Firing on all cylinders as skipper sets sail
Selwyn 1 V Methven F.C 8
At the seasons midway point the Mountaineers approached the match against Selwyn looking to maintain their fine form and title aspirations.
Although the sun was out, the temperature was cold and the pitch could not be anymore boggy if it tried; with sticky mud patches and goalmouth puddles, reminiscent of no mans land.
Despite the conditions Methven started brightly and quickly took control of the game. The ever reliable Jan Luccini made his return from injury and was back in the goals when Angus found him in the box and the midfielder instinctively despatched his low drive into the bottom corner, 0-1. The momentum was now very much with Methven as within moments of the restart, they were up the field again and this time it was Posa who played in Brazilian sensation Torres unmarked in the box. He twisted and turned the defence to create enough space to slot his effort to the left of the keeper, 0-2.
The visitors continued to probe for more goals and their defensive line were rarely threatened. Angus worked hard as the lone striker and held up the play well for the midfield to flourish. It was his lovely headed flick on that lead to the third, releasing Torres through on goal, getting his second of the match with ease, 0-3 and halftime.
The second half begun with Luccini on fire and the wind very much in his sails. He supplied the cross to the back post looking for the head of Khabu but before he could make his connection the defender got there first and agonisingly for him, put the ball into his own net, 0-4.
In a flash it was 5 with Hugo weaving the ball through 2 defenders, coming in from the wide right, across the edge of the box. As if with telepathic skills he back healed the ball to the emerging Luccini, who hit the ball first time towards the goal. A slight deflection was enough to allude the rooted keeper and the ball landed comfortably in the net, 0-5.
The Methven midfield were a delight to watch for the onlooking spectators with scintillating one touch pass and move, leaving Selwyn chasing shadows. The next goal believe it or not was to be a howler from the goalkeeper as he misjudged Luccini's through ball, running past it and leaving Smith to tap in probably the easiest goal of his career, into an empty net, 0-6.
Methven by now had a strong foothold on the game, which really said something on this slippery terrain. Luccini again pulling the strings in the heart of midfield put Khabu through, beating the offside trap and then the keeper to make it 0-7.
A moment of madness from the away side resulted in a consolation goal for Selwyn as they seemingly strolled through the team with their best move of the game, 1-7. Youngster Darcey Taylor decided to join the party late on, bringing the foie gras to the already generously packed picnic; with a fine strike from the edge of the box, 1-8.
With the game seemingly all in hand, skipper Jason Moore expected 'moore' goals from his lads. This was to be his last appearance in a Methven shirt before he makes the long journey back to his homeland.
The match concluded and another flamboyant 3 points for Methven to take home.
Methven go again against Coastal Spirit Presidents on Saturday 2nd June, 2:30pm kick off at Methven domain.
Other scores:
F.C. Twenty 11 Dads Army 4 V Methven Reserves 4
Halswell 2 V Methven 15th grade 5
Methven 13th grade 4 V Hurunui 2