Youngheart

Manawatu will be looking for a new reserve keeper. Andrew Bailey has secured a scholarship to a US University so will be off soon.

Hey Zisou, how did last night go? I almost came along. Might have to meet up at next home game.

According to last nights paper, this Saturdays game is at the earlier time of 1pm.

4-0 .. how did that happen?

Canterbury had a player sent off with about 10 minutes of the 1st half to go for handball. The resulting penalty made it 3-0 to Manawatu at the break.

I would have though about 500 crowd.  Drizzly day in Palmy, but was still light enough and warm enough to watch in t-shirt shorts and jandals in the open.

Was a great save by the Red carded Cantab, but I still think it was going over anyway.

NZP Youngheat Manawatu 2 Otago 0. Saralegui scored the first in the first half, Hayne scored the second in the second half. Thought the game was a bit scrappy not as free flowing as the previous Manawatu games. Sale had a good game in defense

My thoughts on the last couple of games.

Well well, a 2nd half performance full of character and desire against the Bay. The 1st half not quite so great but when Gus scored just before halftime I thought we were well up for it. I had the feeling a one goal lead wouldn't be enough for HB and so it proved. Another great YHM comeback at Park Island for the history books.

Sounds like we were hardly in it vs Auckland. Still no Park and now no Hayne either. Has he left for good or will he be back after his trial in Brunei?

Just for Agent 47 I changed my signature at last. To the tune of that Irish Rovers classic "The Unicorn Song"

Like it mate. Class. 

A valuable 3 points gained against Waikato who showed why they are challenging for a play off spot. Must say though that had it not been for the Waikato keeper, Manawatu would have had a more comfortable victory. He was outstanding.

Whats the latest on Haynes?

 http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4849484a6409.html

Phew!!! The end to the Waikto match was worse for my heart rate than the Hawkes Bay game. Having created umpteen scoring opprtunities and playing vs 10 men we completely lost our composure in the last 20 minutes. That said we scrambled and battled and got the vital win. You need a bit of luck to go your way sometimes. Thought the penalty award was a soft one (I'm not biased!) Waikato played quite well under the circumstances without threatening much until that last 20.

When they played 2 weeks ago in Auckland, the game was relatively clean, no lump kicking at all.

Jason Hayne will be playing against Auckland this Saturday which is good as Cory Chettleburgh is suspended. I'd be happy with a draw.

Don't know if my heart rate can take much more of this!! 3rd match I've been to recently where the points could have gone either way right till the very end. Auckland had us under the kosh for most of the 2nd half. That said Hayne and Maemae had good chances late on to snatch all the points for us. Sets it up for a massive final weekend. I expect to get another cardiovascular workout!

Yeah that second half was hard to watch. Thank goodness for Chris Marsh. We played like we were defending a 1-0 lead. I wouldn't have felt so bad if Auckland had nicked as they probably almost deserved it. We looked the better team in the first half.

Well Gooner, you missed a cracker! 2 superbly created and scored goals and a raft of other good chances and near misses. 2-0 up only to get pegged back all too quickly by Waitak. Entertaining football by both teams and few fouls. Thought we had a penalty late in the game when Hayne was brought down but the ref gave a freekick on the edge of the box instead. Otherwise I thought he refereed pretty well.

Work has conspired against me every weekend to not be able to see Youngheart so far this season and it sounds like I'm missing out big time! Next time I get a chance I'll be straight over there quick as a flash.

YHM smash Auckland City in today's play off game. Score 3-1

Really ?  Nice.

That will make it interesting as to which game they show on telly next weekend.

Well I finally got to a Youngheart game and how glad am I. One of the best performances I have ever seen. Spent most of the 2nd half with 9 men (Gustavo got sent off in the first half then Raf did early on in the 2nd half). Gustavo scored a brilliant goal from half-way spotting Spoonley off his line. Hayne scored a screamer from the edge of the area to make it 3-1 after earlier on scoring a diving header after Gustavo hit the bar. We were a little nervous in the opening minutes but bossed them most of 1st half and until we got Raf sent off in the 2nd half. Atmosphere was great at Memorial Park. Jason Hayne for the Phoenix! Was also impressed with Vicelich, that guy is class. 

Also my first Youngheart game after recentlymoving to the Palmers-tron. Agree with most of what you say there Willy... very impressive in the first half, and were it not for two moments of silliness reducing Youngheart to nine men then I think they could have had a few more, they were that impressive in the first half. Unfortunately if you're already on a yellow card you should (a) not take off your shirt when you score a goal or argue at length with the referee... But that said some nice passages of play, two outstanding individual efforts from Gustavo and Hayne, and a very committed defensive effort when down to nine men. Sure a few lucky breaks as well, but you couldn't deny Youngheart them really. Bring on next week. 

Game of the season by far and what a great crowd. I decided to sit in the sun for the first time and am paying for it today with a touch of sunburn. On the plus side, I was right in line when Hayne scored the 3rd goal. What a strike.

rumour has it that Raf called the ref a cheat. Guaranteed red card, even though the ref WAS a cheat

I hope Spoonley is playing in the 2nd leg. He is cr*p.