2019 Season Summary

Marlborough Exchange

The 1st XI football team had an excellent exchange with Marlborough on Tuesday. The game was played at English Park, which provided an excellent surface for both teams to show off their skills. 

The beginning half was dominated by St Bede’s with some great interplay between the boys leading to a number of goal-scoring opportunities. It wasn’t long until an excellent through ball was received by Josh John, who had some work to do with opposition defenders about to pounce, before he placed a superbly weighted shot into the bottom left corner of the goal. 

St Bede’s lost Tristan Mendoza, a pivotal mid-field player early in the half to injury, however this allowed an opportunity for wider squad members to participate in the exchange. Debutants like Riley Bhernes didn’t disappoint showing much needed aggression and passion in the tackle in the quest for possession. Liam O’Donnell also rose to the occasion. 

The momentum was with St Bede’s following the goal, but as with any match, the opposition can bounce back. The game ebbed and flowed at the beginning of the second half with St Bede’s presented with couple of goal scoring opportunities. Marlborough slowly made their way back into the game and before long placed the ball in the back of the St Bede’s net to level the score. This evened the temperament of both teams as made the game open for the win. Solid defence from Ben Whiting throughout the game continuously knocked Marlborough from attackers back into defenders. Tyler Day also played well with solid defence and fed the ball forward where possible. Marlborough pushed for a second goal almost scoring a couple of times. Finn Mounty’s keeping skills were called upon a number of times as a final resistance to their attack. 

As the clock ticked towards full time St Bede’s created a number of final opportunities. Daniel Pace was enlisted to take a number of corners. His superb weighted kicks offering St Bede’s goal scoring chances that unfortunately weren’t taken. The game ended in a 1-1 draw which was a good reflection of a well balanced match.

Mainland Football 1st XI local competition

The regular season is coming to a close for St Bede’s in the Wednesday 1st XI competition. The team has had a number of highs and negotiated a couple of lower points throughout the season. Going into Wednesday's game, St Bede’s sat just outside the top four in a possible 5th place. This was not really a true reflection of the quality football that had been played by the squad throughout the season and the close nature of most games against quality sides. 

Last week’s loss to Burnside was an example of games dominated by St Bede’s with the ‘rub of the green’ not going St Bede’s way in the final minutes of the match. This also didn’t take into account a possible deliberate handball in desperation to save St Bede’s shot at goal that may have changed the outcome of the game. 

Despite this, the boys entered into the game with Lincoln with the clear goal of winning. They were without two key players, Josh Crook and Tristan Mendoza. Once again some heroic’s from Finn Mounty swayed the game in St Bede’s favour. The final score was 1-0 to St Bede’s which placed them on even points with Papanui High in 5th equal position on the table and 6th based on goal difference. A solid finish as the competition heads into finals playoffs and we shift our preparations to Tournament Week in Taupo later in the term.

The one thing that has stood out throughout this season has been the dedication of the coaches to improve individuals and the team each week. Having watch most games this season the improvement in the teams on field strategy and football skills is a credit to the coaches, Leeaan and Ollie, and to the continued commitment of all squad members.

Some final mention of players who have stood out this season:

Josh Crook has stood out this season with incredible pace and goal scoring ability throughout a game and within the dying minutes. His blistering pace used endlessly through the season running onto through balls or just to run around the oppositions defence.

Josh John cementing his spot as striker with numerous goals throughout the season.

Daniel Pace showed consistency each week with pin-point accuracy taking penalties and goal kicks. Many of which resulted in goals for the team.

Solomon Polmare-Edwards had provided solid defence throughout the season and when the opportunity arises he makes crucial runs on attack, putting the opposition on the back foot. Nothing gets passed him and he quietly gets on with the job.

Tristan Mendoza has a huge engine to keep pushing and working the midfield. His speed and agility crucial to so many attacking plays for St Bede’s. Tristan is tenacious on defence, displacing the ball from opposition players.

Ben Whiting showed great composure, maturity and reliability this season. This provided the stability the team needed both on attack and in defence.

Liam Maynard and Malachi Tamepo were tireless workhorses in the middle ensuring the ball transitioned from the back to the strikers.

New finds of the season were Luke Ziswiler Hayton, Josh Coe, and Josh Collett, who is unfortunately is out injured.

Finn “Golden Gloves” Mounty would have to be the best keeper in the league, showing his class every game with match winning saves, with Reuben Stoffers snapping at his heels, sharing the keeping duties.

Tyler Day, Sam Reed and Riley Stirling showed the most consistent improvement in latter part of the season. All three providing solid defence and attacked flair.

Chris Hubble
Manager