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posted on May 15, 2010 18:15
The day did not start well! Heading up along State Highway One through torrential rain, we wondered if the game would be off when we got to 3 Kings. Fortunately not and to be honest, when we walked out to the pitch, it was to a sunny day with a reasonable playing surface all things considered. The only down side was the late withdrawal of one of our players, leaving us alittle short on the bench (Jack and myself). However, the team talk was once again of keeping it simple, playing to our abilities and off we went with the AFF appointed referee. From the start we played some nice passing football, making the right decisions and playing a good standard of football as we went forward. Unfortunately, after about 5 minutes, we were unable to clear the ball from our box and 3 Kings, against the run of play, had a simple task of putting the ball into the net. Once again a soft goal that could have been avoided, but the team are starting to learn and we battled back. Great runs from Shane Holmes and Dylan Smyth Kirk on the wings were complimented by runs from Roddy Peat and 'Lev'! As we attacked with purpose, Coster and Bret Zinzan were having a right battle in midfield with 3 Kings and with no prisoners taken. Then as Coster ran into the box, he was bundled over and the ref awarded us a clear penalty. Up steps Coster himself to take the kick and attempts to fool the keeper by kicking it straight at him. Obviously the keeper was startled as he failed to hold it and it rebounded to Coster, who duely planted it into the net. However as he did so, the ref blew for an encroachment from a 3 Kings player and Coster had to re-take his kick. As he did so, he ensured this one was going in, hitting it so hard that it flew into the top of the goal, with the keeper appearing to get out of its way! 1-1!!
Great! Back to level terms and Waiuku were playing some very nice football at times, although ball watching did catch a few players out. Needless to say our playing was putting pressure on 3 Kings and with a lovely finish, 'Lev' got clear and buried the ball into the net. 2-1 to Waiuku!! With that, confidence was obviously high and the team were battling for everything. Then, a free kick given away to 3 Kings on our right and just outside the box. As the lads debated where they would stand, no-one bothered to watch the opposition and so, taking a quick free kick, they placed it into the path of a player in the centre and just outside our box, who had the simple task of putting it beyond Stuart Ruddell in goal! 2-2! And again, another 'soft' goal given away!
Half time saw Dylan make way for Jack Harris on the right wing. Waiuku continued where we had left off and the game see sawed between both sides. Then midway into the second half, a needlessly given free kick was awarded to 3 Kings out on our right again. In comes the cross into our 6 yard box and again, it is not dealt with, resulting in a headed own goal from Bret under pressure and we were 2-3 down! It is really geting frustrating when every goal we have conceeded so far this season was preventable with better defending, but that's why we are the Development Squad and to the lads credit, they came straight back at 3 Kings. With great runs from Lev and Roddy, we were pushing every time we attacked and from another great run through the centre, Lev outstripped the defence and chipped the keeper to bring it to 3-3! From there, the game was ours to win and despite a number of breaks, we were unable to get another and at the final whistle it ended 3-3. Two sour notes were bookings to Grant and Madison, aswell as a pulled muscle for Jack that required me to fill in for the last 10 minutes, but the team did well to battle back for the draw against the best of the 3 Kings teams we have played. Credit goes to every member of the side as they dug deep, got their challenges in and showed what they are made of. Man of the match went to Lev for his 2 great goals and running. Thanks to those supporters that came to watch and next week we are at home to Fencibles at Massey Park. KO 1pm. If anyone is free, it would be nice to come cheers the lads on.