On Saturday the Over 35s took on an Onehunga outfit at Bledisloe Park. In all honesty the pitch looked like Wembley after the last match played on it 2 weeks ago. Pukekohe kicked off and the 3 points on offer were crucial as the other top side had had their game postponed. It was going to be a tough encounter as we hadnt trained for 3 weeks or played for 2. Pukekohe started well some neat football in the middle of the park between Davy Barnard and Marty Mercer, setting away Russell Evans down the right flank, knocking a great ball into Andy Davey only to see it go narrowly wide.
Onehunga are a good middle of the table outfit and played the game in a great spirit, knocked the ball around nicely at times, creating plenty of space in the midfield. After some good work by the defence, the ball was knocked forward to Pete Clark and winning a great chase was able to play the ball inside, find his team mate and with a deft chip from just outside the 18 yard box, the ball sailed into the top left-hand corner, 1 0 Puke.
With a good build up down the right instigated by John McLaughlan, set Russell Evans away and using his pace was able to round the full back and knock the ball across the box, Onehunga managed to half clear it and the ball rebounded back to Russell who saw the opportunity tried a quick shot, didnt quite catch it right and the ball rebounded to Andy Davey and slotted into the right-hand corner, good pressure and a great goal, 2 0 Puke.
As play continued, Onehunga were creating lots of space in the middle of the park, so it was decided we would bolster the midfield, with throwing Roysa into that area and changing to 4-5-1 formation. With Roysa winning the aerial battle and making some solid challenges, it gave us that bit more possession.
It seemed to work well and with some good midfield pressure forcing Onehunga mistakes and Pukekohe seeing that bit more of the ball. Then a good build up involving Mark Edwards and Marty Mercer saw the ball sent through to Pete Clark to chase and with Andy Davey lurking dangerously, Pete was able to intervene between the keeper and defender enough for the keeper to make a complete hash of it and as he charged back for the ball he missed, was simply beaten for pace by Andy Davey who was given a simple tap-in to make it 3 0 Puke.
At the half-time break, the team talk was as long as we could keep the energy levels up a 3 0 lead should be enough to see us through and so back into it.
Onehunga regrouped and came out in the 2nd half a more spirited outfit. They believed they could get something from this. As the second-half started onehunga were probably the stronger and created some good pressure but weren't able to really test us, as the defence marshalled by Mark Harvey and keeper Marty Round, were doing an outstanding job. Whenever they did look like breaking through, it was quickly nipped in the bud by the quickness of sweeper Mark Harvey, having a blinder in the centre of the defence.
As the legs were starting to get tired from both sides, it was the pace of Andy Davey that was creating the difference and with a great 60 metre ball knocked forward from John McLaughlan found Andy Davey and neatly knocking it inside for Graham Spinks shooting on the turn and as the ball bounced the keeper just managed to get his fingertips to it and turn it round for the corner.
More Puke pressure and as the Grahams corner was floated into the back post, with a great jump and a powerful header, the ball sailed millimetres over the bar, unlucky lads.
With more chasing of lost causes from Pete Clark, Andy Davey was able to find Graham again and he shot narrowly wide.
After some good pressure it was Onehunga striker who broke through and after an excellent clearing tackle from Mark Harvey, Onehunga earnt themselves a corner. The ball was whipped in and met at the front post by their striker who managed to glance it past the despairing dive of Marty Round, 3 1 Puke.
I would like take this opportunity to thank Tony Davison for refereeing, an excellent game and a creditable job, thanks TD.
We managed to keep the weary legs going and as tired as we were never gave up or looked like relinquishing the lead any further and thats how it finished.
There was some tired legs out there and the players that stood out were Andy Davey and Mark Harvey. So this week player of the day goes to Mark Harvey with some great tackling and covering play. Well done lads, great effort and put us back at the top of the division.
POD: Mark Harvey
Goals: Jon Waller, Andy Davey 2,
Goal Scorers to date: Andy Davey 9, Jon Waller 8, Robbie Leonard 4, Pete Clark 2, Graham Spinks 1 , John Mclaughlan 1, Nick Rowe 1, Dave Bernard 1 and Marty Mercer 1.
Training 6.30 Wednesday and next week we are home to take on Waiuku 2.45 pm kick off