THE NEWSLETTER OF WAIUKU AFC
MAY 4, 2007
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of New World Waiuku AFC
Yes, I know it’s been a while…..
We just don’t seem to talk any more…sigh…
Yep, I’m aware it’s been a while since your in-boxes were thrilled by the sight of the Blues News, but this mild mannered reporter has been saving the world (images of me in Lycra are now flashing through your mind) and has been unable to write words and stuff.
However; the world having been saved, here’s another exciting episode about the boys (and girls) in blue. Read on, Macduff…..*
*For those of you not up on your Shakespeare, ‘Read on, Macduff’ is a take-off of the phrase ‘lead on, Macduff’ which relates to the final lines in Macbeth. Of course, in the play itself, Macbeth says ‘lay on, Macduff’ but the more common usage nowadays is the (incorrect) Lead on, Macduff. For those who have bothered reading this footnote this far, Macbeth’s final line is actually Lay on, Macduff, and damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!
Something to do with this piece of information WILL be in the quiz night this year…
Everyone in the top three by the end of the weekend?
A glance through the points standings for Waiuku sides at this stage of the season shows that with the right results, almost every team can finish the weekend in the top three of their leagues. The Mens Reserves are the only ones who can’t quite make the jump, but a win will put them up in the top half of a tight table and right in the hunt for points. For everyone else, the chance is there to be taken.
Kentish Premiers: At home, 2.45pm v Waiheke, Massey Number One.
Mens Reserves: At home 1.00pm v South Auckland Rangers, Massey One.
Goals galore at Massey on the weekend, or will two attacking-minded sides cancel each other out? That’s the question as Waiuku and Waiheke go head-to-head at the Fortress at 2.45.
Waiheke will be cock-a-hoop after smashing eight goals past University Mt Wellington last week, but that was at home, and this side does not travel well. For the first time though, they are bringing pretty much a full-strength squad to Massey Park and spectators can expect a physical encounter.
My Waiheke spy tells me it was a rugged match against Mt Wellington, with the visitors down to the bare 11 after they lost a player with a broken shoulder, and several of the others were walking wounded. Don’t take anything away from the Waiheke performance though – eight goals means their strikers are on target and this Saturday’s match-up is one both teams look forward to.
A win for fourth-placed Waiuku could put them clear second on the table, as Waiheke are third. Pukekohe are second, but only a couple of points away and everyone’s hoping someone can beat leaders Mt Albert Ponsonby, who already have an early break on the field. It won’t be this week though – as MAP take on cellar-dwellers Metro. Pukekohe host Mangere, who could spring an upset, and the other important game is Suburbs against Lynn Avon. It would help Waiuku’s cause if Lynn Avon could manage a draw in this one, but first things first, we need the three points on Saturday.
Cody Ralph is leading the club’s goalscoring chart after his Mangere hat-trick on Anzac Day, but the word is Matty Whittaker is unlikely to play after suffering an injury against Three Kings, so this could open a spot for a striker to be promoted – or could we see the return of the uncompromising Johnny Whittaker to scare the pants off the Waiheke defensive unit? All will be revealed on Saturday…
Prediction and Players to watch: The way Waiheke play will mean we need a big defensive effort from Grant Muckle to shut down the aerial attack, but they do tend to open out in midfield on defence, which will give Owen Hill a chance for his trademark 28-yard bullet drives on goal. If he laces one or two properly, I’d pick him to be on the score sheet come Saturday night. I’m picking a 5-1 win to the Blues.
The curtain-raiser sees the Reserves against SAR, and desperate for some points to get a ranking that truly reflects their football. They are close to the bottom of the table early in the competition, but the side they drew with in the first match is leading – it’s going to be a tight competition. A win for the Reserves would jump them as high as fourth or fifth, and then just a few points from the top of the table. Rangers are three spots and two points above them on the table, and this Reserves side is quite capable of grabbing a win. It’s a new-look line-up, but indications are that Peter has the lads beginning to gel, and once it all comes together they’ll be a force for anyone to tackle – look out the Counties Cup!
Players to watch: The whisper is to expect an exciting striking combination; and expect a big game from Justin in goal, who has been in stunning form recently. A tough encounter against a team in form, but the Reserves are ready to make it happen. 4-2 to the lads.
Thirds away v Bay Olympic, 2.45pm, Crum Park 3
They’ve been under the radar a bit this year, but the Third team finally has some real depth, with plenty of players and the coaches having to learn how to make substitutions – they’ve never had to before!
They are fifth at the moment and playing third-placed Bay Olympic for a podium spot at this stage. Mandy and Andy have the team playing as a unit, with a fine combination of some up and coming players and some real experience in midfield.
Prediction and Players to watch: Micheal Coster is due a goal, and the ageless Gary Reid has been dominating his markers all year. At home, I’d pick the Thirds to win this, but away I reckon a point will be good reward. I’m hoping for better, but I reckon 2-2 at the whistle.
Womens Premiers away to Lynn Avon, 11am Sunday, Ken Maunder 1:
It was a Waiuku side playing on Ken Maunder 1 that sprung the Chatham Cup surprise of the season in 2006. It’s a happy hunting ground for Waiuku, but Lynn Avon are to womens football what Italian teams are to the Champions League. They are always there or thereabouts and very tough to beat at home.
Our girls have the players to do it, but this is going to be a big step up.
On the plus side, Lynn Avon appear not to quite have the depth they’ve had in previous seasons, and it’s a very even league – no-one has gone unbeaten and although Waiuku are fifth, they are just a point from being tied for the top. Leagues don’t get much more even that this!
It’s a hard match to call, with the two teams only having played the same team once – Waiuku beating Springs’s second team 1-0, and Lynn Avon beating the same opposition by four. Lynn Avon are in good goal-scoring form, and if Waiuku are to win, they’ll have to score three; I can’t see us keeping them to less than 2. I’m hoping for a 3-2 win, but I reckon it’ll be a 2-1 loss. Prove me wrong ladies!
Womens Reserves away to Onehunga-Mangere, 11am, Sunday, Centre Park 3
This one could be a huge match, not only for the league, but also for the club’s top goalscorer trophy. The Waiuku Reserves sit in fourth, with the chance to go close to the top with a win; and they are facing a side which has leaked 16 goals in three matches. First-up, they need the three points, but there’s a real chance here for someone to overtake Cody Ralph as the club’s top goalscorer. The strikers and midfield will be keen as mustard for some quality ball, and if the defence does its job, I reckon Waiuku will come home comfortably. Onehunga are likely to grab a goal themselves – they’ve proved they have a bit of talent up front, but we should win.
My prediction: The coaching staff will drill into the girls to play simple, direct football in front of goal, and they’ll come home with three points and a 5-1 win.
Coming Up:
The first club function of the year is at the end of this month; start saving now! Full details will be in the next newsletter. Seeya Saturday!!!