THE NEWSLETTER OF WAIUKU AFC
August 20, 2007
Unbelievable weekend for the Blues!
Just a quick newsletter this week updating everyone on the results from the weekend and including a few match reports from the teams.
In summary though – it has to be one of the best weekends ever for the club as the Kentish Premiers treated once-mighty Pukekohe with contempt, outplaying them all across the park to win 4-0.
Earlier in the day our league-leading Reserves smashed Uni-Mount 8-0 to go six points clear at the top of their table, but the biggest result was the Sunday Stunner – our premier ladies upsetting Western Springs 1-0 in extra time to win the first round of the Federation’s womens knockout cup. Let’s put this win in context – Western Springs are at the pointy end of the womens first division, our girls are low to mid-table. Springs are the current cup holders and last-time out thrashed our girls 8-0 in a display of total football. And, just to make things tougher on Sunday, the powers that be decided to allow Springs to field a bunch of their Northern Premier team. We didn’t have a hope.
But a stunning extra-time goal was enough for the girls to throw this competition wide open (and take the lead story on the Federation website) with what could possibly be the best-ever single match result for Waiuku womens soccer.
You go girls!
Following are match reports as submitted by the teams – Ladies first.
Waiuku Womens Prem v Western Springs:
The first round of the Auckland Knockout Cup saw the Waiuku Women’s First team facing Western Springs White (ranked second in the Division 1 competition). The Western Springs girls, and their coach were all confidence as they warmed up. And why not? The last time the two teams met, Springs had given us an 8 - 0 lesson in playing top quality football. Furthermore, this time they had special dispensation to include five Premier League squad players in their cup team. Nevertheless, Waiuku took the field inspired by Cody and Keith Ralph’s pre-match pep talk, determined to give a good account of themselves and earn their opponents’ respect.
Waiuku weathered 10 minutes of early pressure with solid, confident defence and then moved on to attack. Attractive, skilful football followed, fast and furious as first one team then the other strived to find the net. The Springs coach was clearly surprised and disappointed when the half time whistle blew: score nil all.
During the second half, Western Springs became frustrated and surprised as they found themselves doing their share of desperate defending. This was not part of the plan. Full time and still the teams were deadlocked, no goals scored.
Short break before the start of extra time, 15 minutes each way. More words of inspiration from coach and manager, desperate massaging of weary legs. Waiuku quickly applied pressure and Springs were playing with less confidence 10 minutes later, when they conceded a free kick about 5 metres outside the box. Sarah Smith stepped up and sent an exquisitely judged ball over the keeper’s head and into the net. 1 – 0, unbelievable! Ecstatic Waiuku supporters took some time to settle down, replace hats and watch the game progress while the Western Springs coach became increasingly subdued.
Early in the second half of extra time Gemma Gouwland, player of the day and close marking specialist, suffered a calf injury was carried, protesting, from the field. No subs left and Waiuku had to finish the match with 10. But by then Western Springs had lost their fight and the upset of the season was confirmed. All team members played beyond expectations but special mention must be made of the commanding performance by goalkeeper Vicky Watson. Prospects for the rest of the season and next year are now exciting in the extreme.
Waiuku Mens Prem v Some onion growers.
Pukekohe forgot to turn up in the derby day against high flying Waiuku on a very muddy and rain sodden Bledisloe Park. Pukekohe needed a win to try and keep themselves out of the relegation mire while Waiuku were keen to keep putting pressure on Waiheke at the top of the table.
In front of nearly 78-80 supporters, most of them from Waiuku, the boys in blue played a brand of football that you thought would of been impossible in the mud. Pukekohe had no answer and spent the first half hour just trying to get the ball in the Waiuku half. But by then it was too late and Waiuku was 2-0 up. The first goal was through the middle of the park where Logan Drain and Owen Hill were running the show. The ball was fed to Fan Favourite Eric Rozeboom who squared to Cody Ralph and after he controlled the ball he slammed the ball into the back of the net. Soon after it was 2-0 when Matty Whittaker made one of his forging run downs the left hand side of the park and Ralph popped up at the far post to make it 2-0.
The score could of been more before half time with Hill putting the ball wide on a couple of occasions and with Rozeboom and Ralph shooting when it was easier to pass sideways.
In the second half, Pukekohe brought on their old boys Andy Davy and Brad Frost to try and get themselves back in the game but Waiuku went further ahead when both man of the match players combined. Grant Mills won a header in the middle of the park that send Ralph free of the Pukekohe defence. It took one touch to bring it down and one to plant it home for his fourth hatrick of the season and which tied him on the club goalscoring record of 27 goals.
Luke Dillon came on for Rozeboom and nearly scored straight away when his right foot drive just went over the bar. The final goal of the game was from a Ralph corner when Drain beat Robert Thornton to the loose ball and beat the Pukekohe keeper.
4-0 it stayed and with it a clear statement of intent when the sides meet in the Counties Cup Final in 2 weeks time at Murdoch Park. "it is always a pleasure beating your most fierce rivals but to beat them 4-0 by playing some great football in the mud is very pleasing." Jim Evans had to say.
Waiuku’s Mighty Reserves v Uni-Mount
After 2 weeks of winning by default the reserves team were ready to have a game. A game they did by romping in 8 unanswered goals. With injuries to 3 key players a bit of a makeshift team were put together at the last moment. Starting with the bare 11 on an overgrown pitch which was very spongy underneath it was hard going for the lads. It took 10 mins for scoring to start with Johnny Whittaker putting away 1 of his 3 goals.
Pressure was on Uni Mts keeper as Daniel Baldwin & Whittaker kept up attack after attack and Baldwin was very unlucky a couple of times being denigned by the posts. The next 2 goals came from Whittaker taking on defenders and beating the keeper, 3 nil at the break. Second half saw the goals coming from a variety of players the first being Shane Oliver heading home a cross ball from Prawet Waenthongkhasi. Hubbard and Ruygrok were putting through numerous balls from midfield through to Tim Hoskin whom crossed it for Prawet to score.
Next goal was a Justin Baldwins free kick with his pinpoint accuracy for Ruygrok to head home. With 15 mins to go Prawet dribbling through the defence was taken down in the area and was awarded a penalty kick which the sweeper (Scott Peterson) promptly called out that he would take it and marched up to calmly put it away for his first of the season. Ruygrok not to be outdone by the defender took a shot got a deflection which beat the goalie to make the final score 8 nil.
The defence were well marshalled but had very little to do to contain the opposition which earned Chris Parker Man Of the match. The reserves now have to hold onto top spot for the next 2 weeks to win their league.
Cheers all,
Nigel