Rambling about West Auckland

If we are all Auckland

2012-01-30T22:05:00.001+13:00

how come the Council are treating us (WEST) like sh*t ?

coming soon

2011-06-09T21:05:00.000+12:00

.....

Welcome back ....

2011-03-05T00:02:00.001+13:00

Todays tip is TITCH ...

Chinese NY Tournament 2011

2011-01-28T18:38:00.002+13:00

The tournament starts this Saturday, Jan 29th.

Kick-off is about 2 pm, please try to be early.

Summer is on the cusp

2010-11-03T10:24:00.001+13:00

Look out for a family day kick about on top of Mount Albert very soon.

Takapuna

2010-08-12T00:54:00.003+12:00

This weekend, Sunday, August 15th.

The big one of the season, having not beat them since the Gregor and Adrian days.

Try and get there early 12.30ish,

as we may have to move grounds if the Girls are playing.

Should be a cracker of a game, following on from our dominant performance last week.

ALL WELCOME

Game this weekend

2010-03-26T13:37:00.001+13:00

Man Utd NZ are playing at Fort Takapuna, by Narrow Neck beach.

Sunday at 2 pm, ALL WELCOME

Chinese NY tournament 2010

2010-01-07T20:41:00.001+13:00

Okay,

first match of the tourney is Saturday, February the 6th.

Kick-off 4pm.

Be there .......

Well thats it folks, enjoy the break ...

2009-09-07T14:14:00.004+12:00

Mine will be, beach, Bob and Lion Rouge.

Norwest this Sunday

2009-09-02T16:59:00.002+12:00

Man Utd NZ to play at Huapai domain this Sunday (Sept 6th)

Kick-off is 3pm

Next game

2009-08-17T16:15:00.001+12:00

Norwest at Huapai, 30th August, 2 pm kickoff.

Then the tournament on 13th September.

Man Utd NZ vs Onehunga

2009-05-31T21:15:00.002+12:00

Well, we were lucky to get the game over before the Warriors game and the approaching storm. Other than that, not much else went right as the blues little Scotsman scored four easy goals. Mike Tull got one back, but we simply failed to keep our shape and they overwelmed us 5-1, after only leading 1-0 at half-time.

NEXT WEEK is the big one as Manchester United NZ play their 200th game.

BE THERE ...

Man Utd NZ v North Shore

2009-05-22T16:09:00.002+12:00

The New Zealand version of Manchester United took the field against North Shore at Allen Hill Stadium.
This game is quickly becoming a players favourite as North Shore, like Takapuna, are mostly ex-players and the games are played in a good spirit.
We were short once more, but as usual the team really knuckles down when you have no subs. The line up was Mike in goal, Marc, Phil, Matt (NS), Phil 2 in d, Rowan, KJ, James, Steve M in the middle and Mike T and Jan up front. The pace was full on but the United defence held together with Phil and North Shore Matt working well, and we created numerous chances up front with Rowan playing hot on the wing, but again we couldn’t put them away. Then the Shore got a fluke deflection and went one up and then they scored a classy headed goal. So we went into half-time down, for the FIRST time this season and most undeservedly because we had played some wonderful football.
The talk was all positive and when we took the field again we were on fire with shots hitting the crossbar and just missing as our wingers tore them apart and KJ waltzed down the middle, but it was our goal scoring genius Mike Tull that scored our first with a classy strikers goal, pirouetting on one foot and slamming the ball home, absolute class, then Jan thundered home another thirty yard blockbuster and it was all locked up.
Our attack was now on fire and when Mike hit the crossbar again we thought it was only a matter of time, but a tragedy was looming when the Shore winger skipped down the line, he was well covered and the lone striker also covered, then all we heard was a sickening crack and Steve Mellor covering the striker bit the dust, giving the striker a near open goal which he took. We again continued attacking but couldn’t get that vital chance and then in the dying minutes, we had a clear runaway chance and the ref blew fulltime ! (damn Norwest trick that one).

But we had played the superior football and went to the showers and bar, feeling great with our performance. Thanks to all the guys and all the generous lady supporters especially the vocal ones !!

Onehunga in two weeks and THEN we have a return game against North Shore, this is the Manchester United NZSC Sunday football teams 200th game !!! ALL PLAYERS and ex PLAYERS are most welcome.

MUFCNZSC Sunday football schedule

2009-03-23T00:34:00.002+13:00

April 19th ... Takapuna ... Taharoto rd

April 26th ... Bronson’s ... East Coast Bays

May 3rd ... Norwest ... Huapai

May 17th ... North Shore Utd ... Allen Hill Stadium

May 31st ... Onehunga ... Waikaraka

June 7th ... North Shore Utd ... Allen Hill Stad.

June 14th ... Norwest ... Huapai

June 21st ... Bronson’s ... East Coast bays

July 5th ... Onehunga ... Waikaraka

July 19th ... Norwest ... Huapai

July 26th ... Takapuna . (45) ... Taharoto road.

The Asian NY Final

2009-02-04T13:03:00.007+13:00

The day started off promising some cloud, but by 11.30 am the sun was out again as the Man Utd NZ team took on the challenge of the Asian New Year Tournament at Margaret Griffin Park.

A large squad of players and family turned up for the game against China, the second final in a row for United. The attendees were Garry, Ricardo, Steve Millham, Steve Taylor, Steve Mellor, Ken, Marc, James, Phil, Rob, Hayden, Gareth, Mike Tull, Warren, Jan. Walter and Ron were on the injury list.

The game was extremely close for the opening twenty minutes with both sides producing close shots, but it was new guy Warren who opened the scoring after the Red Machine got a free kick on the thirty yard line. Warren has that touch of class and his shot curled away from the keeper and into the back of the net. Garry pulled off a couple of great saves and Cardiff was awesome at the back as United headed for the halftime break. After the break Steve Taylor and Warren showed their class with numerous breaks and dazzling football, the defence of Cardiff, Ricardo, James and Phil was masterful in control, led all the way by Garry’s outstanding calling. The team was really humming and it was Gareth who finally broke away on the left and sent a cracking shot into the China goal, this released the brakes and soon Warren had another and then Mike finished them off with a great shot.

The relief to finally win a big one after the last couple of years was great and everyone enjoyed themselves in the aftermatch.

Management would like to thank all the guys who turned out and all the supporters, Carrie, Anamaya, Kobe, Mel, …, Garrys missus, Ben, …, Phils missus, Jared, .., Yvonne, Katrina, James missus, and any one else I missed.
I would also like to thank Walter and Ron from Metro, with out their help we wouldn't have got to the final.

Fantastic day and a good start to the season.

Six of the originals

Practicing

Semi-final of the Asian Tournament

2009-01-27T19:39:00.000+13:00

The Manchester United NZ Supporters team took on Korea in the semi-final of the Asian New Year Tournament at Allan Wood Reserve in Mt Albert.

Only twelve lads turned up this week as the long weekend took its toll. Garry took the gloves, with Ken, Walter, Phil, Ricardo in d, James, Gareth, Hayden, Jan in the middle and Mike T, Ron Q up front with Marc observing and Steve Mellor running a line. And great support from Mel, Barbara, Phil & James missus’s and the kids.

The Koreans were led by our own KJ and proved a hard nut to crack as the Red Machine found its feet. The game was fast and hard under the unrelenting sun and a single mistake led to the first goal, unfortunately it was Korea. The heads bowed slightly but Ron Quick scored just about straight away and evened the score and then James pushed forward and hit a cannonball just before the break.

The heat was unbearable and everyone was struggling in the second half, except Walter who was awesome in defence, great calls and cracking clearing headers and then we got a break with a free kick on the thirty-five and Jan strode up and powered it into the net, to rapturous cheers, the pressure eased as we regrouped to defend a two goal lead, this of course leads to its own dangers and after several close calls we started to push forward again and it was Ron who broke thru and scored. We played out the last five minutes and shook hands with the gallant Koreans and then we headed for the beers.

A great day and thanks to all that turned up.

On holiday ...

2008-12-17T10:28:00.002+13:00

Man Utd NZ football awards

2008-10-31T21:26:00.002+13:00

Hi all,

Time to vote for your Player of the Year for the Sunday football team.

In a grandstand finish, Mike Tull just pipped Tavis for Goalscorer of the Year, with the consistent Steve Taylor third.

Well done guys and some cracking goals.

Huapai reports coming

2008-09-25T01:56:00.001+12:00

soon .......

Old Farts on Sunday

2008-08-30T01:07:00.001+12:00

Manchester United NZ take on the Takapuna Old Farts this Sunday at Taharoto Road, kick off 1 pm.

BE THERE ...

Karls 21st

2008-07-03T22:46:00.002+12:00

Sweet sweet 400

2008-06-13T00:34:00.001+12:00

The Manchester United NZ Supporters Club Sunday football team scored their 400th goal in their 4-1 demolition of a Korean team this afternoon.

Just to recap,

Cardiff scored the 50th
Troy scored the 100th
Pete scored the 150th
Pete scored the 200th
Adam scored the 250th
James scored the 300th ...(Aberdeen)
Lee scored the 350th ...(Korean)
Tavis scored the 400th

Top ten all time goal-scorers

2008-06-13T00:21:00.001+12:00

30 ... >>> Peter

25 ... >>> Wes

20 ... >>> In Taek

16 ... >>> Gareth

14 ... >>> Steve T

13 ... >>> Norwich

12 ... >>> Rob

11 ... >>> Ian B

10 ... >>> Troy C

9 .... >>> Gregor, Cardiff

MUNZ fixtures

2008-06-04T11:43:00.002+12:00

June 8th .... Korea .... 2 pm .. Mt Albert

June 15th ... Onehunga ... 2 pm .. Waikaraka park

June 22nd ... Norwest ... 2 pm .. Huapai

June 29th ... Bronsons ... 2 pm .. East Coast Bays

July 6th ... Takapuna ... 1 pm .. Taharoto Rd

July 13th ... North Shore Utd ... 2 pm .. Allen Hill Stadium

Manchester United NZ in the valley

2008-05-08T23:28:00.000+12:00

After lunch the message came thru the game was still on, it was still raining outside as it had been for days, but the message was welcome as we hadn’t played any football for a couple of weeks. On arriving at the ground the rain stopped !

The numbers were low so everyone took the field except an ailing Steve Taylor.
Old Mike was in goal, James, Phil, Marc, Ken in defence, Rowan, Hayden, Rob, Jan in the middle with Wesley and Mike up front.
Norwest when they play it straight, try to play good football, ie, pass the ball around, run into space, etc .., but the Red Machine was in great heart especially the defence, with Phil and Marc in perfect harmony controlling the centre of the back line. The game was fast paced and not quite end to end as Norwest attacked strongly and more often but the d held and Rowan on the wing and Mike Tull showed some brilliant touches, but we couldn’t get one in. So we went to halftime at nil all and the talk was all positive.
In to the second half and it all turned to custard as a defensive change was soon exposed and Steve (Oxo) is way to good to let thru and finished superbly, sliding his shot under the keeper. He may look 8 months pregnant but class is forever and two minutes later they had another when their winger got past an awful tackle and smashed it into the net, a great goal. Heads were now dropping as Norwest upped the pressure, scoring two more before Mike Tull got released and showed his striking ability, sprinting past the defence and coolly slotting the ball past the Norwest keeper, who is a higher grade Saturday goalkeeper.
So we had played very well, especially in the first half and only faltered in the second due to the defensive change and overall it was probably that we missed Steve Taylor’s nous in the middle, that we didn’t do better.
But no worries, as one wise old sage said, its only a game and we look forward to taking on Onehunga at Waikaraka Park next Sunday.

Thanks also for the support, Carrie, Anamaya, Steve T, Pip and hopefully see you all next week.

Hmmm

2008-04-24T20:17:00.004+12:00

Moved all my stuff from storage today, finally accepting life back in Tat .

Sheds not complete but close, KITSET, more like meccano, 400 screws !!!!!!!!!!

But seeing the old stereo and all those records

Wow, set up the stereo outside in the yard and just cranked it up, hearing Staight Shooter, Bad Co; some kiwi classics like Ride the rain, QC; YOU by Father Time plus others ....................

CCR, Jimi, Janis, Doors, Louis, John Hooker, Robert Johnson, Billie, the Chess collection, USA Union, WAVES, Human Instinct, oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, see ya all in a few weeks

:)

Football schedule

2008-03-18T18:13:00.002+13:00

April 6th .... Takapuna ... 1 pm ... Taharoto Rd, Taka

April 13th .... Bronsons ... 2 pm ... East Coast Bays

April 20th .... Northcote ... 11 am ... Onepoto Domain

May 4th .... Norwest ... 2 pm ... Huapai

May 11th .... Onehunga ... 2 pm ... Waikaraka park

May 25th .... North Shore Utd .. 2 pm ... Alan Hill Stadium

June 15th .... Onehunga ... 2 pm ... Waikaraka park

June 22nd .... Norwest ... 2 pm ... Huapai

June 29th .... Bronsons ... 2 pm ... East Coast Bays

July 6th .... Takapuna ... 1 pm ... Taharoto Rd

July 13th .... North Shore Utd .. 2 pm ... AH Stadium, Lake Rd

July 20th .... Onehunga ... 2 pm ... Waikaraka park

July 27th .... Northcote ... 11 am ... Onepoto domain

August .... Tournament

Oct-Nov .... Taupo

a few words from an old man

2007-12-03T01:57:00.000+13:00

Now welcome, summer, with thy sun soft,
That has this winter’s storms shaken off
And driven away the long nights black

Council elections this week

2007-10-11T00:42:00.000+13:00

REMEMBER the people that closed down the Te Atatu Sth Library and then spent mega millions on their new headquarters.

The following candidates are some of those that voted to close the library, Harvey, Dallow, Clews.

Make SURE they don't get back in.

Player of the Year

2007-09-03T12:10:00.000+12:00

Votes are required for the Manchester United NZ Player of the Year.

Ring, text or email me.

Major Changes

2007-08-15T20:20:00.000+12:00

Hi guys, major changes to the football schedule.

This Sunday (Aug 19th) game is at Ranui, kick off 11 am.

Then we will be travelling to the AGM in Devonport. All players are welcome to attend the BBQ at the AGM.

Next Sunday ( Aug 26th ) the Tournament will be played at HUAPAI, Norwest are now hosting it. Should be same four team schedule. Kick-off will be advised.

So lets beat the Sth Americans this week and onward to the Valley to take back OUR CUP.

Football schedule

2007-07-21T14:08:00.000+12:00

Right, we are down to the business end of the season.

FULL ATTENDANCE required for the remaining games.

5th August ... TAKAPUNA ... Taharoto rd ... 1 pm

19th August .. RANUI ... 2 B Confirmed ...

26th August .. RANUI TOURNAMENT .. Starling Park .. 12 pm

Change to schedule

2007-07-08T23:21:00.000+12:00

Next weeks (July 15th) game is against TAKAPUNA.

Kick off is 1 pm.

ALL WELCOME

Upcoming matches

2007-06-11T19:45:00.001+12:00

Trying desperately to get a game for June 24th and another one as well.

Otherwise, see you at Takapuna.

United at Onepoto

2007-06-11T19:45:00.000+12:00

We had a 3 - 0 lead, but it ended in a four all draw.

More detail in magazine.

Sunday football schedule

2007-05-15T14:47:00.000+12:00

May 27th ... . Northcote ... . Onepoto ... . 11 am

June 10th ... . Onehunga ... . Waikaraka ... 2pm

July 1st ... . Takapuna ... . Taharoto road . 1 pm

July 8th ... . Onehunga ... . Waikaraka park . 2 pm

July 15th ... . Northcote ... . Onepoto domain . 11 am

July 22nd ... . Norwest ... . Huapai domain . 2 pm

August 5th ... . Takapuna ... . Taharoto road . 1 pm

August 19th .. . Ranui ... . AGM . 12 pm

August 26th ... . Ranui Tournament ... . Starling park

Oct- Nov ... . Taupo ... .. Taupo

Photo shoot

2007-05-10T10:20:00.000+12:00

Holy missing laundry, batman

2007-05-02T10:32:00.000+12:00

Mega pissed at this mornings kit count.

THREE missing new jerseys

SIX missing pairs of white sole socks

FIVE missing white shorts

FIVE missing black shorts

ONE old style jersey

FOOTBALL PUMP and VALVE

So if you have any kit lying about, please to bring it back.

United at Onepoto

2007-04-30T12:53:00.000+12:00

Ain’t life strange, the Man United NZ team turned up at Onepoto on Sunday to find Northcote only had 6 players ! Rather than taking them on with our 9 !!!, we decided to wait another 5-10 minutes. Mistake, in the next few minutes three of their best players turned up.
The game was a pretty even affair and Northcote were lucky to go into halftime with a one nil lead. Jim was solid at the back for United and we welcomed backed Mark F (Finn), big Ritchie and with In Taek, Lee and Steve T connecting we had that confidence back. So in the second half we took it to the blues, with Gareth scoring an equalizer and then Jan finished off a wonderful passing move involving ½ dozen players. Then Martin, one of the better Northcote players stepped up and ran thru the United midfield and defence not once but twice and the usual chaos ensured with heaps of lip and not much action. In the midst of this the blues slipped another in, to be undeserved 2-4 winners. Once again the potential is there in our squad to play top quality football and we just need to iron out a few niggling issues to be the 2nd best team in Sunday football.
Speaking of the best, we now take on Brownsons this weekend at East Coast Bays Stadium.
Thanks to all the supporters who came out, Carrie, Anamaya, Jims missus and child, Wes’s friend and Gareths mate, who is a very handy player.

Sunday football

2007-04-24T16:51:00.000+12:00

So two draws and one loss, ain't to bad a start to the season and if the Koreans can play more than a few, then this could get really good.

Sundays performance against last years Cup winners shows how well we can play if EVERYONE gets down to it. The fact that Norwest reverted to their old style of kick and hack shows how good some of our attack was. Wesley, In Taek and his mate Lee were repeatly hacked down and the way they just jumped up and got on with it showed their class. Jim made some wonderful saves and Mike, Steve M and Lance were closing the blue attack all thru the latter part of the game. Tho, we surely missed Colly (Steve T) in the midfield, Gareth gave his all and never stopped running. In fact it was a great effort from all the guys.
So if you feel like playing a game of footy on any Sunday, give Ken, Marc or Gareth a call.

RANUI

2007-04-12T23:40:00.001+12:00

Manchester United NZ play Ranui at Starling Park this Sunday, 12pm kick off.

So get your boots out and come along for a great game of football.

Practice game

2007-04-01T19:23:00.000+12:00

The Manchester United NZ Sunday soccer team kicked off the 2007 season with a practice game against some over 35 team.

The Korean contingent was to the fore and In Taek opened the scoring with a fine goal. Then KJ and his family set the place on fire and with Steve T (Colly) also up front there were heaps of chances, KJ s boy scored the second and Rob finished off the scoring with a great penalty.

Man oh man, In Taek can just turn defences on their head and hopefully he can play more than a few games this season and KJ, who must be in his 50s was equally skilful.

So a good workout and now onward to Ranui in two weeks, APRIL 15th.

GO PLYMOUTH

2007-03-11T09:28:00.000+13:00

Wishing Jim and family all the best in tomorrows Cup match.

Inorganic !

2007-03-10T09:57:00.000+13:00

How is the bloody council, we have just had the inorganic collection week. For those new to the country, basically you throw out all your hard trash and they take it away.

This used to be about four times a year and stopped random dumping, but the council trying to save money for its massive white elephant (New Council offices) cut it back to twice a year and now once.

The flyer that came in the letter-box reads 'Please only throw out your good stuff like Tvs, computers, stoves, microwares, stereos, I Pods, etc ....' and don't throw out any bad stuff !!! Like random bits of concrete or such. And to top it off, they say any small stuff, even if its INORGANIC, should be put in rubbish bags (which you pay for) and put in the weekly collection !
Ha ha ha, clean and green, I don't think so.

Football Time Again !!!

2007-02-19T03:31:00.000+13:00

Get your boots on, footballs coming.

Some old man and his children

2007-02-13T04:40:00.000+13:00

Keep your feet up

2007-01-07T19:00:00.000+13:00

The lads are all keen to get the Sunday football under way, but I say CHILL we got eight months of footy coming, relax, have another beer and put your feet up till mid February.

We wil probably kick off with a beer-bbq-beer kick around practice.

Contact Ken, Marc or Gareth, if you are into playing some football this year.

Weekend rave

2006-11-14T19:10:00.000+13:00

Well the Kiwis really stuck to the Lions in the league on Saturday night, Argie crushed the English on Sunday morning, Ireland wasted the africans and Scotland hammered the Romanians.

Altogether a most wonderful weekend, oh yeah and Manchester United beat the Rovers.

ROLL ON THE ASHES !!!

Thats all folks

2006-09-06T00:00:00.000+12:00

Well thats it people, thanks to all the guys and gals that turned out this season. Shocking season, but we nearly got our cup back and thru all the ups and downs, there were some great goals.
You should all be thinking about the Player of the Year and the Christmas meeting. I would like a full attendance at the Christmas meeting, as it is the team prizegiving also.
Meantime, I am off up north for some Lion Red, Bob Marley and lying on the beach.

The Huapai tourney

2006-09-01T21:00:00.000+12:00

CANCELLED

the Ranui tournament

2006-08-22T18:50:00.000+12:00

Ok, the Ranui tournament is on this weekend, Sunday Aug 27th at Waitakere College grounds (don't ask, be cause I don't know why). The school is located on Rathgar Road in Ranui.
If you are coming off the N/western motorway, turn RIGHT before Pak & Save (as normal) and then take the first LEFT (Rathgar Road) and follow it till you see the college on the right hand side.
If you are coming from Henderson, up Corbans hill, LEFT into Swanson Road and then first RIGHT (Rathgar Rd) or carry on down Swanson Road and you will see the fields on your right just past the Bus depot.

Kick off is 12 pm, so I would like everybody there by 11.30, 11.45 at the latest.

The games will be 3 round robins, probably 15 mins each way and then HOPEFULLY the top 2 teams will play off in the final.

I need to know numbers, so get in touch with me as SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Man Utd NZ vs Norwest

2006-07-25T05:40:00.000+12:00

Another POOR red turnout, but an excellent game. Norwest currently lead the Sunday table and gone are the days of kicking and hacking and as the blues football fortunes have improved so has their style of play. They beat BROWNSONS last month and then last week drew with them and they also beat Takapuna, so they play as a confident team and after they scored a couple of really soft corner goals, they let rip and put another 4 on us. But the second half was totally different as Utd grabbed two early goals and held them to a couple also, so the second half was actually 2-2 ! Thanks to the guys that turned up and a lonely, cold, wet Katrina for the support.

Man Utd NZ, fixtures 2006.

2006-06-26T04:55:00.000+12:00

August 13th Northcote 11 am Onepoto Domain

August 20th Ranui TBC

August 27th Ranui TOURNAMENT

September 3rd Norwest TOURNAMENT

Playing de Blues

2006-05-22T15:08:00.000+12:00

The low numbers of United men who turned up at Huapai today didn't affect the great game of football that transpired, thanks to some red supporters from Norwest, we went ahead and played anyway as is our style and had a most enjoyable game. The Manchester Utd Reds played with determination, grit and style, esp the backline who held the raging attack of Uri, Willy and their dynamite centre forward Steve to only 2 goals in the first half, with Wesley scoring a cracker for us. Into the second half and the blue men took it to us with four good goals and only a consolation goal for us scored by a ringa. That wasn't the full story though as Wesley, Iain and Gareth all broke thru the blue defence a number of times but couldn't finish it off. The play of the Reds was truely inspiring and the goals the blues did score were only from simple mistakes on our part, tiredness and a raging blue attack. Still, they are unbeaten this season and even beat Brownsons last week, so the fact we made them work so hard was a good sign for us.

Beating the blues last year

2006-04-23T17:03:00.000+12:00

Some snaps !!! of last years Northcote game at Onepoto.

It wasn't me !

The Ranui fire

2006-02-22T09:14:00.000+13:00

As some of you may know the Ranui soccer club had their clubrooms burnt down by some local lowlife. The fact that no one lost their life is good, but the Ranui soccer and softball clubs lost all their stored gear and the clubrooms were totalled. Now normally you could expect the local council to come to the party, but this bunch of megalomaniacs are too busy building monoliths for themselves and filling in local swimming holes with concrete to worry about a couple of hard working community based sports teams, so Manchester United NZ have decided to offer our full support and energy to help out our footballing friends.

As someone wrote on one of the surviving pieces of wood, "From the ashes we will rise again", and Man Utd NZ will be helping them all the way.

Man Utd NZ, a weekend by the lake

2005-11-11T20:58:00.000+13:00

Manchester United New Zealand loose in Taupo

Well the delights of Taupo nui a Tia beckoned us once more and the beauty of the lake and majesty of the mountains is as previously described, truly inspiring.

You could tell this was gonna be a rather louder night than anticipated, anyway we soon pushed on into the town and instead of cruising all the bars, we set up shop in the ‘Cock and Bull’ and enjoyed a marvellous night of drinking, playing pool, chat and some singing. Marc lost his and Garry’s pool champion status to ‘Fast Eddie’ Carrie and she clearly showed that good technique and a clear mind will win most games.

We crawled back into the Sahara.
Absorbed bacon fat had done its job and for once I wasn’t the worst of the revellers. And now it was time for the magic of the Sahara to happen, with most of the crew rolling out of bed to saunas, spas and the hot pool, and with McDonalds and the liquor shop just out the back door, the day was away again.

We cruised up the park early, as the lads were way too keen, kicking balls around the Sahara carpark and we thought we had better go before windows break. So we lined up thus, Plymouth Jim, cigarette already rolled, in goal, Mike, Mark (Finn), Earle and Andy in defence, Karl, Gareth, Steve Taylor, Lance in the middle with Troy and Wes up front. With Ken, Marc, Andrew and Chris taking it easy on the sideline and good support from Jo, Carrie, Amber.
We started well and had a couple of close shots and the defence was in tune, with big Jim as vocal as ever, so it was unfortunate that Taupo slipped a goal in just before the whistle ( three ½ hr periods ). Into the second spell and the sheer numbers of fit young Taupo lads aided by a skilful centre half and our Matt in defence saw the score race to 4-0, then out of the red, Steve slipped thru and scored a cracking goal. The third period started and Wesley was desperately unlucky with a shot that was just over the bar, Earle was in full vocal control of the middle and Karl and Troy were pushing forward at every opportunity, but we couldn’t repeat our Cup performance and even the excellent blast around the park by Andrew could not get us another and we retired to the bar after a couple of great team photos, down but not out, by 1-6.

Well we returned to the motel for more saunas, spas and an interesting sing song in the pool. As it was Wesley’s birthday we decided to eat well in anticipation of another big night and the bbq was stoked up along with some roast chicken and bacon, and Ken and co decided on a refined curry at the local Curry House. Then it was back to the Cock and Bull for another most enjoyable night with plenty of Man Utd singalongs, more pool and the occasional drink.

The management would like to thank all the guys that played this year and the gals for the support. See you all at the Xmas Party.

Man Utd NZ, a day in the sun.

2005-09-26T15:56:00.000+12:00

Well, the Sunday football season ended on a grand note for the Manchester United New Zealand Supporters Club, with a stunning win in the West Auckland Soccer tournament held at Ranui.
On a beautiful Auckland day, the Reds smashed all comers and brought back the trophy.
While Jims performance in goal probably made the difference, the overall play was outstanding, with Wolverhampton Rob, Taek, Adam, Steve T, Troy and Karl on fire and all the team playing very much as a unit. Rob opened the scoring in the first game against the hosts Ranui and Taek closed it with a beautiful swerving run and excellent shot into the top corner of the net. On to the second game and Rob destroyed the Northcote presidents with two fine goals. Right, now for Norwest, the strongest team at the tournament, in a hard but fair match, the spoils were shared 0-0. Semi final time and we just destroyed Ranui 3-1, with a great goal from our top goalscorer Wes and two more crackers from young Taek, the men in yellow having no answer to the power of the Red army. On to final and once more the men in Red crushed the blue of Northcote, with Steve Taylor scoring in the 2nd minute and Taek finishing them off in the last 5 minutes, a superb team performance.

So roll on Taupo, for a holiday and celebration of a great Cup winning season and a kickabout with the locals.