William Hill was an interesting character....I once went to the house he used to live in, high in the hills overlooking Montego Bay.
"Not bad for someone who set odds on sporting outcomes" I said to my travelling companion at the time. Ever since, I've liked to predict the odds, but never had the balls to put my money where my mouth is.
Hence, I live in a house overlooking Pukekohe Hill.
The smart money for today's game was for a tightly fought, close victory over the Western Springs Galacticos.
(Pukekohe $1.30) (WSG $2.85) (Draw $3.00)
In our previous encounter, they had pushed us all the way, before succumbing 2-0.
We would have settled for a 1-0 win courtesy of a deflection off Gavin's arse if we had to.
As such, the first goalscorers odds were as follows:
Andy Davey $3.00
Dave Benard $7.50
Fabs $8.00
Leeroy $10.00
Fin $16.00
Russ $25.00
JK $25.00
Brian Mac $50.00
Dolly $75.00
George $80.00
Daryl $100.00
The Harveymeister $500.00
Ringtons Liam $750.00
Pete Clark $1000.00
Big Gav $5000.00
Andrea $10000.00
Jim Hey $1.01 for a ropey decision
In bright and blustery conditions we attacked the Playground End on a pitch that was remarkably firm. To be fair, for the first 25, we were all over them. Andy screwed one wide when clear, Gav had a crack in the box, likewise Daryl. I piled one over the top when I should have done better and Fabs went close with an early header.
Our defence was neat and tidy, the ball was being knocked around on the deck and we bossed the midfield.
Dave Benard was linking nicely with the backs, particularly Mark and spreading it wide to Russ and Jk...in short we were a joy to watch.
It was only going to be a matter of time before we took the lead and with 20 minutes on the clock, that's exactly what we did. An in-swinging corner was touched into Andy Davey's path and he made no mistake from six yards, rifling a rising ball in off the bar.
Technically, it was a difficult chance, but he made it look easy gobbling up his 24th goal of the campaign.
5 minutes later, it just got better.......another corner.....POW!!!! Dolly almost burst the net with one straight out of the middle of his napper. 2-0 up and we were FLYING!
Their keeper made two smart saves from your's truly, one high to his left, following great work from Russ and Andy , then one at the near post after their defender broke his waters.
With 38 minutes on the clock, the hot favourite ropey decision arrived. Fabs launched an ICBM, Andy Davey got a touch, the ball looped towards their keeper, I leapt in tandem only succeeding in knocking him into the net (a la Nat Lofthouse '58 Cup Final) ....the ball literally swam home, like a salmon going down the River Tummel (Pitlochry anyone?) Surely a free kick I thought?.....
God Bless ya Jim, you let the goal stand when 89,000 wouldn't have. Goal number 25 for the Ormskirk Oracle.
Half time 3-0 and 45 minutes of excellent football.
The Springs had the wind behind them in the 2nd half and they made the most of it, piling on the pressure. Our back four held firm, but there were some shaky moments. Andre as usual, dealt with them comfortably.
3-0 should have become 4-0 when Fabs had the chance of a lifetime but.........missed. This almost proved costly......
2 minutes later, Springs pulled a goal back, when a cross come shot, flew up from the dust and crept inside the far post.
4 minutes later, it was 3-2. A neat move down the right opened us up and their forward finished with relish from 12 yards....GULP!
Cometh the hour, cometh the $50.00 man. Fin whipped in a tidy free kick, which Brian Mac glanced off his diving bonce and into the corner of the net....4-2 and that was that.
So, the scene is now set for the big one....Ellerslie at Bledisloe Park...1.00pm Saturday 13th September. Only a win will do.
Many thanks to Jim for doing an excellent job today (truly!) and to our supporters for their encouragement.
Finally.....as the 10th grade Sun Strikers season has now concluded, I'd like to say a huge thanks to Russell Whiter and Anne Boulton. Russell has been a great coach to the bairns and Anne has been wonderful co-ordinating the show (despite being the butt of at least a dozen of my wind ups, which she stumbled into every one!) They have both been MAGIC!
It's been a real treat this year,playing and watching the best game in the world, in the best town in the best country in the world,
And life don't get too much better than that.