I've skimmed the above.
Here's my views:
1. It was great to see Kiwitea Street again. I used to live a couple of blocks away (Haverstock Road - across Sandringham Road) back in 1998/99 and went along to Central's games regularly then. It was especially great to see the place so full.
2. It was great to see a bunch of old friends. Nick, Rich, Mike, Alan Nola and Jeff Hayward and some of the other Kiwitea Street faithful like Arthur, Gordon etc.
3. It was great to see a Kingz shirt, and even greater to see the numbers of Nix shirts on display. Nice to catch up with Kerry at 'her place' too. Likewise with Mr. Harper.
I thought the WeeNix played outstyandingly well, and that the Navy Blues were a bit flat, particularly early in the first half. Not surprising having come from such a massive peak, and then had time off over Christmas and New Year. If they were ever going to be there for the hangover picking, this was it.
I agree that Di Mario had his best game I've seen him play. I disagree slightly with JV's "...and never let Tade get a good look all day" That's a bit geneorus. In the first 15 minutes Tade skinned him badly a couple of times... but after that, Di Mario really stood tall. Time and time again he sheparded Tade wide or to the by line, and time and time again Tade tried to cut back inside and time and time again Di Mario took the ball off him, rounded out near the by line and into space and played the ball forwards. He was immense.
Speaking of immense:
a) Sail was outstanding, particularly in the first half where he pulled of 3 great saves that were goal bound.
b) Rufer (in particular) and Ridenton, Stevens and Blake really played well going forwards. Obviously Nati Hailemariam was a standout with his finishing. He and Stevens on the left and Blake on the right looked very threatening. Going forward it was the best performance I've seen from the WeeNix.
c) JBS lead the back line with aplomb. Doyle shut de Vries down especially effectively. His performance on de Vries was almost as good as Di Mario's on Tade. Gulley's efforts alongside JBS were heroic as well.
I thought the biggest problem in the first half for ACFC was their midfield got sucked too far forward on attack. Thus, when the WeeNix shut them down, Rufer in particular, but also Blake, Riddenton, Gulley and Doyle at times broke into vast open areas in the middle of the park and could just push forward unopposed. ACFC adjusted after half an hour, and this was less of an issue after that.
Oh, and the word I got in the clubrooms is that there are four ACFC players exiting during the transfer window, so they are going to need to do some rebuilding.