Hall Meets Beckham

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "met" David Beckham last evening at the Westpac stadium. "Phoenix had just scored a penalty and I decided on a quick dash to the loo" said Hall "I raced out into the corridor to discover that the Beckham entourage was swooning down the corridor and the kid next to me yelled out to Beckham so he stopped to talk to him". Hall said this held up his journey by some minutes. "What do you say to a Superstar who gets between you and the toilet during a home fixture" said Hall "I know I wanted to suggest he talked to the kid some other time". Hall said he was gutted by the way Phoenix lost but he would be there again tonight to see the Galaxy versus Phoenix match. "They didn't win the game that mattered so hopefully they will win the one that doesn't tonight". said Hall "and I'll be looking at a few pointers from Ruud Gullit on football management".

Beckham Hits Town

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall welcomed David Beckham to Wellington but said he hadn't got time to organise an exhibition indoor match at Shed 1 because of other commitments. "I've got a lot on at the moment so I apologise to David for not getting out to the airport" said Hall "and I apologise as well for the Chairman who took off to some swanky function in Taupo". Hall said he'd get along to the match at the stadium on Saturday night and would be available to give Beckham pointers if needed. "England just lost to Croatia so I could probably give him at bit of advice" said Hall "but we're happy to have him in town and just hope he doesn't distract Phoenix from winning tomorrow night". Hall said if Beckham insisted on playing for Rovers he'd give him five minutes of the bench. "We're not sure of his indoor pedigree" said Hall "but we'd give him a crack if we got a free kick".

75 Today

Injured Zephyr Rovers player Colin "Chopper" McIntosh today became officially the oldest player in Wellington Indoor history when he celebrated his 75th birthday quietly at the Zephyr offices. "We had a quiet crate or two to celebrate" said Zephyr Rovers Chairman George Nash "it's a small wonder he isn't a fossil by now and let's face it the opposition often say he feels like stone as he clatters into them". Nash said Chopper was at his football peak before the war but had done well to stay active by playing football. "There will those who will be sceptical that Chopper really is seventy-five" said Nash "but these are the same people who don't think he had a major part in Lord of the Rings, and I don't mean the film". McIntosh confirmed he had no plans to retire at this point.

Mystery Matt In Doubt

"Mystery" Matt Cantwell may yet again be unavailable for the fixture against Jinny Five Bellies. "He's missed the last two games because of other commitments and we've been going ok" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "he's a wizard on the ball but he's not exactly a legend in the passing the ball stakes". Cantwell was last reported to have passed in 1973 when he mistook a fellow player for the goal. "Apparently he last passed the ball when he spun through eight defenders and got dizzy mistaking one of his own players for the goal" said Hall "and even then he managed to get the ball straight back from the startled player". Hall said after many years of playing with Cantwell he'd learnt to get extra exercise by picking the ball out of the net after he scored. Hall said Cantwell had thought about passing the ball to him once for a tap in but had "decided to beat ten defenders and circle the referee himself instead".

Oh So Close

Zephyr Rovers were leading almost start to finish of their match today against Whites at Shed 6 before succumbing to an equaliser with the last kick of the game. "We were the better team for much of the match but didn't get far enough ahead to kill them off" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "and then we tired in the last three or four minutes and were hanging on with one minute to go when they got a penalty for the five fouls rule". Hall said remarkably they missed the penalty and when the the referee called seven seconds to go Rovers were still leading by one. "I thought we'll keep them out for seven seconds but they got the ball across to a free player and he smacked it in the top corner" said Hall "it was gutting to see that one fly past me". Hall said he thought it was a good performance and it was unfortunate the three points wasn't in the bag. "I felt like I played for the Phoenix" said Hall "I now know what Ricki Herbert (pictured) feels like now".

Final: Rovers 7 Whites 7

No Rift At Club

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he wasn't concern that Zephyr Rovers Manager George Nash (pictured) had announced the starting line up without reference to him. "I don't see what the issue is when we only had six available players" said Hall "I would only be concerned if he tried to start picking who should be dropped but fortunately the situation hasn't arisen for a while". Hall said there was a clear separation of duties in the club and there was no confusion of roles. "You don't see me poking my nose into the what the Chairman does" said Hall "but I'm sure he does it very well as we've got a great sponsor and we're a thriving club". Hall said he expected Rovers to be competitive against Whites but was aware it had been very close last time so he was expecting it to be tight.

More Phoenix Lessons

Zephyr Rovers manager Steve Hall said it was again frustrating this evening to watch Wellington Phoenix draw with a ten man Melbourne. "There was a lot that was better about Wellington Phoenix this week" said Hall "but they just looked like they were too scared to win go forward and win it". Hall said Rovers could learn from this in their match on Monday against Whites. "We have had a close game with these guys last season and just won it by a goal" said Hall "so if we have the desire we should be competitive and a result would see us very well placed in what is a tough league". Hall said Rovers would bring in Rob Purcell again this as several players were still unavailable through injury. "Rob looked like Ben White used to look last week" said Hall "but then those groin strains would slow down anyone".