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Gaffer posted on April 02, 2010 12:10
The first games at home for Waiuku FC Senior mens kicked off on Saturday with Waiuku reserves meeting Pukekohe Reserves in the first derby clash of the day.
The game started in the usual derby fashion with both teams competing for early possession, the ball being traded from team to team until things began to settle down. Pukekohe pushed high to gain the early advantage but were punished twenty minutes in when a beautiful through ball from Luke Sutton found Elliot Crean beating the offside trap. Finding himself one on one with the keeper he kept his cool and slotted it neatly into the back of the net, putting Waiuku one goal up.
Again Pukekohe pushed high up the pitch but gaining possession Waiuku counter attacked well and Dion Potter put a deep cross to the back post finding Charlie Heather, the header had the keeper beat but narrowly went wide. Waiuku kept early possession well with Pukekohe struggling to keep up with the game.
The up front pairing of Sutton and Crean were giving the Pukekohe defence some cause for concern and conceded a free kick moments later on the edge of the box. Heather stepped up put the ball over the wall, beating the keeper but was denied by the cross bar. Again Waiuku dominated and another lovely ball by Potter found Heather unmarked in the box, the ball was met on the volley with Pukekohe keeper Andre Van Leishout pulling off undoubtedly the save of the game to again deny the young left half.
Pukekohe came out in the second half with conviction and began to fight back but the central midfield pairing of Dave Johnson and Dale Oliver managed to keep the game under control. Pukekohe only tested keeper Phil Van Den Broek once with a sharp through ball but he was off his line and got down well. Pukekohe countered with some long throws but were denied with some great aerial work from the Waiuku keeper.
With Pukekohe searching for the equalizer Waiuku coach Jason Heather brought on sub Dave Nutt into the middle of the park to settle things down, his communication and experience proved invaluable going with a 4-5-1 formation to close the game out.
The game finished 1-0 but didnt really reflect the way Waiuku played. After the game coach Jason said he was happy with the result with some new season combinations working well in training and the lads have transferred it well into the games. The central defensive ginger partnership of Rob Hatton and Scott Petersen worked very well and it looks like the start of a great season for them.
Waiuku reserves meet Mangere reserves next week at Centre Park hoping to continue their early season success.
Player of the day: Charlie Heather
Team: Phil van den Broek, Evan Crean (Brett Zinzan 65), Rob Hatton, Scott Petersen, Dion Potter, Charlie Heather, Dale Oliver, Dave Johnson, Madison Ewing-Reid (Dom Winter 70), Elliot Crean (Dave Nutt 75), Luke Sutton.
Subs not used: Chris Mahoney & Stu Ruddell