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Jon Waller posted on May 01, 2011 07:56
Pukekohe earned a hard-fought win over Onehunga Sports thanks to Graham Spinx 2nd half special.
The home side took an early lead from some lose defending from Pukekohe midway through the first half, as keeper John Mclaughlan could only parry the oppositions shot which rebounded and the opposing striker was positioned nicely on-hand to make sure, 1 - 0 Onehunga.
Pukekohe dominated much of the play with the strong midfield of Russell Evans and Marty Mercer, showing great energy and providing a great platform for the Pukekohe forwards. Jon Waller and Robbie Leonard going close on a couple of occasions after some great through balls.
The encounter was played at a high tempo throughout with plenty of attacking intent on display.
But Pukekohe got a deserved equaliser in the 25th minute when Andy Davey latched on to Nick Rowe pass to unleash a superb 16-yard strike and smash it into the top left-hand corner. Onehunga 1 Pukekohe 1.
Then with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining, Andy Davey was fouled outside the Onehunga area. The free kick was neatly chipped into the oppositions penalty area just over the head of the two Puke attackers failing perfectly for Robbie Leonard who vollied it home, but unfotunately was deemed to be off-side.
The instruction at half time was to do much of the same thing as we were dominating play, creating good chances, but failing to put the ball in the back of the net, so this was the only thing that needed change.
As the second half began, Pukekohe knocked the ball around nicely with some good chasing down the right flank from Robbie Leonard and great running in the middle from Peter Clark, every defenders nightmare.
But it was Pukekohe who appeared to have taken control in the second half, while Onehunga struggled to retain possession.
Yet again we were creating numerous chances but couldnt finish. The opposition strike-force was kept fairly quite through some great play from the Harveymeister and Clyde marshalling there troops excellently. Marty Round had a strong game at right back and Mark Edwards terminated every break, they tried to create using there pace down the right.
The game changed decisively when mid-way through the second half Pukekohe were awarded a throw on the half-way line. Mark Edwards found Graham in space and he knocked the ball into the space, carried it for about 10 yards and as the opposing defender came out to clear the danger, just absolutely smashed it spectacularly from 30 yards out.
The ball, curved, swirled, dipped and the Hunga keeper could only manage to get his finger tips to it as it rattled the back of the net. 2 - 1 Puke, great goal Graham. (For anyone in the clubrooms after the game the description was still fresh in my mind as I think it was mentioned once or twice!!)
The away side controlled proceedings after the break, with Pete Clark twice seeing goalbound efforts blocked by the Onehunga defence. Russell Evans and Andy Davey went close with Russell clipping the bar from 20 yards out. Unlucky lads!
However, Pete Clark ensured Pukekohe took all three points as he instinctively put the ball beyond the reach of the outstretched Onehunga keeper's arms, after a great break down the middle with Marty Mercer doing all the work.
Id like to take this chance to thank Tony Davison for running the line and refereeing the second half, great to have referee of your stature to call on.
All in all a great effort, this win will keep us up near the top of the table showing that we deserve to be there while next week sees us away to Waiuku, a must win for all concerned.
Player of the day will give Graham Spinks for that spectacular goal, with a friendly reminder that when youve got to free players around you unmarked, dont bother with them, just smash it into the top corner, well done mate.
POD: Graham Spinks
Goals: A Davey, Graham Spinks, Pete Clark.
Goal Scorers to date: J Waller 4, Robbie Leonard 2, Andy Davey 2, Graham Spinks 1 and Pete Clark 1