June 26th (Soccersouth Premier)
Spirit 1, Green Island 4;
On this sunny almost too hot winters day we were treated to five really good goals.
Green Island was just too quick and clinical for Spirit from the outset, although Spirit did get the first goal.
John Schol kept his cool when faced with just the keeper to beat and slipped the ball across to Tristan Baldey who lined it up and finished it off.
Ten minutes later Dave Milton levelled the score when he showed some good control just inside the box and slotted home for the visitors.
1-1 at the break and Spirit was still some sort of chance.
However six minutes into the second spell Ryan Atherton tried his luck with a volley from some thirty metres out and much to his delight and the delight of the "travelling and very entertaining fans" into the top corner it went.
1 - 2 and Spirit still hadn't given up though things were not looking too bright. So it proved to be when Danny Rutter hit a ripper of a shot that Dave Milton deflected into the Spirit goal for his second and a 3 - 1 lead. (Sorry Danny but it's Dave's goal....)
Spirit battled on and had a great chance to cloe the gap from close range a few minutes later but duffed it.
Dave Milton completed his hat trick of goals with a well placed header wide of Spirit second half keeper Chris Pearson from the edge of the box, or near enough.
And that was that 1 - 4.
Spirit has some problems now, bought on by the huge attrition rate of players. Especially missing is a target man up front filling the role of Craig Dale.
I was talking to Pottsy,  he's back in training and may give some game time soon but is more intent on mending himself for a good crack at it next season.
Daniel Hibberd will return next week hopefully and Jonny Cox will be back soon too.
That's if they don't keep Coxy up in Auckland after his super drive to get Jakka Taine home at Alexandra Park on Friday Night.

MVP's:
You probably think I would go for Dave Milton but no it goes to "bring on the island fans" for their contribution.
And for Spirit I thought (as did player-coach John Herdman) that Josh Collins first half performance in goal was worth it.
Two of his saves were simply stunning.

June 19th (Soccersouth Premier)
Spirit 6, Otago University 0;
Well it's "bon voyage" to Craig Dale and Robbie Kent (pics below) who played their last game for Spirit today neither got on the scoreboard but both have contributed well to Spirit's cause in 2004.
So thanks and good luck with whatever you do guys. .. 
Todays game promised a lot but never quite delivered.
It was a game of two defences, Spirits back three of Daniel Hibberd, John McCarroll and Stephen Black broke down the attacks that came their way.
While at the other end Toro Hill, Nick Morrison and Phillip Elder were just as capable. 
Spirit had a chance on the stroke of half time, but Uni's keeper Brad Topp kept it out with two fine back to back reflex saves.
Half Time 0 - 0 and a fair result.
The second half was much of the same, but the each defence got caught out and paid the price.
First up Uni's Lonnie Dalziel sent Mike Glensor through with a gem of a pass that Glensor slotted home. 
Then seven minutes later Spirit's Craig Dale did likewise to Tristan Baldey who showed some good pace to grab the equaliser.
All in all we'll just have to settle for the draw, the Dunedin encounter had the same scoreline...remember.
My MVP's:
Uni - Nick Morrison.
Spirit - Daniel Hibberd.

June 12th (Soccersouth Premier)
Spirit 6, Grants Braes 0;

Southland Spirit struggled to master lowly ranked Grants Braes in the first half of its Soccersouth Premier league game at O’Rorke Park on Saturday but made no race of the second forty five minutes with a 6 goals to nil win.

Spirit's start to the game was unsettled as its three Dunedin players failed to make it to the ground in time. This was due to lateness away from their University exams and then going to the wrong venue. The game was transferred from Rugby Park to O’Rorke.

The reorganized Spirit team took time to settle and lead by just the one goal at the half time break.

With player coach John Herdman dominant in the midfield and local strikers Tristan Baldey and John Schol having strong games in attack Spirit gained its expected control in the second spell.

The goals came regularly to Baldey 2, Schol 2, with Jamie Sharp and Matthew Wahren chiming in to complete the rout.

June 7th (Soccersouth Premier)
Spirit 2, Caversham 4;

Soccersouth Premier league leaders Caversham defeated Southland Spirit 4 goals to 2 at O’Rorke Park today.

In doing so Caversham showed why it is unbeaten, top of the points table and likely to provide the bulk of players to the new Otago United National League franchise.

Goals from Tim Cook, Mike Harrison and Craig Thornton gave the visitors a dominating 3 goals to nil lead at the half time break.

Spirit struck early in the second spell through Tristan Baldey to make the score 3 – 1. However that was quickly cancelled out by Bradley Scott who restored Caversham's three goal cushion at 4 – 1.

A break down the Spirit right flank and a good cross by Marty Black caused some panic in the Caversham defence and defender Nick Brandford deflected the ball into his own net to end the scoring at 4 goals to 2.

My MVP's:  For the visitors Jason Trenberth.

                     For Spirit: John McCarroll

June 5th (Soccersouth Premier)
Mosgiel 0, Spirit 0;

In contrast to the unusually crap weather in Invercargill when we left this game was played in sunshine with no wind and on a pitch that looked good but in fact was a just a bit boggy.

Spirit almost grabbed an early lead after 5 minutes when Craig Newlands found himself about 3 metres away from  an empty net with the Mosgiel keeper out of position. The lad got such a fright at this unusal position he skied the ball upwards and onwards when scoring seemed the easier option.

Nevertheless he redeemed himself with what I rated his best game for Spirit so far,  both he and Daniel Hibberd, two guys I admit I don't mention much,  turned in real solid performances.

Mosgiel's Nathan McCullum (ex Caversham) has always proved a handful for Spirit but the key to this result was some fierce but fair Spirit tackling that kept the dangerous McCullum at bay. Quieten him down and your a fair way toward a result.

Half time 0-0 and remembering Tech's onslaught last week my nerves jingled a bit at what would happen early in the second spell. No worries really because the Spirit defence was a much better unit today and although Mosgiel did have a good period of domination they never really looked like putting one away.....then neither did we at the other end.

It was left to Spirit's Robbie Kent to provide a bit of drama late in the game when he scorched down the left wing and bent a shot at goal that completely eluded Mosgiel's keeper Gareth Hore completely eluded the net, completely eluded the upright and the ball boys and went harmlessly away for a goal kick. But it was close I kid you not.

MVP's for Mosgiel Alister Rickerby is a fine young player, he'll do.

And for Spirit i'll go with Craig Newlands.

May 27th (Soccersouth Premier)
Southland Spirit 3, Dunedin Technical 5:

Dunedin Technical stole the march on Southland Spirit with a dazzling fifteen minute display of controlled soccer early in the second half of their Soccersouth Premier league clash at Rugby Park last night.

The game resulted in a 5 goals to 3 win for Technical, but in that crucial fifteen minutes it took the score from 1 goal each to a 4 – 1 Technical lead.

A Mitch Healey penalty after twenty two minutes for Technical was cancelled out by a wonderful headed goal by Spirit’s Craig Dale to level the score and fairly represent the first period of play.

Technical came out firing in the second spell though and Mike Eisenhut, Healey and Nathan Hill grabbed the goals that gave Tech what appeared to be an unassailable 4 – 1 lead.

Spirit refused to lie down though and once it regained its composure fought back tenatiously to come within one goal of levelling the score.

Craig Dale netted his second and tenth for the season before John Schol rose above the Technical defence to put Spirit back in the game at 4 goals to 3.

It wasn’t to be Spirit’s night though and it paid the ultimate price for its all out attacking policy when Technical broke free and completed the scoring at 5 goals to 3 through Jay Margison right on the stroke of full time.  

I was impressed with the first half display by Spirit youngster Tom Kent, he took the Tech big boys on like an old hand, and his cross to Craig Dale for the equalising goal was as perfect as you would get. He had a quieter second half but can and will improve under the guidance of John Herdman.

Tom's in the Otago Development team for the Milk Cup in Ireland in July, and if i'm any judge he'll get heaps of game time.

May 15th (Soccersouth Premier)
Southland Spirit 6, Northern 1:
Spirit just had to reverse last weeks bad day form and get three points from this game.
And they did it in style, completely dominating the game from the outset.
It was a real team effort, but mention has to be made of John Herdman who showed dazzling form in the midfield and like whisky "gets better with age".
or should that be "gets better as he gets fitter..."
Craig Dale once again did the business with a fine hat trick of goals (his second for the season).
But even he will admit that the best was kept for last and Tristan Baldey's super control & volley to end the scoring would rate goal of the day.
The sequence was....
10 mins John McCarroll.
22 mins Craig Dale.
40 mins Robbie Kent.
55 mins Craig Dale.
68 mins Craig Dale.
85 mins Tristan Baldey.
In amongst that lot, Darren Hart made the most of a rare Spirit defensive lapse to score for Northern.

May 8th (Soccersouth Premier)
Roslyn Wakari 3, Southland Spirit 0:

Roslyn Wakari inflicted the first defeat of the season on Southland Spirit with a convincing 3 goals to nil win at Dunedin on Saturday. As a result Spirit slips from first to fourth on the competition points table three points behind leader Dunedin Technical.

In a somewhat unusal move the game was transferred from Ellis Park to the Caledonian ground because Otago referees are in dispute with the Roslyn club and are refusing to control games at the club’s home venue.

I hear tell the Mosgiel v Caversham game had 3 reds and 8 yellows, as Otago refs campaign against foul and abusive language.

The loss by Spirit of central defender Paul Potrac for an extended period was compounded on Saturday by the late withdrawal of utility player John Schol (hamstring injury) and goalkeeper Duncan Martin (hand injury) to add to coach John Herdman’s selection issues. However the reshuffled Spirit line up held Roslyn until halftime to a lone, but brilliant, Phil Kelly goal that came after twenty minutes play.

“Your new boy Robbie Kent kept us on our toes. With a bit of luck he could have turned the tables with two great goal chances. Our goalkeeper Scott Jarvis was equal to the occasion though and kept us in the game with two superb saves” said astute Roslyn coach Barry White.

The second half was a scrappy affair with Spirit finally succumbing to a goal by Mike Flaws midway through the half and Kelly grabbing his second ten minutes from time to complete the scoring.

And word is that Tove Crosswell got the Spirit MVP for outstanding physio work...........

April 24th (Soccersouth Premier)
Southland Spirit 5, Queenstown 1:
For the first twelve minutes, this game looked to be heading toward another close encounter between these two teams.
Then a flowing attacking move featuring John Herdman, Tristan Baldey and a Craig Dale shot well covered by the keeper sent a signal that Spirit was about to gain some dominance.
Two minutes later Robbie Kent showed some dazzling skills but shot across the face of the goal and the signs were really clear.
So when John Herdman (who has learned well from Robbie...) cleaned out the Queenstown defence and slipped the ball to Craig Dale for the first of his three goals it was all over for Queenstown.
Ten minutes later "Chipper" grabbed his second with a true strikers volley.
Two mins from half time Robbie was brought down (see pic for evidence...) Stephen Black stepped up and slotted home the penalty. 

H-T 3-0
The second forty five was much tamer but opened in fine style with Chipper slotting his hat trick goal after good work by Tristan Baldey.
4-0 became 4-1 when Tobi Reid scored with a penalty, but not to be outdone Stephen Black was entrusted with Spirit's second penalty of the day and duly obliged to make it a 5-1 final. 

No doubt Craig Dale was Spirit's MVP.
Steve Henderson the Queenstown player-coach elected Tom Murphy for them.
That's nice Steve, but my QT MVP was the guy pictured below :-) 

April 17th (Soccersouth Premier)
Green Island 2 v Southland Spirit 2:
Spirit was missing key left side defender Stephen Black for this game.
Stephen (seen below) chose to sit it out at the Thistle v Old Boys Charity Cup encounter resting his bruised ribs so he can hopefully play next Saturday. 

Anyway, I digress, Spirit took the lead after 15mins when Robbie Kent shrugged off a couple of defenders and set Tristan Baldey up to score the first goal.
Green Island had the better of the first 30 mins or so and was rewarded with a fine goal by Ryan Atherton to level things up at 1-1.
Spirit started looking the goods with 15 to go, but 1-1 it stayed till the break.
The home team took the lead with a "bit of a gift goal" (tut tut for a bad pass back...) early in the second spell and looked to be gaining the advantage.
Enter Spirit youngster Tom Kent for his debut game time, and he capped of some good play by setting up the Jonny Cox equaliser.
Paul Potrac from the Spirit central defence went off about 15 from the end and the prognosis is not good for his availability next week.
Unbeaten in three at Dunedin is good, but a lower percentage of missed opportunities would have been gooder.

April 9th (Soccersouth Premier Round Two)
Otago University -1 v Southland Spirit -1:
Spirit had the assistance of the strong wind at their backs for the first 45 mins, but could only rustle up a solitary goal at the 32 minute mark from Craig Dale.
Some of their movement from defence on the left flank was a delight to watch. 
Especially so when Robbie Kent received the ball deep in trouble, slipped a gem through to Craig Dale who in turn crossed perfectly only for Jonny Cox's header attempt to skim the crossbar. Breathtaking stuff.
But alas as i'm bound to say we lack a quality striker (actually who doesn't in this league these days...) and a couple of other chances went begging.
1-0 hardly seemed enough of a lead, and University came out blazing in the second 45 with the wind support.
Their goal came after five minutes and when it did it was a "FLUKE". 

From a corner the ball hit the knee of striker TK who was standing still wondering what to do and shot into the narrowest of gaps to tie the game up at 1-1.
One of the more spectacular performances of the first half was that of Uni central defender Nick Morrison.
But belive me Paul Potrac in central defence for Spirit had a beauty, he called the shots and lead by example and stood alone in a ferocious second half between Uni taking the game and Spirit coming away with something. 

My first look at Robbie Kent, and he's got the goods alright. A quiet first half but showed enough in the second 45 to pay his way. Better is to come to me thinks. 

April 3rd (Soccersouth Premier Round One)
Grants Braes -0 v Southland Spirit -2:
A nervous start for Spirit against newcomers Grants Braes.
The lads took a while to settle and at the 15 min mark Craig Dale hit a penalty over the bar which didn't help settle their nerves.
However he quickly made up for it with a spectacular opening goal 5 mins later.
A couple more missed chances before the break, but the signs were ominous as Spirit began to create space and opportunities.
They nearly paid dearly though when Grants Braes hit the bar from a well taken free kick that would have tied it up albeit against the run of play.
Missed chances was again the story of the second half until John Schol made it safe stroking the ball into the net from close range to give Spirit a deserved win.
Away points are so valuable and the clean sheet reflected the work of the defence.

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