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Jason Heather posted on May 24, 2010 19:36
With only one loss so far this season, the Waiuku reserves travelled to Riverhills Park hoping to keep their un-beaten run intact against Fencibles United. With a depleted side due to injuries and suspension in the first team the reserves called upon the services of Grant Muckle from the development squad and Cliff from the over 30s. The previous days rain meant cancellations for all the lower leagues so the game was to have three officials for the first time.
As the game kicked off Waiuku started slow and were lucky not to concede thanks to some poor finishing from Fencibles. The game progressed and eventually they settled into the passing game theyre used to. This was evident when on the thirty minute mark an attacking move broke down and they had to regroup. The ball was played back down the left side of the pitch all the way to keeper Justin Baldwin who switched it quickly to right mid Luke Dillon who saw striker Luke Sutton making a lateral run. Dillon put Sutton clear through on goal but he still had a lot to do. Coaxing the Fencibles keeper off his line, Sutton smartly went around him and fired home from a very tight angle. A great finish and a great team build up. Waiuku kept up the pressure and went into the half time break one goal up.
The second half started at a fast pace and it was clear that Fencibles were pushing hard for the equalizer forcing the Waiuku defense to prove themselves. They did this by keeping a good defensive structure spearheaded by Grant Muckle who was rarely beaten in the air or on the ground. After a quick break Waiuku won a corner against the run of play. Charlie Heather stepped up and put the ball just out of reach of the keeper finding Robbie Cuddles Thornton at the back post who rose like a salmon to head Waiuku two goals ahead. Fencibles countered and immediately pulled a goal back. A low cross driven into the six yard box was met by Heather, misjudging the pace of the ball he sliced it past the waiting hands of keeper Baldwin. Own goal. Hoping for a comeback Fencibles tried hard but were never really a threat to the Waiuku goal. With some good chances gone begging it looked like the game would end like this but with ten minutes to go Waiuku were awarded a free kick on right hand edge of the box. Again dead ball specialist Charlie Heather stepped up. He curled the ball around the back of the defense finding Cuddles Thornton screaming in at the back post. The ball took an awkward bounce but he managed to get his man boob on it to bundle it home. Final score three one to Waiuku.
After the game Waiuku Coach Jason Heather said the result is well deserved and Im especially happy with the way we passed the ball around and kept possession for long periods of the game. Itll give the team some confidence going into next weeks top of the table clash against Mt Albert Ponsonby who is very strong but by no means unbeatable. Player of the day goes to Robbie Cuddles Thornton for scoring two goals and his positive attitude for the whole ninety minutes
Team- Justin Baldwin, Evan Crean, Scott Petersen, Jason Oliver, Caine Robbie, Dale Oliver, Grant Muckle, Charlie Heather, Luke Dillon (Cliff ??? 70), Robbie Thornton, Luke Sutton (Jesse Smyth-Kirk 55)
Sub not used- Stewart Ruddell