Cup quarters without conceeding a goal.

Playing a team 2 divisions higher than us in the league is a tough ask, but when they are going well and lying 2nd in that league only behind the leaders on goal difference, and full of the confidence from only having lost twice all season, it gets tougher still. Turning up to play them in the cup with 11 players, and several first choices missing, you might suggest is asking for trouble, but that’s exactly what Puke reserves did against Manurewa.

Before getting into the main report, I would like to give a big rap to Eddie and Butts. These guys typify what team sport is all about. Once again on Sunday both played in different positions due to absentees, and both did so without any moaning or complaining and both gave their all for the team. They have both done that all season, and have conducted themselves superbly, well done to both of you and thank you.

In the dressing room, much was made of attitude and if we did concede not to let our heads drop. This was tested out early as a relatively harmless ball over the top saw Andy Hey back pedalling, head the ball over the top of the rapidly advancing Trent into an empty net. It must be something in the Hey family genes surely? The score at all costs, I don’t care if we are going the other way mentality.

Shortly after we found ourselves 2 down from a corner that went in off of a shoulder, time to dig deep! In truth they were totally dominating procession having gone to 3 at the back and pushed an extra man into midfield. After 25 minutes of running our preverbials off we sussed this out and pulled Wiz back into midfield to even things out. Leaving Aydhan upfront alone cut down our attacking options, but actually having more of the ball meant that the game moved more into midfield than our box, and we had the odd attack. At half time the score stood at 2-0.

Jez had arrived during the first half, and was brought on at half time to replace Eddie who looked in need of oxygen, followed quickly by a fag and pint. Nevertheless Tom had only minor points to make, accepting that we had not played too badly against a good footballing team. Shortly after the re-start Manurewa had a shot and quite inexplicably, with no Puke defender within 5m a corner was given, I think the referees assistant was put off by the blinding sun that shone on that side though to be fair. From the resulting corner the Manurewa left back hit a 25 yard screamer right into the top corner. Good goal, no doubt about it.

At 3-0 I encouraged the team not to go down without a fight, maybe I should have chosen my words more carefully, as Aydhan promptly received a straight red. There are many teams that would have folded at this point, but instead sleeves were rolled up and we really dug in. In fact in the remaining 30 minutes we had 2 good shouts for penalties declined, one for a handball, and one where Josh was felled. Regardless that they were not given, we held our shape well, pressed the ball and deservedly held the score as it was. That was a huge effort guys, against by far the best team we have played this year, and a performance which everybody concerned can feel rightly proud of.

Wiz was given the man of the match for us, and I agree, it was without doubt the most mobile I have ever seen him, and he made a great contribution. For me though the moment of the match was seeing Marty Bennett charge past us all into the Manurewa half, comfortably 20m further forward than the rest of us. God forbid that Wiz had found him with the pass, imagine if he had scored? The trivia questions would abound, well done Marty, those new boots mate, awesome.