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Jason Heather posted on July 19, 2010 17:44
The second phase of the 2010 NRFL competition got under way this Saturday with the Waiuku Wolf and Beaver Premiers travelling away to Hibiscus Coast. This fixture was only played 2 weeks earlier in the first phase at Massey Park and unfortunately the outcome was the same, a loss for Waiuku. Stanmore Bay Park was the venue this time and Waiuku went into the game with high hopes. With a new formation and Charlie Chico Heather making his first start, in for the injured Jamie Pegg, the mood in the Waiuku camp was positive. Hibiscus Coast started stronger while Waiuku adjusted to the new formation but it wasnt long before their hold on the game diminished and Waiuku began to take control. Breakaways from the new up front pairing of Shane Godden and Cody Ralph keeping the pressure on the home side. A rare foray forward from defender Sam Van Pomeren nearly paid off but his cross was cut out by the Hibiscus keeper. Then lady luck decided to shine on the home team. On a break forward the Waiuku defense looked well positioned to deal with things but the cross was somehow cruelly defected around them and into the path on oncoming striker Dan Bungard who headed the ball home 10 minutes before the break.
All was not lost and Waiuku came out fighting in the second half. The partnership of Godden and Ralph and the mid-field trio of Millynn, Heather and Hill all doing a fine job in ensuring Hibiscus Coast had little time on the ball to build anything. Again Waiuku pressed and with Jerry Hubbard hitting the post and Godden firing just wide it seemed the equalizer wouldnt be far away. Then tragedy struck for the visitors. While pushing high to get back in the game they were caught on the counter attack and a clever shot from outside the box by attacker Mike Cyra saw the ball sail over the head of Waiuku keeper Justin Baldwin and into the net. With seven minutes remaining a poor refereeing decision denied Waiuku the chance to get back into the game. A snap shot from Charlie Heather was deliberately handled in the box and the ball was cleared away. The referee waved the appeals away when it appeared even the home side thought a penalty was going to be awarded. Sadly this was one of many errors for both sides from the man in charge. The game finished 2-0 and with 8 games remaining and 8 points behind division 2 leaders Mangere United, to finish top Waiuku have a tough but no means impossible task ahead.
After the game coach Jim Evans said, I was proud of the teams performance. I thought we were the better side and created the better chances but we didnt take them. The run of the ball doesn't seem to be going our way at the moment but I am happy with the way we are progressing. Man of the match was Chico Heather.
Team: Justin Baldwin, Wayne Trout, Sam Van Pomeren, Jerry Hubbard, Darren Woolnough, Andrew Millynn, Owen Hill, Charlie Heather, Simon Millynn (Phil Donovan 75), Shane Godden & Cody Ralph.
Subs not used: Phil Van den Broek, Luke Dillon, Luke Sutton, Robby Leonard, Mitchell Thomasen