10/04/2025
Kiwi FC Match Report – 05 April
Kiwi FC 5 - 1 Junction Elite FC
Man of the Match – Nick Sudmann
Evans Memorial Playing Fields
A perfect blue sky stretched over Evans Memorial Playing Fields – the kind of day that’s made for cup semi-final football. Not a cloud in sight as 20 eager Kiwi battlers strolled through the gates, boots in hand, minds locked in. Last year’s final still fresh in the memory. A full squad. A full bench. A full send incoming.
The Junction Elite clearly meant business too – the drone in the sky early doors for the content – but Kiwi were all business. Captain Collier expertly delegating warm-up duties to Big John, who didn’t disappoint. Izzy setting the tone early in the full button up warm up kit. Lads were ready.
The game started fast and within the first minute, Junction Elite broke down the right, slinging in a dangerous cross that was nodded just over the bar. An early scare for Kiwi, but a polite word between Mooch and Big John steadied the ship – calm heads. Then it began.
Just four minutes in, Xavi picked up a loose ball in midfield and surged forward, slipping it into T. Sudmann who let it roll through his legs to N. Sudmann, before peeling and running in behind. N.Sudmann turned and slipped the ball in front of T. Sudmann. There were Sudmann’s everywhere bamboozling the junction defence. Tim latched on and slid it past the keeper into the bottom corner. 1-0 Kiwi.
From there, Kiwi began to assert themselves. Crisp passing, hard tackles, and a defensive line that looked like they’d all eaten their Weetabix.
By the 14th minute, the PTSD set in for Junction as after some good defence, the ball broke to Nick in midfield. He spotted Tim in space and the roles reversed. A one-two between the brothers had Junction spinning like they'd stepped into a family WhatsApp group. Nick found himself through on goal, cool as you like, placed his foot on the ball and scooped it over the keeper. A finish that had even their 7-foot CB questioning his life choices. 2-0 Kiwi.
Against the run of play, Junction managed to sneak down the left wing, sending in a cross that was only half cleared. It dropped to their left winger at the back post who took it on his chest and volleyed home. A tidy finish. 2-1. Game on.
Lesser teams might have felt the wobble. Not Kiwi. Heads stayed up, passes kept crisp and minutes before the break, the pressure paid off again. A loose back pass was pounced on by Nick, who rounded the keeper and tapped home to restore the two-goal cushion. 3-1 Kiwi at the half.
The kiwis came in for some half time lollies, quick sunblock top up for the pasty brothers and a word from the Gaff. Jobs not done was the message from the break as the determined kiwis headed back out for the second half.
The second half brought more of the same. Kiwi dominated the ball, controlled the tempo, and suffocated any attempt at a Junction comeback. Tempers on the sidelines started bubbling over, with the Junction Elite supporters letting their frustration be known. Rori risking it all for a chirp, as the Junction mandem threatened to get the knife out. All talk. Game continued.
Just as it seemed the show was over, Ra burst through midfield, threading a pass through to Nick. A save, a bobble, a dodgy clearance, Blakey’s boot in the mix, and finally the ball landed back to Nick – who made no mistake. Hat-trick secured. Junction defence in tatters. 4-1 Kiwi. Limbs.
In stoppage time, Ra again drove into the box, putting the fullback in a blender before he was lightly breathed on. A blatant foul as Ra came crashing down and the penalty was given. Captain Collier stepped up, smashed it home, and sealed the deal. 5-1. A statement win.
Full-time whistle.
Scenes as the Kiwi march into back-to-back finals with a dominant display, setting the stage for a classic on May 17th.
The day was rounded out by a wholesome beer them and a few jars in the sunshine.
BRING ON THE CUP FINAL.
VIVA LA KIWI FC 🥝