How we lost

We turned up to the usual Elsdon weather of choose any 2 from freezing temperatures, howling wind and pouring rain. We were up for the game and played really well in the first half. We got some good patterns working and Ed scored a sensational goal bursting through the inside right channel to blast a sweet strike with very little back lift.

We kept up the pressure and had a few chances but could not get a second goal. They scored an excellent breakaway goal to equalise shortly before half time. At half time we spoke about the importance of marking and movement and of keeping up the intensity.

We did not play as well in the second half and gave the ball away time and time again. Our marking got sloppy and our passing became inaccurate. Rayhan made some good clearances but we failed to stick to our pattern of play. We almost scored with two minutes to play but the ball broke to our end and we failed to clear the danger on the right side of our circle and the ball rolled across for an easy winner for them in the last second of the game.

It was frustrating that they scored after the final whistle should have gone and there were a number of strange umpiring decisions but that was not what lost us the game. We did not work hard enough, our basic skills let us down and we made too many unforced errors.

We need to work harder to support each other and to pass and move like we did in the first half if we are to avoid throwing the season away.

Match Result: Wellington College Under 15A 1 - Aotea 1st XI 2