Over 35 s 3 Onehunga Mangere 1

Over 35’s took on a Onehunga Mangere side on a lovely Saturday afternoon at Bledisloe Park. It was a scorching day and the weather didn’t really help the old boys out.

The game started with Puke playing some good attractive football and opening 30 mins. Infact a couple of minutes into it, a neat pass played through from our new recruit Russell Evans to put Marti Round through and his cross was blocked by an Onehunga defender, forcing the corner. The corner was taken by big John Mclaughlan and finding myself at the back post and with a strong header beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by an opposing defender. Unlucky lads, keep playing this way and the chances will come.

Well within the next couple of mins another break with a good ball played through to Marti Round who knocked it across the box and the ball, neatly chipped back across the box from Andy Davey, found my head and 1 – 0 Puke.

A few minutes later a great ball played through the midfield from Davy Bernard to set Pete Clark away down the left and with good pace managed to round the defender and put through a low cross just in front of Onehunga’s keeper and landed perfectly at my feet which gave me the option of a simple tap in 2 0 Puke.

The first 20 mins or so was all Pukekohe, but then Onehunga started to knock the ball around nicely and with some great work at the back from Mark Harvey and Dolly as stand in keeper and a big thank you for that (another outstanding game), we were able to cope with anything they threw at us pretty comfortably. Infact all the defenders played superbly, big John Mac was strong in every challenge, Mark Harvey's speed and awareness of the situation kept them at bay and with some great clearances from Roysa, it was looking good. It was Mark Edwards first game for us and slotted into the left back position superbly, showing good pace and skill and was certainly a contender for player of the day.

The work rate in midfield was exceptional on such a hot day, Russell and Davy Barnard worked tirelessly and believe you, me it was hard work out there. With Andy Davey’s pace and relentless running up front, we created numerous more chances with Andy going close twice and Marti Round narrowly missing the left hand post and Pete Clark going close.

Onehunga then made a couple of good chances them selves and for once we weren’t able to clear the imminent danger and Onehunga scored to go in at the break 2 -1.

The half- time team talk was, just keep doing what were doing and we will win this.

Back into it and Onehunga started the stronger and knocked the ball around nicely making us do all the chasing, but before long the our midfield ground them down and we started to get more of the ball, with Nick Rowe strong in the challenge creating some more good breaks down the right and left flanks created numerous chances, with Andy Davey hitting the woodwork twice in the space of a couple of minutes.

Then a good pass played from midfield to Nick Rowe who slotted it through to myself, turned and wrong footed the keeper, managed to flick it back passed him looking like it may just sneak in at the far post, when up pops Andy Davey and with great strikers instinct wasn’t waiting to see if it was going in or not, smashed it in to the roof of the net 3 – 1 Puke.

As the game wore on we became more defensive with playing a more of a 1 5 4 formation, just get me 3 points and I’ll be happy.

With some heavy and tired legs we were still able to play some very neat football out of our defence orchestrated by Phil Taylor which was great and enabled us to work the ball and create chances down their end rather than, the immediate pressure returning.

Lads great display of guts and determination, there were 13 contenders for player of the day, the main 4 being, Mark Edwards, Mark Harvey, Dave Barnard and Russell Evans with the eventual title going to Russell Evans for a tireless display involving some neat touches.

Player of the Day:    Russell Evans

Goals                       J Waller (2), Andy Davey 1

Next week away to Fencibles 2.45 kick off.