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Gaffer posted on March 30, 2009 09:28
Waiuku hosted the annual derby day against Pukekohe in the weekend but the catch this time round was the Northern 1 premier league game was not a friendly as there were three points at risk in the first competition game of the season. In what is always a close game due to the emotion of derby football, this year the intensity was not quite there but the supporters who turned up to watch still got an entertaining game of football.
Waiuku started with a diamond formation in midfield due to injuries of wide players which took a little time to get used to. Pukekohe took full advantage of this and took control of the game early on. Pukekohe had the ball in the net when a ball was nodded home from close range from man of the match Robbie Leonard but he was deemed offside by the linesman in what was a close call. Waiuku was spurred on by this let off and strikers Cody Ralph and Jesse Smythe Kirk pushed the football to the other end of the pitch.
Waiuku went ahead when Geoff Rickard could not keep up with the pace of Smythe Kirk and brought him down just outside the box. Rickard was sent off and when Joe Rayson took the freekick, the goalkeeper could only parry it into the path of Ralph who scored from close range. Pukekohe was still playing the better football but 15 minutes later Waiuku went 2-0 up. Again the Pukekohe defence could not keep up with Smythe Kirk and as he broke free he passed the ball into the path of Ralph who made no mistake.
In the second half Waiuku came close numerous times, hitting the post three times and forcing the Pukekohe goalkeeper into a class save. Charlie Heather was unlucky when he saw his 25 yard drive rebound back off the post while Smythe Kirk could easily of scored a hatrick if he was inches closer with his efforts.
Despite Pukekohe's dominance in possession they really only tested Justin Baldwin in goal once. A freekick from the right was hit from six yards and Baldwin got down to push it onto Vaughan Banfield who cleared off the line for a corner. Waiuku shut up shop after this by changing the formation and closed out the game.
Coach Jim Evans was happy with three points but understood that Waiuku has some work to do "the preseason has not been at the level that we would of liked due to Albany and AFC Fury cancelling games which were important to our build up. If you add the injuries we have to key players such as Derek Sinclair, Danny Baldwin, Dale Oliver and Jamie Pegg, there is no doubt in my mind that we went into this game underdone. Plus we asked man of the match Wayne Trout to play with a back problem but he showed great commitment and attitude in getting around the park like he did. However we still showed we have the depth to be able to compete this year and when all is said and done I am of course very happy with the three points."
Pukekohe coach Dave Wright reflected on the result" Of course we wanted to win but I am happy with where we are. We have a good mix of experience and youth and the addition of three Tongan boys have strengthened our squad. We played the better football and maybe the early sending off of Geoff Rickard was the turning point in the game. A special mention must go to Jason Paranihi who has been a stalwart of Pukekohe Football club for many years and he is moving on for family reasons. We wish Jason the best of luck in the future."
Team: Justin Baldwin, David Johnson, Jeremy Hubbard (vc), Grant Muckle, Vaughan Banfield, Robert Thornton (Ken Nicoll 71), Wayne Trout, Joe Rayson, Charlie Heather, Cody Ralph (c), Jesse Smythe Kirk (Matt Nugent 77)
Subs not used: Jamie Pegg, Luke Sutton, Scott Petersen, Phil van der Broek, Caine Robbie
Pukekohe took out the derby day celebrations 5-1 by winning the other five games