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Gaffer posted on April 20, 2009 18:14
Waiuku went into the battle against Three Kings with the depth of their squad being challenged like never before. Three Kings have a number of the National League club Auckland City including Auckland City coach Paul Marshall who is helped by New Zealand National Coaching Academy coach Aaron McFarland as assistant. But coaching an exceptional pool of talent that is on hand for the coaching team at Three Kings makes their job a lot easier and it would be hard to argue that Three Kings are not the best team in this division.
Travelling to Keith Hay Park without 7 first team players meant that Waiuku had a huge challenge in front of them especially as Three Kings had already beaten Pukekohe 6-0 and Mangere 6-3. Due to the suspension of Grant Muckle, centre mid Wayne Trout filled the centre back role while Robert Thornton and Kenny Nicoll took their places alongside Charlie Heather in the midfield. Jesse Smythe Kirk started up front despite being in bed with a virus all week.
After six minutes, Waiuku knew how large the challenge ahead of them was going to be when the quick attacking Alejandro Blanco chipped Phil Van den Broek in goal from nearly 40 yards out only to see the shot come back off the post. However two minutes later Three Kings went 1-0 up when Nick Keown Robson beat the offside trap and beat van den Broek. Not long after the home side went 2-0 up this time when a ball was played from the right in towards the front post and it was prodded home by Stuart Hogg. On the twenty minute mark Nick Keown was lucky to be called onside as the Waiuku defense stepped up but he broke free and again made no mistake to make it 3-0. Then Blanco played in Nick Keown for his hatrick who out muscled vice captain Jerry Hubbard and smacked it into the net for 4-0. The fifth goal had an element of luck as first Keown Robson was called onside as he broke free and when David Johnson went to make a tackle he hit the player instead outside the box. However Keown Robson landed in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Blanco made no mistake for 5-0.
Any team going into the half time shed 5-0 down has not only a physical challenge in front of them but also a psychological challenge. However Waiuku stepped up to both. The centre back pairing of Trout and Hubbard were tremendous and the Waiuku team started to get their foot on the ball and play football. While not having the same possession stakes as Three Kings in the second half, Waiuku still managed to attack but without any real venom. Trout still had to clear off the line while van den Broek made some strong saves to keep the second half scoreless.
Waiuku coach Jim Evans was proud of his players "It is hard enough coming here with a full strength side never mind missing a few players. We had two subs on the bench who were also not 100% fit so we didnt have many options but the players on the park did give it all they had. Make no mistake Three Kings are the best footballing team in this league and their movement on and off the ball was exceptional. The Waiuku players have seen a very high standard of football and even though we were continuously chasing the ball, we have gained some valuable experience. Man of the match was between the two centre backs and Thornton but Trout took it out."
Three Kings coach Paul Marshall had this to say" Of course we are disappointed to not add to the score in the second half but we are happy with the three points. Credit to Waiuku for a much better second half. I have to thank the Three Kings administration for creating such a great football pitch. As the Auckland City coach I can compare this Keith Hay Park pitch to the Kiwitea Street park. My man of the match is Keown Robson".
Waiuku take on Tauranga City at Massey Park next weekend at 2.45pm.
Team: Phil van den Broek, David Johnson, Jerry Hubbard (vc), Wayne Trout, Vaughan Banfield, Robert Thornton, Kenny Nicoll (Joe Rayson 75), Charlie Heather, Cody Ralph (c), Daniel Baldwin, Jesse Smythe Kirk
Subs not used: Scott Petersen, Justin Baldwin