All entries for November 2004

Comments from the Manager

I write this report not knowing the result of the match in week 8 (because we haven't been challenged yet, duh!) but the previous game is still fresh in my mind.

Amidst vicious rumours, spread no doubt by our opposition, on the stallion's personal relationships, the team dug deep and performed well. There were some inspiring and gutsy performances, particularly from Dave "what do you mean I don't get gloves?!" Pickles in goal and the tireless Owen "look at me I'm playing 3 different positions at once" Bellamy. Combine that with the stunning 30 yard mazy run and shot from Mr Nayfe, and yet another goal from Stez, there were definately positives to take away from the game.

As always I'm disapointed not to come away with any points, but I guess we just need to work on scoring more than the opposition, and that's something we'll concentrate on in training this week.

As a side point, due to past achievements, the mighty Stallions have received a "buy" in to the second round of the cup competition, so reserve your tickets for the match online, or visit our club shops, situated in Ashby de la Zouch, and Uxbridge Town. Hurry, tickets will sell fast!

Until next week

Come on you Stallions!

Guv'ner

: 09 Nov 2004 21:46 |  Tags: Managers Comments |  Comments (5) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Injury News

Daryl Jackson (Dislocated Arse, 6 Days)
David Pickles (Burst Blister, 3 Days)

: 09 Nov 2004 13:16 |  Tags: Team News |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Reaction to Match 4

"I heard them say 'they are shit' so I turned it right back at them by commenting to Nayfe 'so are we' "- Stephen Pond, on his banter with the opponents
"I always knew the goal was coming"- Nathaniel Christopher, on the goal he always knew was coming.
"He's nimble like a fox"- Debbie Simcock, remarking on the vulpine nimbility of someone (presumably on their team).
"He went down like he was shot"- David Pickles, remarking on any player who Miles tackled.
"We gave 110%, and you can't ask for more than that" – Owen Bellamy commenting on the teams seemingly endless workrate.

: 09 Nov 2004 13:12 |  Tags: Match Reports |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Tardan Stallions Match 4: Stats and Facts

Tardan Stallions vs Cunning Kievs
Played 11am Tuesday 9th November 2004
Venue: Main Sports Hall
A late recall for Owen Bellamy meant we could put out a first team squad to start. It not being our favourite playing surface, a certain amount of trepidation was felt by the players. This disappeared at kick-off, with defender Nathaniel Christopher nicking the ball in midfield, turning a player, and drilling low and to the right, only to be denied by the woodwork. An encouraging first period followed, until sloppy defending conceded our first goal. The opponents took heart from that, and despite some inspired goalkeeping by David Pickles we went in at half time 5–0 down. Stephen Pond went off for Miles Dennis, and Nathaniel Christopher swapped for David Pickles in goal. After conceding 2 goals, Nathaniel Christopher swapped with Miles Dennis, and Stephen Pond came on for Daryl Jackson. A flurry of goals for the visitors took the score into double figures, and as none of the supporters were willing to take off their shoes and socks, they lost count of the score. On 52:38, Owen Bellamy played the ball left to Stephen Pond. Drilled shot bottom left of goal from left edge of area (6 yards) meant it was 4 in 4 for Pond. The game ended 10–1.
A good game all round, thanks to our opponents for realising we were to shit to bother roughing up too much, and thanks to Miles Dennis as well.

Starting Line Up:
David Pickles
Nathaniel Christopher
Daryl Jackson
Owen Bellamy [c]
Stephen Pond

Substitutes:
Miles Dennis

Goal Scorers:
Stephen Pond (1)

Man of the Match:
David Pickles – For an excellent first half in goal, and a good second half in midfield, (although he should have been in defence…) despite the handicap of a big fuck off blister on his left foot.

Attendance 3:
Laura Fricker
Eloise Moir-Ford
Debbie Simcock

In the Dugout:
Daniel Baker
Daniel O'Flynn

: 09 Nov 2004 12:49 |  Tags: Match Reports |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Baker denies back room bust up

Tardan Stallions manager Daniel Baker has poured water on rumours of a dressing room bust up between Nathaniel Christopher and Mark Hadris, as reported in The Sun. Baker dismissed the article, saying "A few words were said between the lads, but it was just a bit of banter. When you get players as passionate as the ones we have here at the Stallions, tempers are bound to get a little frayed. The press has blown it out of all proportion."
Both players were unavailable for comment.

: 09 Nov 2004 10:50 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Player Profile: Nathaniel Christopher

1. Full name: Nathaniel James Christopher
2. Date of birth: 30/05/1983
3. Home town: Coalville in Leicestershire, (but I'm from Thringstone, a village nearby.)
4. Degree Course: Mathematics
5. Height: 6'2"
6. Weight: 12 stones
7. Nicknames: Nayfe, Thanny, The Chief
8. Position: Defence
9. Squad Number: 42
10. Favourite Team: Leicester City (but have a season ticket to Sheffield Wednesday!)

: 09 Nov 2004 10:38 |  Tags: Stallion Profiles |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Team News

We've been challenged by Cunning Kievs to a match at 11am Tuesday 9th of November 2004
Venue: Main Sports Hall.

The Stallions are currently sitting 7th in the table, with the challengers in 10th.

Team news as follows:

Missing through injury:
Daniel Baker (Broken and bruised collar bone, 4–5 weeks)
Daniel O'Flynn (Scurf of the testicles, 2–3 weeks)

Missing through lectures:
Mark Hadris (Introduction to Reprobativity)

Loans in:
Debbie Simcock (From Warwick Ladies 1st and 2nds)

Trialists in:
Miles Dennis (Unattached- 1 week)

Starting line up from:
Owen Bellamy
Nathaniel Christopher
Miles Dennis
Daryl Jackson
David Pickles
Stephen Pond
Debbie Simcock

: 08 Nov 2004 13:04 |  Tags: Team News |  Comments (10) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Reaction to Match 3

"We knew there was going to be a fight on. We KNEW there was going to be a fight on."- Stephen Pond, remarking on the fight (not literally, well almost literally at times) he knew was going to be on.
"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown in to the sea. I follow the pie truck for the same reason."- Nathaniel Christopher, enigmatic as ever.
"The ironic thing about that was it was our first attack down the wing"-Dave Pickles, failing to understand the meaning of the word ironic.
"I'm humbled, we all did really well out there today."- Daryl Jackson, accepting his Man of the Match award.

: 08 Nov 2004 13:04 |  Tags: Match Reports |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Tardan Stallions Match 3: Stats and Facts

Tardan Stallions vs WW9's
Played 1.30pm Tuesday 2nd November 2004
Venue: Astro Pitch 1
Resplendent in our new kits, we walked onto Astro Pitch 1 on a misty November afternoon. The opposition didn't look like they were important Saudi Arabian officials- they were no great sheiks. Annoyingly, with a bare bones squad for the 2nd week on the trot, a victory seemed unlikely. After a disallowed goal for the visitors, after a blatent handball, they went 3 goals to the good. Then an absolute screamer from 15 yards out, caught on the volley, nestled into the top left hand corner, leaving their keeper dazed and confused. Unfortunately, when half time came, it was 1–4. After an inspiring team talk from the Captain, we went out for the second half. An initially promising spell was brought to an abrupt halt when a cynical challenge, universally condemned by kith and sundry (and I don't mean Dave Kith and Terry Sundry), injured striker Stephen Pond. Without any substitues, he was forced to play on, and the game swung in their favour, ending 1–7
A big thanks to Holly Cruise, our stand in keeper, who was willing to forgo the plesure of writing a 6000 word essay just to play football with us!

Starting Line Up:
Holly Cruise
Nathaniel Christopher [c]
Daryl Jackson
David Pickles
Stephen Pond

Substitues:
None

Goal Scorers:
Stephen Pond (1)

Man of the Match:
Daryl Jackson – Put in a lot of effort in only his second start for the stallions

Attendance 1:
Debbie Simcock

: 08 Nov 2004 13:04 |  Tags: Match Reports |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Reaction to Match 2

"He took one for the team"- Stephen Pond, remarking on how Daniel Baker took one for the team.
"He went down like he was shot."- Nathaniel Christopher, remarking on the crunching tackle on the keeper.
"I think I'm going to go to hospital now."- Daniel Baker, taking it like a man.
"If we was to beat them, I would LOVE it"- Dave Pickles
"He shouldn't have even been in the fucking area… AND ANOTHER THING…" Stephen Pond and Mark Hadris, in conversation with Eric Hardy-King, on the Dance floor in Score, Week 5.

: 08 Nov 2004 13:03 |  Tags: Match Reports |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem