First Up Win

Zephyr Rovers FC took a big step up to the higher league today with a good 8 - 5 win over TFT United. "I certainly noticed the standard was higher in this league" said Hall "one of their guys was trying to do drag backs although they never seemed to work, we've not been used to seeing anyone else but me try that trick". Hall said Rovers were pretty solid defensively in the first half and gave away very few chances at the back. "It is so important to get away to a good start defensively in these games as they tend to be very tight in the first five or ten" said Hall "it provides the platform for going forward and even a couple of goals lead can change the nature of a game". Hall said the standard of finishing was pretty high for Rovers in this match. "John Cao (pictured) was on fire for this match" said Hall "it's not well known he was going to stand down for the season due to concerns over his fitness, but on this performance the extra training has obviously being paying dividends". Rovers were 6 - 1 up at half time but soon incurred a sixth foul and automatic penalty. "I saved the first attempt and the referee made him retake it because he'd taken too many steps" said Hall " I was incredulous but then put the guy off enough that he missed the goal second attempt". The game was tight until the end but Rovers stayed at least three goals ahead all the way. "A good start and we have the local derby against Solnet next week so that should bring Shed 6 to life on a Monday morning" quipped Hall.

Final Score: Rovers 8 TFT 5

We're Ready

Zephyr Rovers FC Manager Steve Hall said his team was as ready for the challenge of Division 3 and the squad was looking forward to the challenge. "I looked good in training this week" said Hall "but George has a gammy leg and might yet have to hobble through the match, but I'm not expecting that to impact on his effectiveness". Hall said Division 3 was something of a unknown quantity but Rovers were a better side than when they started out three seasons ago. "I think when we off-loaded Smith (pictured) to Perth we made a leap forward" said Hall "and Charlie just sent me an e mail confirming that he's quickly become a Perth Glory boy". Hall said Rovers were progressing towards our vision and whilst he was disappointed not to get Rooney, he had every confidence that Smith has gone far enough away that he won't be able to agitate our referee for this match.

It's A-League For Wellington

Terry Serepisos (pictured) became a living legend in Wellington this afternoon when he bank-rolled the successful Wellington A-League bid for what was reputedly over a million dollars. "I've never met Terry as far as I know" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "but he's welcome to ring me tomorrow to see what we can do about reactivating that Zephyr bid for Wayne Rooney". Hall said he and Nash had had discussions about buying season tickets and Hall said Rovers would like to work closely with the A-League franchise. "I'm happy to give Rikki Herbert a few pointers when he moves to Wellington "said Hall "he might not know where some of the bars are and like me he'll be wanting to keep his players out of them". Hall said that if Rovers were to go on and meet their vision of being best indoor team in Wellington by 30 June 2030, then a bit of loose change from Terry Serepisos would probably help the cause.

Hussey Has Quiet Day

Eddie Hussey said he had a quiet Saint Patrick's day, sharing it with about ten thousand friends at several Irish Bars. "I knew with a Division 3 game coming up on Wednesday I should go easy on the Guinness" said Hussey "so I didn't get to the pub until breakfast time and I left again by breakfast time, as God be my witness". Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he was impressed by the moderation Hussey had shown and said he was a role model to his fellow players. "Charlie Smith was a model of lack of constraint" said Hall "so it is good to see the Eddie buckling down now we're up in the higher echelons of the league". Hall said he knew Trevor Hose would have been trying to lead young Eddie astray. "I think the lad has shown real character" said Hall "although it's fair enough to be having a Guinness or five for breakfast providing it isn't match day".

I Don't Like Cricket

Zephyr FC manager Steve Hall said tonight that suggesting there was a World Cup or two going on this year was nonsense. "Take a look at this strange game called cricket that is having some sort of competition in the West Indies" said Hall "I mean it can hardly be taken as seriously as the real World Cup". Hall said it was good to see a few minnows in the competition and he predicted that Ireland would beat Pakistan and cause an uproar in the tournament. "I don't know why, but I just have this feeling the Pakistan team is going to be going home early" said Hall "it is kind of the same feeling I had when I thought we win the league those last two seasons". Hall said a wise punter would put a bob or two on Ireland as you never know what magic they'll do on Saint Patrick's day. "I'll be concentrating on walking down the street and truckin' right" said Hall "I don't like cricket as they have funny hair cuts".

Hall Fails To Sign Rooney

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall made an audacious move to sign superstar Wayne Rooney from Manchester United. "Well I figured we were now in the dizzy heights of Division 3 so we'd benefit from a quality striker" said Hall "but it turned out we were a few million short of Wayne's weekly salary, not to mention that Manchester United wanted something called a transfer fee". Hall said they'd have to soldier on will Col in a striking role with John Cao and Hall himself providing back up. "George fancies himself as Archie Gemmill right now after his four goals in the last game" said Hall "so it maybe if he keeps this up he might be adding value to the team". An unconfirmed source said Nash had suggested that he was the star of the team and would continue to put his money where his mouth was.

Oh My God - It's Division 3

Wellington Indoor Sports today announced that Zephyr Rovers were to go into Division 3 after John Cao (pictured) apparently had a word with the centre Manager. "It has always been our vision to be the best team in Wellington by 30 June 2030" said Rover Manager Steve Hall "but this is going a bit faster than I anticipated, we're already over half way there with twenty three years or so to spare". Hall said he'd expected at least Division 4 and maybe even five but suspected giving a Division 5 team a hiding would have repercussions. "Obviously I'm pleased we are still on track with the vision" said Hall "and no doubt a new fitness regime will see us in with a chance of a semi-final spot". Hall urged the squad to start running for at least five hours a day as well as doing a few hours of ball skills. "I think if we put fifteen hours a day in total we'll give this league a fright" said Hall "then again we'll probably give them a fright when George comes along with his shorts".