Match Reports

2011 Season Match Reports.

Bulldogs 4 Aquinas 3.

On Sunday 17th of April we had our second friendly game against Aquinas College. Last year we played Aquinas College , it was a walk in the park, but they had some new players from Papamoa, Waipuna and other clubs. So it was not going to be easy to win this game.

The Bulldogs started off well, we were one nill in the first third, and two nill up into the second third, but then Aquinas scored twice to make it two all. We were losing our composure and feeling the pressure.

Late into the second third an Aquinas player sprigged our goal keeper in the knee and I had to take his position, but not for long because the second third had ended, in the last third we manged to score two goals, winning the game for the Bulldogs. The score was four/ three to the Bulldogs.

Scorers - Zak, Harry (2), Cameron. By Fergus.

On Sunday 01 May the Bulldogs played in a mini tournament at Pemberton Park. There were three teams; Waipuna, Blue Rovers 2^ndteam, the Eagles and us.

Our first match was a tough game against Waipuna which we ended up winning 1-0. Zak was the only goal scorer with a good shot from the edge of the box although we would have won by more but the goal keeper made some terrific saves.

In our second match against the Eagles we led 1-0 at half time with a goal from Jake Peters. We played much better in the second half adding another two goals from Cameron and Harry, to win 3-0.

In the third match Waipuna beat the Eagles. By Matty.

Sat 07th May.

Bulldogs 4 Waipuna 1.

On Saturday the 7th of May the Bulldogs had their first real game of the season against Waipuna. The Bulldogs did some things good

and some things very average, but it was the beginning of the season and we had a lot of room for improvement. The goals were scored

by Matty Cameron, Zac and Harry the score in the end was 4 ,1 to the Bulldogs. A good three points for the first game of the season.

From Fergus

Bulldogs v Otumoetai Gunners 14th May

Today was going to be a big test against one of the strong teams in our competition, the top Otumoetai team. It was an away game but we thought we had a good chance of a win.

It turned out to be a great game that was keenly and evenly contested. The play flowed from end to end. Cameron contested well up front taking a snap shot from outside the penalty area with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar and oh so close to the opening goal. But the Gunners finally scored first after a cross from the right found their striker in front of our goal.

The second half gave us the advantage of an increasing wind at our backs and we built pressure that was rewarded with a thru ball that Jake Peters ran onto and struck low into the left corner. The Gunners were looking rattled and we thought we had the winning of the game but their striker’s jinking run through our defence saw us fall behind again only two minutes later. This was repeated 10 minutes from the end and despite looking likely and hitting the crossbar and upright twice more the Bulldogs couldn’t narrow the score going down 3-1, a score that didn’t reflect how close the teams were over 70 minutes of great football. In a game where every player gave their best the player of the day certificates went to Cameron and Daniel.

By Cameron.

Bulldogs 4 Hearts 3. 21st of May.

9:00 o'clock on a great day for a game of Football, the Bulldogs gatherd around the coaches on the pitch for a few more words of encouragement against our rivals, the Mount Hearts.

The whistle blew and for 10 straight minutes the mighty Bulldogs were constantly putting pressure on the Mount Hearts keeper. After 10 minutes the Bulldogs were 1-0 up with a cool clean strike from Jake Raybould which put the heads of the Hearts down, even though we were one up, the Hearts didn't fall apart. The Hearts came back and for the rest of the half the Hearts played great 'passing and moving' Football which took our team apart, and soon enough the score was 1-1.

Half time parted the teams to their coaches for substitutes and tactics, but the 5 minutes was up and the whistle went for the second half but the Hearts played even more passing and moving Football which soon put them 2-1 then 3-1 up which sent the Bulldogs searching for the goals they needed but with 10 minutes to go Cameron had a 'one on one' and with ease slotted the ball past the keeper and another late finish in the penalty box from Harry with 5 minutes to go, the Bulldogs were ready for a draw but no, with three minutes to go Harry takes a corner that flies over the heads of the oncoming Bulldogs and Fergus gives chase and sends in a whipping ball that went through the defence and onto Harry's head which goes accurately into the bottom corner and Harry scored the winner for the dogs.

By Harry.

Bulldogs 1 Bethlehem College 3, Sat 28th May

8.30 kickoff on a fine Saturday morning, and everybody is keen for a great game of football.

The ref blew the whistle and our three strikers started the game off for us. After about 15 minutes BC scored the first goal, and that gave them a bit of momentum through this half. They seamed quicker to the ball which resulted in another goal to them this half.

In the second half we slipped past their defence and Fergus scored us a goal.

That goal lifted our heads up higher and made me go harder, but they managed to score yet again, so it was not to be for the bulldogs on Sat 28th may

Final score BC 3 Bulldogs 1

Player of the day Matt N

4^th June 9.00 a.m on a windy Saturday everybody keen for the match against the Eagels the second premier blue rovers team. We needed to winning ways after last weeks dissapointing loss against BC.The whistle blew and after about quarter an hour of the game we were leading 3-0. The whole team was playing some nice football passing and moving creating a lot of chances. With half time approaching we were leading 6-0 and with the last kick of the half we scored again making it 7-0 to us.

At half time the coaches were very plesed with our perfrmance so far.

As the ref blew the whistle to start the second half.We wanted to carry on were we left off. We were still playing nice attacking football but didnt convert our chances.But we did manage to score 3 more goals in the last part of the second half.It was nice to see reece back playing and on the score sheet.

Scorers: Cameron (5), Harry (2), Zac (1),Cailum (1) and Reece (1).

Final score Bulldogs 10 Eagles 0

By Matt H

11th June. Te Puke 0 Blue Rovers 5.

Hey guys Ryan here,
Well what a game on Saturday the 11th of June. 2:30 min in and the mighty Harry Coulson works his magic scoring a lovely goal straight form the word go. Then 15 minutes later the legendary Zac Philips takes a shot from the edge of the box. The ball soared high past the keepers hands and arced into the back of the net. Then two minutes later the Bulldogs idiotic captian (Ryan McKee) went for a drop kick attempt at goal and successfully failed and completely missed the ball. He then took a shot with his left foot and sent the ball into the back of the net. Another 2 minutes later the one and only Harry Coulson sent another one of his unmissable shots into the back of the net, he was on fire. The Bulldogs then relaxed into a comfortable lead, constantly testing Te Puke,s defence but were denied a goal. In the 27th minute one of the lovely crosses Harry had been putting in for the strickers all match, was put into the back of the net off a corner. The culprit was the captain and it was headered into the back of the net. The first half continued with no more goals but it was still a constant stream of pressure on Te Puke's keeper and defence. Going into half time the Blue Rovers Bulldogs where 5-0 up on the Te Puke Storm. The whole team where playing for each other, giving and going, one two's, passing with accuracy and taking shots when they had the chance. The second half was uneventful. We where no longer playing with a whole pitch instead, restricting ourselves to only 3/4's of the pitch. Also the defence seemed to lack confidence and backed off the Te Puke attack. All in all a good game and the first half was the best football I think we have played all season and that we should strive to play like that in future.

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT!!!!!!
Ryan your captain signing out.

18 June 2011

Bulldogs 1-0 Otumoetai Dragons

It was a stormy night which made most fields unplayable and we were lucky to play.
But thankfully our pitch was good to play on and everything was ready to go.
We were opening out and switching play which was good and half way through the first half
Cameron slotted a great goal in the corner from in the box.
Sam saved us a couple of times, tackling their wingers and trying to get it up field.
We could've taken more shots and scored a few more goals but overall it was a good match.

From Zak :)

25th June Bulldogs 2 Papamoa Stingrays 1

On a cold windy morning we are all geared up to vs papanoa stingrays the team I played for for the last 6 yrs

As we are warming up it comes to my attention captain fantastic ryan is absent.

Luckily we have sam and zack to fill the centre positions.

The game kicks off and we are playing some nice 2 touch football, then they score the goal against run of play maybe due to us slightly swithcing off.

But we rolled our sleves up and all battled hard for each other and deservedly equalised.

The second half started quite scrappy but with Fergus and Calem starting to boss the midfeild we took control again.

Then Fergus got the deserved winning goal.

It was a great win for myself as i dreaded having to face my old team mates monday at school.

Thanks guys and lets keep up the tackling and battling for the rest of the season :) .

RAB

On Saturday 2nd of July we had our first official game against Aquinas on their home grounds.Conditions were near perfect with not a cloud in the sky but the ground was a little soft under foot.Having Fergus and Harry out was always going to be a bit of a challenge.The team knew that we all had to step up to the plate if we were going to come out on top.

First half we played into the sun and could have done with my Dad's Raybans.The defense was pretty good from both sides and had a few attacking moments with Cameron and JP but unfortunately just did n't find the back of the net.

Second half l moved from left back to left wing and really enjoyed being up front .The Bulldogs stepped up the intensity and started taking more control of the game.We used the ball more positively and camped in their half for 80% of the time.We had two corners but just over cooked them slightly.We just didn't connect the ball properly and the weak shots just keep on coming.

There was a turn of play from Aquinas and Matthew put in the save of the season and saved our butts. Well done Matthew !. The whistle blew and it was the end of a tough game. Well done team.

On the way back to the car l said to my Dad that l could have kicked myself for missing that goal. He said you better let me do it ,cause you might miss again!

Final score Bulldogs 0 Aquinas 0

By Brett Yeatman

On Saturday 9th July we had our first game of the second half of the season against Waipuna Athletic on their home ground. The whole team arrived on time and raring to have a great game. The first half started with a fiery Bulldogs side ripping through the Waipuna defence but were unable to slot any in the back of the goal. 20 mins went fast with the score still nil all. Then we got a corner which Harry calmly took. The ball looped up and came down straight on Callum’s head which he slotted straight into the back of the goal. 1-0 up and the Bulldogs finally had a smile on their faces . After missing a right foot attempt at goal Reece (me) got a fabulous opportunity to score on his left foot and he did! just chipping it out of the keepers reach. The second half didn’t reach high expectations and the coaches weren’t very happy . Waipuna clinched a goal back in the dying minutes but it was too late. The Bulldogs winning and getting a valuable 3 points. Blue Rover Bulldogs - 2 Waipuna Athletic – 1.

BY REECE THOMPSON – PLAYER OF THE DAY .

16.7.2011

Bulldogs VS Gunners

The pitch was heavily frosted and that made the groung very hard and COLD.
The game started with a hiss and a Raw, The Bulldogs going into the game unbeaten at home.
The first goal came half way through the first half to the Gunners with a corner that blue just seemed to stand and watch. The second goal came soon after the first. At half time the coaches told us that we need to compete more for the ball and stop watching them play Football. The second half was allot better with blue kepping the ball for allot longer. And after some hard work Jake peters scored a one on one with the Keeper. That made the score 2-1 to the gunners. With only 5 or so minutes to play we managed to gain a penalty from a elbow into the back in the box that Harry nailed into the back of the net. The final wistle blew the final score 2 each.
From Daniel

Sat 6th August

It was a fine and cold Saturday morning and we were ready to play Mt Hearts on their home ground.

The game got off to a good start, but we started to give them space and that led to a goal in the back of the net for them. We didnt have enough urgency and could not shut them down. Hearts kept up their passing and footwork and out skilled us which led to another goal for them.

At half time we had our talk and were ready to go out there and give it our best. We managed to keep the ball away from our end of the pitch and towards the end of the game Camerom got a break away ball and drove it onto the net for us. Well done Cameron

The final score was 2-1 to the Mt Hearts

Player of the day Matt N

Acheivement award to Fergus

By Matt N

13th August 2011 (Bulldogs v Bethlehem College)

"Revenge is sweet".

After losing to Bethlehem in the first round, we made sure we were not going to be beaten second time around. However, within seconds from kick off, BC scored a lucky goal from a corner that reflected off our goalkeeper into the back of the net.

A minute later Reece ran on to the ball and crossed it in to the box for Cameron to make the score level. We then took the lead when Harry crossed the ball in and went thru 2 players legs where Jake P was running in to strike the ball into the bottom corner.Another 2 goals from Calem followed with a stunning one from a corner curling a bullet shot into the roof of the net giving their keeper no chance.

2nd half we lost our focus but still managed to steam ahead with a further 2 goals from Cameron and JP.

Final score 6-2, with 2 goals a piece by Cameron, Calem and Jake P.

By Jake Peters.

27th August 2011 Bulldogs 6 Te Puke 2.

On a crisp winters morning at Pemberton Park, the Bulldogs were set to dominate this game but Te Puke had other ideas by bagging an early goal to anger the dogs but strengthen the storm.

The dogs battled harder and harder and after a while Cameron settles the score 1-1.

The dogs passing and moving was getting better and better which tore apart the storms defence which saw Brett fire a long range missile through the keepers legs and into the back of the net.

2-1 and Te Pukes players started slacking which let the dogs run rings around the defence of the decreasing storm.

Second half and Blue started on fire with cameron taking a corner which landed straight on the head of Fergus to make it 3-1 and then 4-1 with Reece another flukey long range hit by Harry and a low penalty from Harry seals the win for the Bulldogs.

Player of the day, Harry.

4th September Dragons 1 Bulldogs 3.

On Saturday the 4th of September we assembled at Ferguson park ready for a big game of football against the Otumoetai Dragons, who were currently bottom of the table. Last time we played the Dragons we only won , one nil, so we were ready for a big game of football.

We started off with a very average warm up and we were not completely switched on, or looking ready to play.It showed after a shocking first half, with the scores drawn at one all. Throughout the whole game Bulldogs were not playing as a team, meeting the ball on the full, nor were we playing constructive football. In the end after a messy game we snatched victory with a 3-1 win. Hopefully there is a big improvement next week

From Fergus

On Saturday 10^th September 2011 the Bulldogs travelled to Papamoa to verse the Stingrays. If we drew or lost it would be a disaster, as we would only come third in the overall league table. If we won we could come second.

The match started off well for us, as the opposition struggled to enter our half, and shortly after half time, Cameron scored a goal. At half time the Stingrays must have been revved up by their coach, and they came back much more competitively. As the game became more even, the Stingrays stopped making mistakes and had their first few chances. They were all from corners, and the headers were all well placed, and if it wasn't for Matthew our goal keeper, our aim for second place could have been gone there and then.

When the final whistle blew, we were relieved we had hung on to claim a 1-0 victory over the Papamoa Stingrays.

by Sam