Ladies fall to late winner

The ladies first team were beaten 1-0 on Sunday by Bay Olympic at Olympic Park in glorious conditions for football.

In an entertaining match played on an immaculate surface on a clear day, the Maroons put in a great effort only to eventually fall to an 82nd minute Bay Olympic goal.

The home side made the faster start to the match and spent much of the opening 30 minutes inside the Pukekohe half of the pitch but for all that pressure, the home side created only a couple of clear chances they couldn't take.

The Maroons took heart from that, and after finding some rhythm in their own passing game, began to stretch the Bay Olympic side with skipper Leanne Dodd, Nikki Birch, Nicole Kraakman and Emma McCrory linking well.

The best chance of the half fell to Nikki who was put clear, but a recovering defender did enough to force a scuffed shot and the half ended 0-0.

After tweaking the defensive shape, the second half saw Bay Olympic's dominance in territory produce little end product in dangerous areas and Pukekohe created the best chance of the match on the break.

The ladies played out from the back at pace and having reached opposition territory, a neat interchange beaten Sarah Holmes and Nikki saw Sarah fire a low drive from just inside the area which was spectacularly turned away by the Bay 'keeper at full stretch.

As the game stretched with tiring legs, a hopeful Bay Olympic cross into the area floated its way over goalkeeper Catriona Bennett who could do nothing about it.

A heart-breaking way to lose a game given the tremendous effort put in by all 13 players.

Nicole was player of the day for her latest strong outing on the left side of midfield.

Pukekohe's next match is against Eastern Suburbs at Bledisloe Park on Sunday at 11am.

Details: 

Pukekohe 0-1 Bay Olympic

Pukekohe: Catriona Bennett, Donna Withers, Lana Morris, Tania Shaw (Kirstin Davey), Karla Shearer, Kelly Wisnewski, Leanne Dodd (capt), Sarah Holmes, Nicole Kraakman, Emma McCrory, Nicola Birch (Sonja Abbott).