It was difficult to imagine what to expect from a Waiuku vs Papakura match up, but we’re pretty certain a dominant 4-1 victory (which could easily have been 8 or 9) was a much more exciting outcome than most were predicting.
From start-to-finish it was a performance that told the story of what the 2008 Waiuku squad is capable of. Had the finishing been even a touch more clinical, the Papakura team could have been looking down the barrel of a very heavy loss but nevertheless, Waiuku were more than satisfied with the 4-1 result given the circumstances.
Waiuku played a confident game, and didn’t fear knocking the ball around comfortably and simply working together to alleviate pressure when necessary. But just as at Pukekohe, the formidable strike force of Cody and John Kingsley, with lightning wingers Danny and Greg regularly demonstrated what they were capable of, splitting the Papakura defence line time and time again.
Again, as per the Pukekohe match, it took a while for the whole squad to gel entirely, but when we put the complete performance together Waiuku looks a very dangerous prospect. A number of early chances were tipped away by some good goal-keeping, and the finishing was not quite on the ball in the first 20 minutes, but spectators could tell from the style that the game appeared well under control.
Mid-way through the first half, the dead-lock was broken with a bustly finish from the new Scot on the block, Derek in centre midfield. This was well received and felt like things could only get better from there. Unfortunately, late in the first half a defensive error by Dale Oliver conceded the ball in midfield followed immediately by an uncharacteristic second error by Robbie Thornton on the edge of the box conceded a one on one finish that Papakura took, tying the game. But from the Waiuku team’s perspective, it was now just a matter of focussing, and finishing the job they started – no time for sorries!
And this is exactly what happened! Shortly before half-time, Danny Baldwin slotted past an unwitting keeper to give Waiuku the 2-1 lead into the break. The second half was nearly one-way traffic. Papakura put a couple of reasonable strikes on goal but from well outside the box, and even in dim light, keeper Justin Baldwin palmed them away comfortably. There were also a couple of dicey moments in a scattered defence line when a trial change in formation was set in place with the more attacking 4-3-3. Other than that though, Waiuku dominated proceedings. A second brilliant high-speed finish from Danny Baldwin and a clinical closing strike from John Kingsley locked the game out at 4-1.
Post match rumours that it can’t have been Papakura’s first team sparked a bit of discussion… but confirmation from Papakura “spies” indicate that certainly 9 players were recognised 1st teamers for the 2008 season. Regardless, it is a performance we can well be proud of and certainly instils Waiuku with confidence that we are not over-stepping our station with the entry into the Northern Region Football League.