THE NEWSLETTER OF WAIUKU AFC
August 22, 2007
Singing when we’re winning!
Well it’s been a pretty good year for the club in 2007 and things could well get even better over the next few weeks. The Kentish Premiers can not do worse than second in Super Division and while it would take some oddball results for us to win from here, you never know. The Mens Reserves would need to forget how to play not to win their league from here, so put money on them to claim the Auckland fourth division title, and our Premier Ladies have their sights set on the Federation Knockout Cup after bowling championship contenders Western Springs last week.
It’s been great to log into the Federation website in recent weeks and see our club logo on the lead articles as both mens and womens sides carry the flag for our club.
Talking about cup chases – let’s not forget that the Prems are looking to make it back-to-back Counties Cup titles for Waiuku – the first time ever in our history, and based on the way we comprehensively outplayed Pukekohe last week we must be favourites for the title. Jimmy will be playing down our chances, like all good coaches, but from a supporter’s point of view things are looking pretty damn good.
And STILL talking about cup chases – the Prems and Reserves might be grabbing the headlines but this weekend Mandy’s mighty Third team have a home semi-final in their combined division plate championship, facing Ellerslie at George Street.
But wait, there’s more! With championship chases everywhere the poor old womens reserves haven’t been gathering much publicity – in any other season we would have been singing their praises as they look to beat Waiheke and go second in their league on Sunday.
Everywhere you look there’s a Waiuku team at the pointy end of one competition or another and we’ve still got the Counties Cup, Tom McNabb Champions Trophy and our very own Copper Eights mens and womens tournaments to look forward to.
What a season!
Football this weekend!
Some pretty important matches are scheduled this weekend, as one could guess with the various competitions coming to an end.
At home on Saturday are two crucial matches – the Kentish Premiers take on cellar dwellers Metro at 2.45, while at the same time The Mens Thirds take on Ellerslie in their Cup semi-final. Both sides need a win for different reasons – for the Prems it’s in the hope that Waiheke stumble, while it’s do or die for Mandy’s men as they hunt a final for the first time in their history.
Away on Saturday are the all-conquering Reserves. They have what should be, on paper, a straightforward match against bottom of the table South Auckland Rangers. We’ve got 35 points in the championship, they’ve got seven, and the goal difference between the two sides is a staggering 81 goals in our favour. BUT, coach Peter will be hammering the point home to his lads that complacency can kill you. The equation’s pretty simple – win on Saturday and take the title for 2007. Peter won’t settle for anything less.
On Sunday there’s a couple of crunch matches as well.
Would you believe it – but seven days after tipping them out of the womens knockout cup, Cody’s Angels are facing Western Springs again. The Westies will be hungry for revenge and the question is whether our girls can back up again after Sunday’s stunning effort. The away match is at 11.00am and you could forgive our girls for relaxing a bit but Cody will know there’s no better preparation for their next cup game than by facing one of the best in the league.
Meanwhile, back at Massey it’s that old battle of Waiheke and Waiuku again, this time in the ladies competition. Dale and his girls will be looking to knock the league leaders over and secure second place in the championship with a round to go. These girls have been in great goalscoring form this year and if you are around the town on Sunday this will be one of the matches of the weekend. Get along and give the girls some support!
Our sponsors rock!
A great football club needs some great sponsors and we’ve got some of the best around. In case you haven’t caught up with the news, the Kentish Hotel is down to the last four in the national Best Pub competitions and they are looking to get the Best Country Pub title when the awards are announced in Wellington next month. Next time you’re in there, give Jimmy and Giselle our congratulations!
Also on the sponsor front – if you are looking at updating your vehicle now or soon, get yourself down to Ross Tindle Motors right here in Waiuku. Ross and Craig have been so impressed by the club’s success this year they are doing something a bit special for the soccer club and its supporters. Have a chat to them about the special deals on offer, and remember they do finance, warranties and basically everything you need to make buying a car as easy as possible.
You don’t even have to see a car on their yard for them to get you into just the right vehicle – just talk to any number of people around the town who have had vehicles specially brought in for them. If you have a particular car, van, ute or truck in mind, give them a call and just tell them what you want and what you want to pay (you can probably even specify the colour). They’ll use their contacts to sort out the vehicle for you and you won’t have to spend your valuable footballing time wandering around yards and being accosted by salespeople you don’t know.
Besides anything else, we want Ross to keep that sponsorship coming, and a bunch of club people buying their cars off him will help that cause!
That goes for all of our sponsors by the way lads and ladies – you know who supports us, so if you have a choice, support them what support us!
Counties Cup bus trip
By this weekend we will have details of the supporters bus for the Cup. The match is on September 1 and tickets will be limited. It will be first-in, first paid and there will be a ticket list at the bar. Cost is being finalized but it won’t break the bank. It’s a great trip and even better when we come home with the silverware!
That’s about it for now – any breaking news will be flicked around the group. Keep safe and we’ll seeya at Massey Park. Let’s keep this winning feeling going!
Cheers, Nigel.