as well, with parents, players and coaches all get back into the swing of those early, drizzly mornings!
The First Kicks had another enormous turnout of 14 eager young players. Once again paired with the Riverside Red Sox, they had a great time working through their drills before some wee games filled in the rest of the morning. Third Generation Takaro player Alijah O’Brien was Player of the Day in only his second weekend of football.
The 7th Grade team was left in the able hands of Manager Leigh Albert, with Coach Dan away sick. The team had a great time as ever, and persevered to a great result in their game against North End.
The 8th Grade Magpies had their first full game of the season after a bye last weekend, and after a heroic effort by the team, including two great goals by Alex Bradley, the team unfortunately lost to North End. Their Player of the Day was Nikhil Baine.
The 9th Grade Jaguars had their first away game of the season, with an intrepid journey all the way to the Ashhurst Domain to face the home team there. Coach Kevin was back this week, and delighted by the efforts of all the players, with excellent skills in both attack and defense, fancy footwork and great teamwork from all players. He said it was hard to pick a Player of the Day, but in the end it went to Levi Ohlson, for tireless running, excellent attack and a well-deserved goal.
The Lions had another excellent weekend cheered on by Coach Lance, and went out hard for a great result against the Ruahine Lions.
After some confusion to do with the grade of our 12/13 team, the Foxes, Coach Andrew contacted the Hokowhitu Storm to play a friendly match after the official fixture was cancelled. The Hokowhitu team and the Foxes had a great friendly match, even swapping up the teams to test their skills with against their own teammates. It was a great game, and for her grit, determination and excellent positional play, Victoria Bryant was the Foxes’ Player of the Day.
So there we have it for another week! Shout outs this weekend go to:
- Junior Club Captain Andrew Turner – a lot goes on in the background of football, and getting all our junior teams in the grades and divisions they should be is a difficult and time-intensive job. Thanks Andrew!
- The coaches, both senior and junior, who remember to get me the info for this newsletter on top of all the other stuff they have to do
- The weather, for not raining too hard on us while we’re out playing or spectating!
As ever, if you have any photos of the players, coaches, or supporters in action, any awesome Player of the Day pics, or any shout outs for someone you think makes our game or club better, drop us a line at contact@takaroafc.org.nz
Until next week, yours in football,
Rachel