Waiuku beat Mangere in a thriller

Waiuku hosted Mangere at Massey Park this weekend with both teams needing the three points to stay in contention for promotion. Mangere narrowly missed out on a top 6 spot in round one so went into this game as slight favourites.

Waiuku were at full strength with Jamie Pegg getting 60 minutes in the reserve game after an ankle injury and he took his spot on the bench. Mangere are a fast and skilful team who push forward in numbers and they took the lead after 15 minutes. A cross from the left was not dealt with and a header was deemed to cross the line after hitting the post. Waiuku were slow to respond and were struggling with Mangere's pace through the middle of the park. However when Andy Millynn found his brother Simon who turned and attacked at pace, he passed to Cody Ralph who made no mistake in front of goal with his weaker foot. With five minutes remaining in the first half, Waiuku capitulated as Mangere scored two goals in quick succession. There was just enough time however for Ralph to score his second after Andy Millynn took off down the right and squared into the centre.

At halftime, Robbie Leonard entered the fray in place of Shane Godden who took a knock. Mangere scored next to make it 4-2 when the ball fell to the only Mangere player in the area and he finished smartly giving Justin Baldwin no chance. Then came the turning point of the game. A Mangere defender lashed out at Ralph and the referee sent both men packing from the field even though Ralph did nothing wrong. The game opened up and Elliott Crean came on for Simon Millynn as Waiuku changed formation. Andy Millynn knocked a deep ball into the Mangere last third and Derek Sinclair scored with a looping header after not giving up the chase. This only spurred Waiuku on and they found the equaliser when Darren Woolnough crossed from the left with the ball evading everyone apart from Andy Millynn who made no mistake. In the 87th minute Waiuku took the winner. A goalmouth scramble was finished into the roof of the net by Wayne Trout after Pegg knocked in a great ball to create the opportunity.

Coach Jim Evans was emotionally drained "You always get entertainment when you come to Massey Park and today was one of the best you could get. My players showed the courage and the heart to never give up and they get their just rewards with a vital three points. Jerry Hubbard played the whole second half with a cut head that needed stiches and that is just an example of the courage showed today. Andy Millynn was outstanding today and he takes man of the match."

Waiuku feature at home again next weekend with another must win game against Western Springs.

Team: Justin Baldwin, Andy Millynn, Sam van Pomeron, Jerry Hubbard (vc), Wayne Trout, Darren Woolnough, Danny Baldwin (Jamie Pegg 80), Simon Millynn (Elliott Crean 65), Shane Godden (Robbie Leonard 45), Cody Ralph (c), Derek Sinclair

Subs not used: Phil van den Broek, Charlie Heather, Mitchel Thomasen