WELLINGTON SOCCER SHOOT-OUT

The Nomads' victories over SAA Real Madrid and Pinellas Park the previous day had assured their place in the final. However they knew the final would be a very tough test against an excellent Wellington Wave Blue team they had earned a hard fought victory against only a few games earlier in the league and who had drawn with Weston who defeated them in the morning. They were not underestimating the challenge they faced.

In a weekend when England and South Africa had both reached the Rugby World Cup Final the Nomads bound into a Rugby-style pre-match huddle. They started playing against a stiff wind and initially nearly every player seemed a little phased by the occasion. Byron Wilkinson made one excellent tackle when faced with a 3 against 1 situation when it seemed certain Wellington would claim the opening goal. Wellington put together some good moves, the Nomads were a little disorganised but held on and settled into the task after this nervy start.

The Nomads' defence were holding firm and the attacking trio of Alec McKinley, Patrick Vernis and Austin Lukasik all made great runs forward and tackles back but were not able to take advantage of their passing skills on the larger pitch as they would have hoped. All in all the first half was a nervous affair and considering the Nomads hadn't got going and were playing against the wind they were quite happy to reach half-time at 0-0.

The Nomads started to get their game together in the second half and were rewarded, appropriately in a game that was going to be all about penalties, with a penalty when Austin Lukasik was bundled over. Several hands went up eagerly wanting to be given the honour of taking the kick and Coach Ivan decided to let Lukasik take on the responsibility. The nerveless assassin stepped forward and slammed home the kick much to the relief and joy of the assembled crowd - well at least about 30% of it!

The half continued along similar lines, a closely fought match between two talented footballing teams with relatively few clear chances at either end. Wellington were given a great chance to equalise when a lack on concentration on the Nomads left allowed a long, tantalizing cross to dribble right across our penalty area just evading the chasing 'keeper Blake Erdmann. As a Wellington forward joined the chase near the bye-line Erdmann failed to resist the temptation to touch the forward and the referee awarded a borderline penalty. Luckily Wellington were unable to make the most of this gift as they dragged the penalty wide of the left hand post. However the respite was relatively short-lived as a near post shot from a left wing cross was deflected onto the post by Erdmann but agonisingly rebounded onto his heel and over the line as he desperately tried to rescue it.

Wellington were now in the ascendency. Byron Wilkinson had to leave the field after a sickening blow to the head and was replaced by Sean Haymes. Both teams battled hard and the match appeared to be heading for extra time.

However the was still time for probably the most dramatic moment of the match as a Wellington striker broke from the halfway line and Erdmann retreated into his goal awaiting the inevitable strike that seemed certain to follow as soon as the striker was sure he would score. As he bore down on goal Haymes, urged on by the Nomads fans, produced amazing reserves of energy to close on the Wellington striker. As he reached the penalty spot and seemed set to score Haymes timed his tackle to perfection. Not only making a block but staying on his feet and coming away with the ball when all seemed lost.

The ref blew the final whistle and there was some confusion as to what was to happen. There was a consensus between everyone that there should be extra time and then penalties however the head referee intervened to say it had to be straight to penalties and the players on the pitch at the final whistle had to be those to take them.

The condemned five seemed to be very happy with this arrangement and battled for position in the pecking order. Goalkeeper Blake Erdmann admitted to 'just being nervous' but was told to 'be big' and that he could only be a hero which seemed to help, a bit.

Wellington won the toss to take the first kick and scored well. Lukasik struck his without a care in the World powerfully into the roof of the net. Erdmann then had his moment of destiny, staying on his feet and gleefully grabbing their second spot kick. McKinley kept his cool to slot home low to their keepers left. Wellington scored a couple more times despite some spectacular dives from Erdmann and in between Boss strode forward to slam his kick into the bottom left side netting. Haymes, the hero of the closing stages, was given the fourth kick but saw his kick rebound from the bottom left hand post and to safety to give Wellington renewed hope. The burden of expectation weighed heavily on their kicker and he dragged his kick wide of the left hand post meaning that our Captain Cauhl Cleary was left with the responsibility of winning the game with our last kick. Bertuzzelli, Wilkinson and Vernis were watching nervously from the sidelines but needn't have worried as Cleary smashed the ball to the keepers left and wild celebrations ensued. The team did a lap of honour and consoled their devastated opponents.

A great deal of credit must go to Wellington Wave for their excellent team, sporting behaviour and gracious acceptance of defeat in very unfortunate circumstances. Given the way kids are protected from losing by trying to give everyone trophies for playing it seems perverse that they have to endure such a cruel way to get a result that can break many professional footballers.

The tournament had been a huge team effort and the ultimate success only achieved by the contributions of everyone involved:

Blake Erdmann - An imposing figure and now the foundation of the team. The last minute save in our first game was every bit as vital as his heroics in the penalty shootout.

Cauhl Cleary - Dependable as ever throughout despite a niggling ankle injury and proved his credentials as a captain by stepping up to score that vital final penalty kick.

Byron Wilkinson - Brave as a lion, excellent distribution and hardly put a foot wrong during the tournament.

Sean Haymes - Always a tenacious and effective player able to play in a number of positions. That tackle will be the enduring memory of the weekend.

Alec McKinley - Stepped up to the mark when he was really needed in our first game. As good as ever with the ball but also showed bravery, effort and commitment to match his undoubted talent.

Patrick Vernis - Rediscovered his form and confidence in laying the foundations for the whole weekend with his brace in the opening game. Some amazing runs also lit up the final.

Marcello Bertuzzelli - Asked to play in the difficult central midfield role and let no one down. Scored two good goals.

Joshua Boss - Grabbed four goals and put in 100% effort throughout - his penalty was as perfect as it was vital.

Austin Lukasik - Worked tirelessly throughout, often targeted for special marking reducing his chances but opening them up for others. Took a lot of physical punishment without complaint, kept coming back for more and deadly from the spot.

The team collected their trophies from the Mayor of Wellington after a gracious speech by the Wave's coach and Coach Ivan McKinley was overcome by the emotion of the occasion and was unable to continue. We rounded off a perfect weekend with a post-match party kindly organised by the Lukasiks before making our way home for a well-deserved rest, exhausted and stuffed.

About the Palm Beach Soccer Academy U9 Boys Red Team: The core of the Nomads team are in their second year together. The majority of the team attend Lighthouse Elementary, Timber Trace and Beacon Cove Schools. The team is also sponsored by local businesses The Armory and Vernis & Bowling. They are coached by former South African International and MLS Star Ivan McKinley. More info can be found by visiting www.palmbeachnomads.com