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Jason Heather posted on August 30, 2010 07:13
Bledisloe Park was the venue for the second Franklin derby of the season and once again the Waiuku Wolf and Beaver Premiers took the points, beating Pukekohe AFC 3-0. A good sized crowd turned up with fans from both clubs hoping to see an entertaining game.
Pukekohe started strong; bombing the ball forward at every opportunity hoping for young striker Jethro Conway to latch on to something and take the lead. The Waiuku defense, however, were far too experienced to fall for this basic strategy and were able to defend well every time. The game was only twelve minutes old when Waiuku broke the deadlock. After being fouled near the corner flag, Shane Goddens free kick found Jerry Hubbard in the box; the big defender climbed above everyone and put a bullet header into the net. Pukekohe were dealt another blow not long after when Waiuku left back Darren Woolnough was scythed down well after playing the ball, the referee had no hesitation in showing the offending player a straight red card and the home team were down to 10 men. Pukekohe had to defend hard and kept the score to 1-0 going into the break.
Waiuku came out in the second half with a view to putting the game out of Pukekohe's reach but a poor playing surface hampered their usual fluent passing game. Pukekohe dug in deep with some very physical play and the referee was having trouble controlling the hard hitting game. With thirty minutes remaining, Waiuku coach Jim Evans replaced Sam Van Pomeron and Danny Baldwin with the fresh legs of brothers Andy and Simon Millynn. This had an immediate effect when Simon put a through ball to brother Andy, running at goal the Pukekohe defense converged on him expecting a shot, instead a clever cross found Derek Sinclair, unmarked, at the far post and he headed home from a very tight angle. Sinclair netted again only minutes later but the assistant referee judged Godden to be off-side and the goal was ruled out even though he wasnt interfering with play. The home side tried to counter but nothing was going their way and this was clear when ex Pukekohe player Jamie Pegg crossed a ball for Andy Millynn, instead of finding him it was cut out by a defender who only succeeded in putting it over the keeper and into his own net. The game finished 3-0 securing three valuable points for the visitors.
Coach Jim Evans was happy with the win "This is always a hard place to play against a team who can undo you if you are not prepared enough. However we controlled the game from start to finish today - it wasnt pretty but it is the three points we needed to stay in the race for first. Man of the match was Robbie Leonard but Jamie Pegg pushed him close. Next week is a must win at home against Fencibles."
Waiuku are now fourth in the League 2 standings, but only on goal difference, with 35 points. Tauranga City and Hibiscus Coast are also on 35 points with Mangere United top with 37. Winning the two remaining games is crucial for all four clubs if they if they want to be crowned League 2 champions. Waiuku host Fencibles AFC at Massey Park next week, kick off 2:45.