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Jason Heather posted on June 06, 2010 16:45
On Saturday Waiuku AFC travelled south to Matamata Swifts for the twelfth game in their 2010 campaign. With both teams in fourth on equal points, only separated by goal difference, a top six finish was needed to ensure a better chance of division one football next year. A win here would be a huge boost for either side.
Opting for a new 3-5-2 formation it was Waiuku who made the better start. With only five minutes gone Waiuku keeper Justin Baldwin fed the ball to left mid fielder Jamie Pegg. With a burst of speed Pegg beat the Swifts right back and delivered a great ball into the path of Shane Godden who took his shot first time only to be denied by a brilliant save by Matamata goalkeeper Ged Parkinson. Waiuku kept up the pressure and were soon in with another goal scoring chance. Cody Ralph, with a good solo effort managed to get a curling shot away, this time the crossbar keeping the game scoreless. Two more opportunities from Elliot Crean and Andy Millynn were again thwarted by the impressive Parkinson in the Matamata goal. Then against the run of play Matamata took the lead. A long ball over the top of the defense was poorly headed back to the keeper by full back Sam Van Pomeron. Swifts striker Andy Cooper latched onto the loose ball and went round Baldwin to put Matamata ahead. Waiuku tried to counter but went into the halftime break one goal down.
The second half kicked off and it was clear that Waiuku Coach Jim Evans had given specific instructions for his team to get the ball on the ground and play a much more structured, passing game. Bringing the wide players Andy Millynn and Jamie Pegg into the game more, Waiuku dominated much of the play but was unable to find the equalizer. Matamata then got the break they were looking for. An optimistic shot from outside the box deflecting off Wayne Trout, deceiving the keeper it came back off the cross bar and fell kindly to Tim Miller who made no mistake from close range. With centre mid fielder Shane Godden suffering from the flu all week, substitute Charlie Heather was bought into the middle of the park to try to add a bit more structure. Waiuku started pushing hard to get back into the game when yet another defensive error all but put it out of their reach. Full back Jerry Hubbard tried to put a pass through the middle but was intercepted by a Matamata player who passed the ball neatly through to Pete Shannon, the resulting shot finding the target and Waiuku were three goals down with ten minutes remaining. A consolation goal almost came for Waiuku when a rare error by Swifts keeper Parkinson allowed the ball to fall into the path of substitute Robbie Thornton who struck it well but again the cross bar helping the home team to keep a clean sheet. The full time score somewhat flattering the Matamata side as they spent a lot of the day chasing the game. Waiuku now have a bit of a hill to climb to secure the top six spot they need but its by no means out of question they can do this.
Coach Jim Evans was disappointed with the result but happy with the way the team played. We had enough chances to score ten and we made a couple of costly errors at the back. I thought we outplayed them today and if it was not for their goalie we would have taken the points. Next week is a must win now and Andy Millynn got man of the match today.
Waiuku take on Tauranga at Massey Park, Waiuku next week. Another team in the running for that top six spot. Kick Off 2:45pm.
Team Justin Baldwin, Wayne Trout, Jerry Hubbard, Sam Van Pomeron (Rob Hatton 80), Andy Millynn, Owen Hill, Robbie Leonard, Shane Godden (Charlie Heather 55), Jamie Pegg, Elliot Crean (Robbie Thornton 75), Cody Ralph.
Subs Not Used Evan Crean, Dom Winter, and Phil Van Den Broek.