BNU Thirds 0-1 Lower Hutt Ancient Ones - 06/6/09

"…all we want is a decent referee…a decent referee…a decent referee"

Supporting the BNU Brazilians (or Thirds as we call ourselves to avoid slander lawsuits from the Brazilian FA) is fast becoming on a par with supporting the Phoenix.  We only have one player who can score goals, a terrible home record and no hope of winning any silverware; the other similarity is the loyal BNU Fever (i.e. Jenny H) can often be heard chanting "all we want is a decent referee".

This game was no different, the only goal of the game coming from a deflected shot looping to their striker who was conspicuously all alone in the area and managed to get a uncontested header to find the back of the net.  The ref only decided to start playing off-sides late into the second half and judging by some of those decisions he needs a new pair of shades ( a ref that wears dark glasses is just too perfect).

Generally speaking though this was a much improved performance to recent games, and after losing the corresponding away fixture to Lower Hutt 5-1, there are encouraging signs to take into the upcoming round of games that will give us the opportunity to take points off those teams around us in an increasingly tight lower half of the league.

Ants, Keagan & Kev Dickins combined well on a few occasions to give us some headway down the right hand side, and Zouchie finished a free flowing move with a shot from distance that just sailed over a bar. Not being able to create any clear cut chances from long(ish) spells of possession and free kicks in good positions ultimately cost us the chance for any points out of this game. All that and the lanky goalkeeper who somehow got his hands on to my shot destined for the bottom corner. Just our luck that Lower Hutt had drafted in a certain Mr. Tickle to fill in for their regular keeper.  Capital Soccer are busy as we speak checking that Tickle is a fully paid up, registered player for Lower Hutt.

Three games without a point to show for it, means the up and coming derby against Island Bay is fast becoming a must win, but I’m confident….just as long as we get a decent referee.

Nigel Moore