Men's Thirds v Bay Olympic

The men's thirds took on Bay Olympic Shakers on Saturday, hoping to put back to back wins together for the fist time since the opening 2 rounds.

Pukekohe again made a slow start, as seems to be the case with this lot, but solid defending ensured we kept the score to 0-0 as we gained momentum in the game.

The opening goal came from a great passing move, but was actually a rather unlucky own goal by the Bay Olympic captain. George hassled and fought hard to get a through ball back into his possession and when he crossed it it into the box it hit one defender on the foot before ricocheting up and off the captains head into the goal. Jammy I suppose, but the build up deserved it. 1-0 Puke.

The second goal was a premonition come true. No, not by Preacher Harold Camping, but by the very goal scorer himself- Mathew Goulstone. Mat had cheekily text me prior to the game and asked to play up front, just kidding of course. But he did mention he had a feeling he would score today. I told him to go up for corners from his usual position of left back, but when Si subbed off to change his boots and Mat was on the side I told him he had his chance. Well wouldn't ya know it- he scored after being on 3 mins. Jay Pressnell showed his skill on the ball to beat a few players in the box and square the ball to Mat, who finished calmly into the bottom left corner. 2-0 Puke.

That was the half time score and having played into the wind, Puke could sense an easier half coming with it at our backs. This proved to be accurate, but not so much in the score line.

The third goal came so quickly in the second half the opposition didn't know what hit them. A neat ball through in front of Si split the defense and Si easily placed it past the approaching keeper. Probably only 2 mins gone in the half and it looked as though a big score may be coming. 3-0 Puke.

Many more didn't come, but Jay Pressnell deservedly added our fourth goal with about half an hour gone in the 2nd half. When a free kick was won approximately 25m out from goal and fairly much in front, Jay stepped up and placed it directly over the keeper into the top right corner with this deadly left foot. Quality finish. 4-0 Puke.

As it looked like we may finish with our first clean sheet of the season, Bay Olympic managed to pounce on a loose ball in Pukekohe's penalty box and slot it home to make the final score 4-1.

It could have been 5-1, and so begins the 'Knob of the day' explanation. After the ref awarded a penalty for a clear push in JR's back in the box, Si stepped up to add what should have been his 2nd of the game. He slotted it beautifully into the bottom left corner, but as the ref had not yet blown the whistle, it didn't count. Re-take... Look out kids in the playground! The second attempt to score from the spot soared high, wide and not so handsome toward the clubrooms. Si was devastated, and Clive rapt to have found a worthy recipient of the 'knob'.

Thanks heaps to the ref Mark, and his son for doing the line. They both did a great job and the game flowed very nicely. Both teams commented on what an enjoyable game it was to play.

It was also great to have the Bay Olympic boys come in for a beer, the only team in our division who we have played at home to even use our change rooms, let alone stay for a drink.

I thought that was the only reason why we still played at this level?

Next game- away v Ellerslie, Michaels Ave 2 @ 1:00pm.