New Falcons ready to hit the road
For Lukas Simpson and Nick Stanton, it is fitting that the Nelson-Marlborough Falcons’ first match of the ASB Youth League season, against WaiBOP United on Sunday, is on the road.
The winger and the goalkeeper are the lone Marlborough-based members of the 20-player under20s squad and will be spending a lot of time on the road over the next three months, travelling to Nelson twice a week for trainings and around New Zealand every second weekend for away matches.
‘‘On Sunday we have to be at the Nelson airport at 6.15am. I had better find out if we are flying from Woodbourne or we have to leave here at 4am,’’ Stanton said on Thursday before setting out for a final training run in Nelson.
He is unsure of the travel details because the pair were yet to find out if they would be in the match day team for the first of 11 matches in the team’s title defence.
Both are new to the squad in 2015, having made the final cut following warm-up games against Canterbury United Youth in Renwick last weekend.
Nelson’s Dion Keetley will be in the match-day mix, the centreback taking over as captain in 2015. Last year the Falcons defence was instrumental in bagging them the national league title and Keetley was a key component.
Stanton could also be key in keeping opponents at bay, the goalkeeper saying he is pleased to earn a place in the squad, but has ambition to go further. ‘‘There is still the challenge of going from reserve to starting keeper. The goal was to make the squad and now it is to make the first XI.’’
The 17 year-old Marlborough Boys’ College year 12 student will battle with Nelson Suburbs Mainland League player Levi Waddington, as the only other goal-keeper.
At 19 years-old Simpson is in his last year of eligibility for the side and the apprentice electrician said that played into his decision to give the Falcons a good attempt.
‘‘Two years ago I trialled, but didn’t make the final cut. I was too busy last year but this year I thought I would give it another go. I thought I better make the most of the opportunity,’’ Simpson said.
‘‘I am very exited to make the match day squads. I’m keen as.
‘‘It was a bit of test against Canterbury in the weekend. It gave me a bit of an insight into what it would be like and I think I will be able to cope all right.’’
Both he and Stanton played for Marlborough Development in the Nelson division one club league this season and so knew many of their Falcons-teammates from playing against them there.
Stanton has come through the Mainland Federation Talent Centre, as well as National Talent Centre, meaning cracking the Falcons was the natural next step.
He has enjoyed the environment so far. ‘‘It seems more structured than some of the Marlborough trainings, club and what not, I have been to. The tempo is up, the game is faster and everyone is a bit more willing,’’ Stanton said.
Their opponents on Saturday are sure to be willing, looking for a chance to take down the defending champions who return many of their group from last year, albeit in a smaller squad. WaiBOP finished the 12-team competition fifth last year, but will be aiming to begin with a bang in Matamata on Sunday.
An extended Falcons squad has been training for a month though, so should be ready. All that travel, to practice, comes with a price tag for Simpson and Stanton.
‘‘We are looking for a sponsor, just for travel. I am not sure how we are going to arrange that in terms of advertising. I am hoping they would have a couple of ideas for that if we did find one,’’ Simpson said.