Match report: Olé 1 0-0 Wellington Phoenix Yellow
Olé 1 and Wellington Phoenix Yellow played out a tense goalless draw in chilly conditions on Sunday night, with both sides sticking to their respective styles.
Olé were set up in their characteristic 4-3-3 as they sought to play the ball up, while the Phoenix likewise stuck to a policy of countering on the break. Yet their strategies worked for neither as both goalies would leave with sheets unspoiled.
It’s not that there weren’t chances - Olé attacker Blake Inder could have scored had he not tried a mid air sideways shot, Nix striker Mick Reip forced a good save out of Logan Kinajic-Moran, and Louis Thomas was a constant menace.
Olé maybe deserved the win by just a smidgen, but ultimately the point each side will take away is fair.
The pivotal moment:
Soon after the second half started, one of Olé’s staple long balls set Inder off and running. His drive down the right hand side of the pitch would scatter the defence but his strike, however, clattered off the post sending the upright shaking. It was a moment of pure frustration for Olé as the scores stayed level.
The stars:
Phoenix Yellow - Jack Carter The youngster was a monster at center back, and probably can claim significant credit for his side’s clean sheet. So often an opposition attack would fizzle out following his vital interception or clearance as Carter led the Nix defence with vigour.
Olé 1 - Louis Thomas Everything went through the right winger. Most of Olé’s attacks which weren’t stopped by Carter were thanks to Thomas, and the pacey forward had the second-best chance of the game when he robbed Nix fullback Sebastian Barton-Ginger. Laying the ball off was his only mistake as it was that which resulted in the attack losing steam.
The comments:
Jack Carter, Phoenix defender - “Probably a deserved result. Conditions were quite slippery, but we put in a good shift and it’s all deserved in the end. As for me, I like to lead the team from the back and help them throughout the game.”
Mikey Faber, Olé defender - “Pretty good game, and I think the team had a fair bit of growth. A lot of young guns on the field, so it was good to see them step up to the challenge. Possession wise, we had a lot of it but could have made more of it.”
The bad boys:
Yellow card - Bikhainu Taye (Olé 2), Jared Egcinton (Phoenix Yellow)
The meaning: Team Wellington Youth will be celebrating - this draw coupled with their win over Phoenix Black puts them top of the ladder with a game in hand. The Youth are on nine points, whilst Olé 2 and Phoenix Yellow stumble their way to five and four points respectively.
The future: Olé 1 will try to bridge the gap between them and the Team Welly Youth next week, while the Nix will try their luck against Olé 1’s local counterparts. Both games are at Olé on Sunday the 15th of November.
The rest:
Team Wellington Youth 4-1 Wellington Phoenix Black
Olé 2 6-3 Team Wellington Academy
