Waiuku's Unbeaten Run Ends.

Waiuku AFC narrowly lost 4 3 to North Shore United at Allen Hill Stadium on Sunday to end their unbeaten run.

With both teams going into this fixture off the back of four games unbeaten and only being a point apart on the league table it was always going to be an entertaining match.

Waiuku got off to the better start with only six minutes gone when striker Grant Duncan rose to beat the keeper to a Darren Woolnough cross and headed home to put the visitors ahead. North Shore were rocked but retained their composure and the first half was played at a furious pace with both sides having chances including Waiuku winger Dom Winter who forced the home keeper into two good saves. With ten minutes of the half remaining Waiuku uncharacteristically lost concentration and twice gave the ball away in key areas and were punished for it by conceding two goals in quick succession; 3 1 to North Shore going into the break.

Waiuku now had a challenge on their hands and within 30 seconds of the restart it was clear this wasn’t going to be easy. Straight from the kick off keeper Stu Ruddell was forced into a one on one save resulting in a bloody nose. Then disaster struck for the visitors when North Shore scored a forth after a defensive mix up. With such a mountain to climb most teams would try to defend the game out but to their credit Waiuku had other ideas. It was now North Shore’s turn to feel under pressure as Waiuku went on the attack with chances from Robbie Leonard and Charlie Heather going begging. Waiuku’s determination paid off on the hour mark when after a battling run and a little luck midfielder Phil Donovan struck the ball which was deflected past the floundering keeper. The spirited fight back continued moments later when Robbie Leonard was brought down in the box leaving the referee no choice but to awarded a penalty. Darren Woolnough stepped up and coolly fired the ball into the roof of the net. Stu Ruddell also played his part in the resurgence with a string of fine saves on the few occasions that North Shore did threaten the Waiuku goal. With only seconds of the game remaining Derek Sinclair got his head to a Charlie Heather corner only to have it cleared off the line and the referee signaled the end of time leaving the Waiuku camp wondering what almost could have been.

After the game Waiuku coach Jim Evans said, “it was a great game of football to watch and if it wasn’t for the ten minutes before halftime I think we could have gone on to win it. We showed great character to come back from 4 1 down and we nearly got there. Phil Donovan had a great game and gets man of the match.”

Waiuku are back in action next week against Cambridge United at Massey Park. Kick off 2:45.

Team – Stu Ruddell, Arthur Hislop, Jerry Hubbard, Sam Van Pomeren, Darren Woolnough, Charlie Heather, Phil Donovan, Robbie Leonard, Dom Winter (Evan Crean 70), Derek Sinclair, Grant Duncan.

Subs not used – Phil Van Den Broek, Scott Petersen, Dave McCullagh, Neil Holyoake.