“Impact, in direct and metaphoric sense, is a collision or conflict between two physical bodies, ideas or behaviours. It may also indicate a strong reaction to, or consequences of a particular event.”
We think our training of late must have had an impact on the Devilz... the double header weekend started off with an outing against Manurewa St. Annes Knights, a team which marched through the div.02 grading rounds with 7 from 7 and 41:9 goals scored, clearly a team one had to be weary of.
Over the last five weeks the Devilz had the fortunate opportunity to add regular indoor training sessions to their schedule, the small field games and the emphasis on developing a passing game was a direct response of the coaching staff to some of the development needs of the team as a whole.
When the Devilz took the field on Saturday morning on a rather chilly Bledisloe Park a somewhat re-jigged team was on show. With the Iron Maiden watching the gravel express, co-piloted by her dad, churning through the Waikato and Da Man otherwise engaged in the Far North, the line-up indicated the Devilz’s intend of stinging the Knight’s early. Speed to burn holes across the park was stacked in the defence and the linking central midfield position with the Stinga and the Viper respectively. The Muss at left back and Berkamp, Mini and the Needle up front rounded off the starting field positions, with the Terminator between the sticks. Our rolling subs were lead by Smiley and friends of the Devilz, Alex Norvill and Lee Kane.
When CBR Grant Keen blew the starting whistle at around 11:11hrs the Devilz unleashed one HELLUVA of game. Passing, running, dribbling, tackling, it all had text book written all over it, yet the yield of 1:0 at half-time threatened to betray a good day’s work badly.
The Knights were no pushovers; their two forwards came at the Devilz’s defence with might, force and brutal speed, however the Devilz stood up to the challenge and committed cover defence and a Terminator on fire time and again left the tearing Twin Towers of the Knights despairing.
The Devilz came into halftime with their heads high and glowing with excitement. They knew that they had found a new level of performance, skill and execution, the confidence of the team was tangible and evident by the intimidating calmness with which the half-time talks were conducted.
With the start of the second half the faithful few spectators were treated to something special. The Devilz and friends found another quality in their game; the finishing touch.
First it was Alex, pouncing on a through ball from Bergkamp, his smile and celebration surely something that will stick with his mum for a long time....
In quick succession Bergkamp, Bergkamp and the Needle made sure that the result somewhat adequately reflected the total dominance and enthusiasm the Devilz had over the Knights on the day. From one to ten the Devilz played the game the coaches wanted them to play, a great late morning entertainment and the beaming faces coming off the pitch after the final whistle told a story in their own right. Well done Devilz and a special thanks to the two Black Boaties who helped us out on the day. Alex with his first goal in a first division game and Lee with his first outing in a first division team on his birthday did brilliantly and we were privileged to have them. There was no one player of the day; the award went to the whole team, something the sponsors have not been told yet `;o).
–Cheers-, W
On another note;
We wish to thank Caltex and Lynda for supporting our team on match-days again this year with plenty of goodies for the player of the day –Thanks Caltex-.
The Devilz’ motto “… the Sky’s the limited!”