Waiuku get hit for six

Team: Trent Hirst, Mitch Thomasen, Dom Winter, Elliot Crean, Darren Woolnough, Jerry Hubbard (c), Sam van Pomeron, Robbie Leonard (Jamie Pegg 60), Shane Godden (Charlie Heather 75), Derek Sinclair (Luke Sutton 75)

Subs not used: Phil van den Broek, Andy Millynn

Waiuku got hit for six by high flying Mt Albert on Saturday. Mt Albert recruited heavily in the summer, bringing in several attacking players to help their push for promotion. However the scoreline was flattering for the team sitting top of the table.

Waiuku kept the same team that beat Western Springs last week apart from giving Trent Hirst his debut for the team in goal. Mt Albert had three recognised goal scorers in their team and Dean Delaney, Jared Colligan and Leo Berlim all stated up front putting the Waiuku back four under pressure. Mt Albert scored on the 13th minute mark. A Mt Albert midfielder handled the ball and the ref waved play on but Waiuku paused for the free-kick. A long ball through sent Delaney through and he gave Hirst no chance as he smacked the ball into the top corner. Mt Albert went 2-0 up when a Waiuku throw in was not controlled and again a long ball was sent through for Colligan to score.

Waiuku entered the contest after this. Shane Godden had a corner hit the bar after the Mt Albert defence hesitated and then Simon Millynn went close after going round his marker. Derek Sinclair was still suffering from his hamstring pull against Tauranga but was dictating play and Waiuku had a couple more close chances but couldn't find the back of the net, Mt Albert nearly had a third with a direct free-kick but Hirst dived to his right and tipped it over the bar,

Waiuku came out storming after the half time team talk. Millynn found himself one on one with the Mt Albert keeper but the keeper saved brilliantly with his feet. The resulting corner gave Jerry Hubbard a free header but he hit it right at the keeper. Sinclair then got free on the right and hit a great volley but again the keeper saved acrobatically. Just when it looked like Waiuku were going to get back in the contest, Mt Albert hit a third. Thomasen only just failed to cut out a cross ball and Colligan got free down the left. His cross found Delaney who tapped home for his second. This took the wind out of Waiuku sails and Mt Albert hit their fourth, A scrappy run from Delaney wasn't cut out after several Waiuku tacklers hit the ground and he stood strong and finished with his hatrick. A corner wasn't cut out and Berlim hit a free header into the back of the net and then Colligan scored from the penalty spot after Mt Albert were given a very soft penalty after a dive from their player coach in the penalty box.

Coach Jim Evans had this to say" Today Waiuku was beaten by a better side. The scoreline was a little unjust but the young players will take some lessons out of this. I was at fault for changing the formation when I thought we had a chance to get back in the game after half time and it left us a little exposed at the back. Young Mitch Thomasen had a great game and he gets man of the match today."

Waiuku have Warkworth on Saturday but are home on Eastern Monday against third placed North Shore.