The Defence Rests........(Thankfully with no video!)

Western Springs Steamboats 5  Pukekohe  1 (Scorer: Seksit Techo.  HT 2 - 0)

Team: Trent Hirst, Matt Stewart, Ben Johnstone, Brendon Henry, Josh Wright, Chris Mahoney, Scott Kerr, Graham Spinks, Seksit Techo, Montri Techo, Adam Moorhouse.

Subs: Marcos, Gabriel, Rodrigo (Sorry lads, forgot the surnames!)

I hate going to Western Springs. It's not the mullets. It's not that it's so far away. It's just that, in my time as Reserve Team Coach, we're never had a win there. Sadly, the trend continued yesterday against the exotically named Western Springs Steamboats.

Yet again, it was a vastly changed team who took the field compared to last week. We were forced to make 5 changes from the side which took a point from Division 3's other Western Springs team last week, and it's obvious that our inability to field a settled side is already having a massively negative impact on our performances. Only 3 games into the season and we have already named 23 different players on the team cards!

Anyway, to the game itself. It's fair to say that our reshuffled back four didn't start the game particularly well. In addition to our customary frenetic start to the game, we introduced a new angle - the "score one, get one free" promotion. This meant that a decent Western Springs side merely had to select which of the gaping holes in our defence they wanted to stroll through and they were 2 - 0 up before we'd reached the 10 minute mark. With our defence in disarray, and a lack of support from our midfield, there were more holes than a second-hand dartboard. We did, however, occasionally remember that we could actually play and caused WS some problems. In particular, one shot from Graham Spinks forced the WS keeper into a superb save, tipping the ball over the bar for a corner. Somehow, we managed to prevent WS adding to their tally and went in two down at the break.

Changes were needed and we introduced a bit of South America into Seddon Park as we brought Rodrigo and Marcos on at half-time for their Pukekohe debuts. Marcos moved into centre-back and Rodrigo was pushed into the left side of midfield. Gabriel, our 3rd South American debutante, entered the game with 15 minutes left.

A minute into the second period and it became even more obvious that this definitely wasn't to be our day. Rodrigo made a strong run into the WS penalty area, then proceeded to slip and fall over. Not an appeal was heard anywhere on the pitch but the referee, who had obviously been deeply affected by our 1st half performance, decided to award us a penalty. The hysterical laughter stuck in my throat as Adam bravely stepped forward and ballooned the spot-kick over the bar. Oh dear.

Despite the back four looking far more solid, we still managed to ship another 3 goals in the second half. All well taken goals, but very disappointing from a defensive point of view. Seksit managed to grab one back for us to finish off a nice move down our left side, but it was very little consolation. We did play some nice football in spells and there was lot of effort, but it was not the performance we needed against a well organised side who were playing decent football. We defended badly as a unit, the midfield didn't contribute anywhere near enough and we didn't offer much of a threat up front. Apart from that, it was OK!

Highlight of the day, apart from the penalty award, was Ben Johnstone's insistence on calling Rodrigo "Carlos" for the whole second half. Probably slightly better than Pedro, I suppose. I know it's not that funny, but yesterday was one of those days where you have to find something to laugh at or you'd go mad!

It gives me no pleasure at all to write such a negative report but I believe that there's no point in trying to ignore the deficiencies in our performance by writing a "happy-clappy" report which ignores what actually happened on the pitch. Everybody accepts the praise when we play well and everybody, myself included, has to take the flak when we don't. Having said all that, I still have no absolutely no doubt that once we get everybody back on deck again we will be very competitive in this Division.

Saturday's result leaves us sitting mid-table after 3 games, with the following stats:

Now it's back to the old drawing board as we prepare for Manukau's visit to Bledisloe next Saturday. Hopefully, we'll be able to get back on track again against a Manukau side which has yet to pick up a point.

Thanks to those brave souls who came along to support the team. Superb effort, as always.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Joint award this week. Josh Wright and Ben Johnstone. What's that phrase about keeping your head when all about you are losing theirs? Ben and Josh both had superb games at the back, despite the chaos which was erupting all around them