Friday January 23
Simon Hutchinson 1 v Kevin Nieman 0 (HT 1-0)
"Lots of missed flicks," Kevin said reflecting on the game, "which is typical of my first game of the night."
He went on to describe his play as "Hap hazard play and no consistent offense."
Then added with a wry smile on his face "Aside from that it was a wonderful game."
"I agree with Kevin about the missed flicks," Simon added. "I had the ball in Kevin's shooting zone but either fluffed it or Kevin blocked the move with his defense."
Wayne Smith 6 v Adam Carlson 0 (HT 4-0) game stopped with 4:30 left to play
"I definitely did not flick as well as last week", Adam observed. "I did have three build ups and shots. One struck the goal post, one shot was wide, one off the cross bar."
"My shooting was really hot," Wayne said with a smile on his face. "I don't think I shot a single ball wide, everything was on goal. And Adam made two or three saves.
"I think if we kept records Adam would have broken the record for most backs in a game. Realistically 60% of his defensive flicks were backs."
Simon Hutchinson 2 v Adam Carlson 0 (HT 1-0)
"That was much better than the last game," a relieved Adam reported. "Simon still played faster than me."
"Adam goalkeeping was unbelievable," his opponent explained. "He made foour or five great saves, including one with his knee. I shot taking him by surprise and he bumped his goalkeeper's handle with his knee and moved it the way of my shot!.
"In the first half Adam twice stranded his [spare] goalkeeper leaving me with the ball on the left wing, right where the shooting line meets the throw-in line, but I was unable to capitalize on it."
Wayne Smith 2 v Kevin Nieman 0 (HT 2-0)
Wayne described the opening of the game. "The game started with Kevin kicking off making his way through my defensive line without me taking a flick and slamming a rolling ball just wide, without me getting my hand on the goalkeeper. I took the following goal kick, promptly went down the pitch and scored with 54 seconds into the game. It was pretty impressive offense, defense sucked. Two minutes after that I shot the ball under Kevin's goalkeeper."
"Under my massive rod," Kevin interjected.
Wayne continued. "After the second goal Kevin made three good saves and I obviously did not score any more goals."
It was Kevin's turn to describe his play. "My second best [chance] was not a goal. It was forced corner. The ball was sitting in midfield, just over the shooting line. I took my flick to put the ball into a shootable position and flicked the same figure as soon as the ball become shootable and hit the post, [the ball] hit the goalkeeper and went out for a corner."
Wayne Smith 3 v Simon Hutchinson 1 (HT 2-1)
"I was pleased to score three goals on Simon," Wayne explained. "His defense has become very good. I can no longer score easy goals because of misflicks on his defense."
"The game was a lot closer that the score suggests," was Simon's reply. "I think I had 40% of the possession and had four or five shots on goal. My goal was a chance where I could hardly get my finger inbetween the players. The ball and figure were dead center and the powerful shot took Wayne by surprise as he did not have his hand near his goalkeeper."
Kevin Nieman 2 v Adam Carlson 0 (HT 0-0)
"Adam and I in the first half could not put together a lot of offense," was Kevin explanation of the goalless first half. "It was not until the second half that I had my first goal. Down the left side, it was a chip over the keeper.
"My second as from an Adam throw-in in his [shooting] zone that struck my player, leaving me a perfect shot down the center.
"The rest of the match was very wild, no retained possession, and a whole lot of fun."
He went on to describe how well Adam had played, "Adam had one offensive rush where he was going down the left side and placed the ball in such a perfect position for a shot. I was nowhere near my keeper. I went 'Oh my god' and had to run about the table. He shot wide. It was a very impressive offense and it took me by surprise."
Adam gave us his thoughts: "The first half was neck-and-neck. But in the second half I slowed down and could not keep up with Kevin."
Adam Carlson 0 v Kevin Nieman 0
"Lots of end to end action," was how Kevin described the game. "I felt I had the bulk of the offensive opportunities, but could not seem to score. Adam's defense held me scoreless very effectively."
"I played much better in the game than I had in any other game today," Adam explained, "and Kevin better watch his back!"
Wayne Smith 3 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT 2-0)
"I started of quickly," Wayne said after the game, "and three minutes I was playing so well with my Hannover team I think I will use them in the tournament [ASA Open on January 25]. I shot really well with them. Simon made at least two brilliant saves. I am playing as well as I did on the morning of the nationals in Idaho. Which is the best I have played."
Friday January 29
Munir Merchant 0 v Kevin Nieman 0
"We were playing on an uneven field," Munir explained. "The game was ragged. I don't remember any real chances. I think I made just one save".
"The game went swimmingly until Wayne [Smith] showed up and questioned the integrity of the pitch," Kevin said with a wry smile. "Oddly I was doing fine until then. But honestly the play was erratic due to the undulating pitch, and nobody had any real offense."
Steve Tucker 1 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT 0-0)
Goal/Second half
11:18 1-0 Steve scores
"It was a really fun game," Steve said. "It was really open, I put four or five up and he put four or five up. I think I had the balance of the shots. In the end one great brilliant fast goal."
"I feel I was robbed," Simon lamented. "I struck the cross bar early in the first half. Then midway through the second half I turned and shot, the ball hit the inside of the far post and stopped on the line. I would have thought the laws of physics would have meant it would have gone in."
Simon Hutchinson 0 v Munir Merchant 0
"Pretty frustrating," Munir exclaimed. "I think Simon had most of the possession. I was unable to get into Simon's [shooting] zone. There were not many chances."
"I agree," Simon concurred, "very frustrating. I could not turn all of that possession into more shots on goal."
"Kind of a disappointing game," Munir interjected.
"I had four, five, or six up," Simon continued, "and I could just not get into a shootable position."
Steve Tucker 1 v Wayne Smith 0 (HT 0-0)
"Best game I have played against Wayne in a while," Steve said with a smile on his face. "I played a good game."
"A good game," Wayne agreed.
"I had better chances earlier, I got lucky." Steve continued. "The goal was a slower [shot] into the corner. I was lucky it went in."
"Steve played a terrific game, I didn't," Wayne said with a shrug.
"I think Wayne was intimidated by the pitch," Steve explained. "He got some bad rolls early and his confidence went downhill."
"I need more mental toughness," Wayne started. "I must change my offense tactics when the pitch is wavy. I depend on 25 inch passes. When I cannot do that it takes away from my game.
"My only chance was on the right wing and I knew there was little time left I slammed the ball at his goal hoping he could not get his keeper there. But he did an he won the game."
Kevin Nieman 1 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT 1-0)
"I felt my only goal was good," Kevin started, "but only due to a defensive lapse. After my goal Simon did everything short of tilting the field to score. I feel fortunate to have retained the win."
"What do I have to do to score?" Simon cried. "I stuck the far post five times and force Kevin to make a string of saves. Yet again I had most of the possession in my opponent's half, but I could not convert it into either decent shots or goals."
Wayne Smith 2 v Munir Merchant 1 (HT 0-1)
"I played pretty good in the first half," Munir explained. "I think the pitch does help if you are facing one direction."
He continued. "It was a game of two halves. My goal was a good ramped shot off Wayne's defensive player. The second half was all Wayne."
"It was like Munir said," Wayne started. "It was a game of two halves. Whoever had the wrinkles in his offensive half was completely shot down. All three goals were scored going the other direction. There were probably eight or nine changes [of possession] caused by the wrinkles during the game.
"Before I scored I hit the metal [post] six times, which included two on one shot.
"Munir played really good defense and every time I tried to run up the field with one figure he cut the figure off from the ball immediately."
Wayne Smith 6 v Simon Hutchinson 1 (HT 4-1)
"Every roll the ball took ended up in my favor," Wayne explained. "I actually felt sorry for Simon because after four or five bad rolls I could see that his flicking became tentative. My shooting was just right on and even the first goal took a lucky bounce."
"I feared this would happen," Simon replied, "Wayne has been held in the last few games and it was just a question time before this happened. He crushed me. I did not give up, I just kept attacking. I have to say my goal was a good one. Apart from that it was painful."
Kevin Nieman 1 v Steve Tucker 1 (HT 1-0)
"My goal was from a strange angle off to the right," Kevin explained, "I don't think Steve was prepared for a shot."
"A great goal," Steve agreed.
"I was sensing a defensive flick," Kevin continued.
"I didn't think you would have made the angle," Steve explained.
"Drastic angle," Kevin continued, "it was a freak goal."
"Hell of shot," Steve agreed.
"For the rest of the game I was on the defense..." Kevin went on.
"I pressed," Steve interrupted.
"Steve would give up the ball and I would hold it," Kevin continued.
"It was those good defensive flicks," Steve interjected.
"His goal was well earned." Kevin explained. "He spent the entire match earning his goal."
"The first half was very even," Steve said. "After Kevin got his goal I pressed big time. He defended very well, with good defensive flicks. At the end I found a small spot. I am thankful I got the shot.
"It was a good night," he continued. "Two wins and a draw."