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Jason Heather posted on August 12, 2010 16:53
Regular visitors to this website will have noticed that lately there has been an absence of write ups for the senior mens reserves. The reason for this is that the coaching staff has been very busy with the first team in our campaign for promotion to next seasons first division. This doesnt mean the reserves have been ignored, not by a long way. They have been training hard and recently picked up a good result after two weeks of byes.
On 17th July they travelled away for their first fixture in the second phase of the NRFL season against Hibiscus Coast. This ended in a 2-0 loss but it was a good solid performance from the team who really should have earned a draw. Some solid attacking play in the second half was unlucky not to yield some goals. Player of the day went to Dom Winter whose transition into senior football this year has been impressive.
Then another bout of the dreaded byes. Two weeks with no game. Its been mentioned by quite a few AFF Reserve coaches that the absence of the Waikato / Bay Of Plenty reserve teams has been a hindrance to the progression of their squads, especially when they were refused cup football this year too. Lets hope the reserve league structure will be improved next year.
Papakura were next and this was a bit of a grudge match. As well as Coach Jason Heather, there were at least three ex Papakura players who signed for Waiuku this year and all were keen to get the result. In terrible conditions it wasnt an easy first half but Waiuku still managed to go into the break 2-0 up thanks to goals from Phil Donovan and Jamie Pegg. The second half was complete Waiuku domination and keeper Phil Van Den Broek hardly saw the ball. When he did finally get his hands on it he wasnt going to waste his chance. Kicking the ball out of his hands it didnt bounce until it reached the Papakura 18 yard line, going over the head of the opposing keeper and into the goal. 3-0 the final score. Player of the day went to Mitchell Thomasen.
This week the reserves take on Mangere United at 12:30, Massey Park. With five games remaining its possible they can win the reserve league if they keep playing like they did against Papakura.