On Saturday the Over 35’s travelled to Beachlands in what may determine the outcome of the division. Needing the vital 3 points, it was a rather slow start from Puke. Beachlands had the better of the opening exchanges and within minutes created enough pressure to nearly go 1 up, but thanks to a despairing save from Puke keeper Marty Round, kept the score-line level.
Another attack from Beachlands saw Puke, unable to clear the ball effectively and after several blocked shots later, Beachlands made no mistake and took the lead 1 – 0.
A bit of a wake-up call for us and at long-last started to play some better football with a great knock from Roysa who picked up the ball on the half-way line and knocked a great through ball to split the Beachlands defence and Andy Davey was on hand to take 1 touch around the keeper and slot home, levelling the scores at 1 – 1, great strikers goal.
For the second twenty minutes of the first-half we looked like a table topping outfit, with some good breaks down the left by Pete Clark, great running and chasing from Robbie Leonard, sending Andy Davey to go close again. The ref blew for half-time and we were well in this game at 1 – 1.
The half-time team talk was to “cut the crap” and just do the necessary on the field, if we want to win this division we have 45 minutes to prove ourselves.
Back into it and minutes into the second-half, a great through ball from Graham Spinks setting away a Puke striker, it was one of those balls couldn’t quite be headed and too far away for a volley, so with a little bit of intuition, kneed the ball over the keepers head and into the back of the net, 2 – 1 Puke.
As we got our tails up, Beachlands made a substitution and brought on an attacking midfielder with plenty of pace and it was only Mark Harvey’s pace at the heart of the defence that was able to match him, making some excellent challenges around our 18 yard box.
But after some more Beachlands pressure, there was a bit of a scramble within our 18 yard box and as a Puke player jumped to block the shot and it struck his hand and the penalty was awarded. Beachlands neatly slotted it away, and the score 2 – 2. We didn’t really deserve that, but the pressure they put us under was just reward.
We then picked up again and a great ball through from Russell Evans found his team-mate in space, took the defender away to set Graham free on the right and with only the keeper to beat, chipped towards the top left-hand corner, only to see it bounce off the underside of the bar, catch the back of the keeper, bounce on the line but unfortunately no-one was on hand to finish it off.
Then after some more Puke pressure, a great free-kick from John Mclaughlan sailed into the opposing penalty area, the keeper spilt it under pressure and the ball dropped onto the line, with the Puke striker about to pounce but the ball struck the defender on the line and was cleared. Unlucky lads.
Beachlands regained well and there next attack we were unable clear and before we knew it 3 – 2 down. Right lads 10 minutes to go and 2 of our best players on the bench, come on lads we need you was the call!
Enter Mark Harvey and Robbie Leonard. We decided to leave 3 at the back and play an extra man in midfield, when a loose ball was picked up by Mark Harvey, just inside his own half and with a superb pass found Robbie Leonard in the heart of the midfield, 1 touch (yes, that’s right Robbie took 1 touch!!) and knocked a superb through-ball to Andy Davey. He thought he’d over hit it and with anyone else up front it probably would have been, but not Andy Davey. He swooped through 3 defenders 1 touch around the keeper and slotted home the equaliser, just a replica of the first, great goal and 3 – 3 is how it finished.
We played well in parts, but looked a little but suspect under pressure, and I always find an equalising goal gives you 1 point gained rather than 2 lost and this keeps us 5 ahead of Beachlands, though they have 1 game in hand, so a great effort, we need to win the next two.
It was a tough call for player of the day this week as no-one really stood out, it was a gutsy performance all-round, and this week I am going to give it too Graham for his effort and the assist that helped us get back into it. Well done!
I'd like to take time to thank TD for all the help throughout the year and keeping us honest with his refereeing. Thanks for the effort Tony.
Referee: Tony Davison
POD: Graham Spinks
Goals: Andy Davey 2, Jon Waller
Goal Scorers to date: Jon Waller 14, Andy Davey 12, Robbie Leonard 6, Pete Clark 2, Dave Bernard 2, Marty Mercer 2, Graham Spinks 1, John Mclaughlan 1, and Nick Rowe 1.
Training 6.00pm Wednesday (at Club) and next week we are away to Onehunga Mangere, 2.45 kick off.