The Fencibles Summer Senior Seven aside tournament commenced in November 2011.
Game Times 6.00pm 6.45pm 7.30pm
Entry forms and rules are available from Danna Mandry, entries close 7 October.
0274 845 443 or secretary@fencibles.org.nz
Fencibles AFF Division 1 team finished the season as runners up in the AFF Division 1 league after a 10 - 0 romp against Otahuhu at Seaside . A great season saw Fencibles end up with the highest goal tally in the league with 54 goals, and at the same time they conceded the fewest goals of any club in the division, 14 in 18 games.
The game at Seaside park was a one sided affair with Fencibles spending the majority of the game in Otahuhus half. Kevin Thys bagged 6 with Nick Andrews scoring the other 4.
The team are looking for ward to next season where they want to do even better.
A clear sunny bright day saw Fencibles host Bucklands Beach at Riverhills field of dreams, better known as pitch 3. Fencies knew this was a game vital to win to keep their grip on the league title as they headed into the second half of the season.
After a long time out with injury Robbie Edwards make his second appearance at left back and the Sean Iceton was determined to keep the team focused for the 90 minutes. Fencibles had the early pressure and Nick Andrews soon had two headers on the goal. Bucklands Beach looked bright and were showing some good crisp passing that retained ball possession and gave them equal share of possession. A wide ball out to the left saw Bucklands Beach give away a foul deep in their half. Matt Walsh stepped up and floated a great ball into the penalty box where Kevin Thys powered a header into the back of the net, with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Fencibles celebrations didn’t last long as within 60 seconds of the kick off Bucklands Beach had equalised with a header into the Fencibles goal from a free kick near the half way line. 1-1.
Bucklands Beach confidence was growing and they troubled Fencibles with neat 1-2s and good passing. However Nick Andrews was in good form and continued to trouble the Bucklands defence with his pacey runs. A poor tackle saw Nick upended in the box and the ref pointed to the spot for a penalty. Jeff Andrews smashed it into the net for a 2-1 lead.
Ten minutes later Kevin Thys burst into the box and took on the keeper, side stepping him as he dived to the ground and Fencibles were 3-1 up.
Bucklands beach re grouped at half time and took the game to Fencibles for most of the second half. Some dogged defending and committed playing saw Fencibles hold out against a good Buckland team, who despite continued pressure didn’t really look like scoring. Sean Iceton lead by example by giving 110% himself, and demanding 110% from everyone else to give their all, and then some more, to stop Bucklands Beach getting back in the game. When the final whistle finally went Fencies were just glad to get this game won and 3 more points.
Team- Adams, Edwards , (McHale) J.Andrews, Iceton,Armstrong ,Quill, Walsh, ( Hao) Higg, ,Thys, N.Andrews
Seasons scorers
Thys 12, N. Andrews 11, J Andrews 4, Jones 2,Quill 1, Walsh 1.
This second round game was the biggest game of the season so far with 2nd place Fencibles travelling to Keith Hay Park to take on first Place 3 Kings. Earlier in the season Fencibles suffered their seasons first lose against 3 Kings and so were looking forward to returning the favour.
And what a start Fencibles made, taking the game to 3 Kings from the refs whistle to start the game. An early free kick saw Jamie Begg go close with a header. Three or four corners were taken in quick succession and saw Fencibles camped in 3 Kings half. Big performances by Andrews and Begg in midfield saw them dominating possession. Any counter attack by 3 Kings saw a determined Fencies back four quickly stop the attack and a good passing game saw much of the game played on the ground rather than in the air. 3 Kings defended well and whilst not doing too much on attack were resolutely holding out Fencibles attacking moves. More dominance by Fencibles saw the first 30 minutes of the game played in one direction, towards the 3 Kings goal.
Then a long ball was played over Fencibles back 4 and a deep run from midfield by the centre forward saw the 3 Kings striker slot the ball into the Fencibles net. That was followed by a great volley from a corner by the same striker to see 3 Kings 2 -0 up and Fencibles were in shock. Half time came and the team couldn’t believe how they had completely dominated the game but were the wrong side of the scoreline. A rousing and vitriolic captains talk at half time told the team to believe in themselves and the goals will come.
And that’s what happened. Kevin Thys determination saw him nick a goal by the post and Fencies were back in the game. More balls were played to the wings and 3 Kings were struggling to stay in the game. They were just happy to clear their lines with the big boot but Fencies were on their game and kept up the pressure. And then with minutes to go a shot at goal saw the ball rebound off the bar and Chris Quill was there to calmly put it under the keeper and into the net. 2-2 and Fencibles thoroughly deserved the point won.
The result kept Fencibles title hopes alive and looking forward to their next game against South Auckland Rangers at Bill Mckinley Park.
Team- Adams, Edwards , Thurston, Iceton, Armstrong , Walsh, Andrews, Higg, Hao(Quill)Thys, N.Andrews ( O Sullivan)
Scorers - Thys, Quill.
