Farts dominate in local derby

With the finals starting to appear on the horizon the Farts have struggled to find any rhythm or consistency with a larger than normal number of injuries through the season and the odd player MIA.
The recent cold snap had also dampened spirits somewhat, so it was a pleasant feeling for them to run out onto the number 1 field in sunshine yesterday for the main game, a local derby between The Farts and the recently promoted Upper Hutt team.

Upper Hutt were pleased they had reserves going into this match, whilst the Farts were please they actually had 11 players (thankfully Chris F turned p 5 mins before the game with his gear just in case to be the 11th man!) .
Try to local derby’s, it was a physical and at times heated exchange, with both umpires withering a storm of “assistance” from both teams.
Upper Hutt looking ominous early on, with some slick short passing, trapping and effective running off the ball.

However it was the Farts that drew first blood, playing their typical fast break game they pressured the UH defence, with Trapper having a shot at goal saved by the goalie and another going wide of the uprights. Shortly after the Farts were awarded a PC, which Scotty slammed into the back board. UH responded with a quick goal, aided into the back of the net by Alan.
UH still looked impressive with their passing and trapping, however the Farts were able to wrestle back enough ball to pressure them, Brad forcing the goalie to make a save, who was then stranded at the top of the D for Scotty to score again.

Before half time, Scotty had bagged a hatrick, and the Farts went to the sheds 3-1 up and feeling reasonably pleased with their efforts.

The second half started off with a hiss and a roar from UH, but as it progressed they seemed to fade badly.

The midfield opened up, and the Farts were getting lots of ball up the right through Chris and the centre through Willie. Trapper scored to open the score sheet for the second half, then shortly afterwards banged a rebound off the goalie into the net.

Most of the game seemed to be played in the UH red zone, with numerous corners, long and short, and tempers getting frayed with very loose tackling by UH.

Brad deftly placed the ball into the inside right of the goal to open his scoring for the Farts, and Trapper finished off the scoring with his third (and first hatrick in 20 years), perfectly trapping a cross field pass from the right wing by Chris, one step into the circle and slamming the ball past the keeper into the left hand backboards.

The final score line (7-1) reflected the overall pattern of play and pressure. The Farts seem to be peaking at the right end of the season, and after a injury induced disrupted season seem to be getting their game plan together. However it seems a large mountain to climb to get back in QF contention.

Goals
3- Scotty
3- Trapper
1 – Brad

MVP
3- Trapper – deserved the points with a hat trick, and seems to be settling into the role of striker after years off feeding the circle from the wing.
2- Scotty – His hat trick takes him to the top of the Farts goal scoring list for this season, and Scotty put in his usual high work rate.
1- Al – strong performance in defence and feeding the forwards even considering the nice own goal.
1- Adrian well stock oranges