Wayne wins it in the wet at Waiuku

The wind was howling, the beanies were placed firmly on the subs heads and Roy Cook even had a Liverpool jacket on to keep out the horizontal rain.....a normal day then on the other side of Titi Road.

It was also apparent at the start, that our opposition had been on a bit of a recruiment drive, with half a dozen fresh faces since our previous encounter. Would they make a difference?

The early exchanges suggested not, with Puke ripping into it, pulling them wide and getting behind them. Andy Davey had the first real chance, but slipped whilst pulling the trigger from a tight angle.  (Andy mate, please get longer studs for tomorrow's game.)

Wayne Roach then surged down the left, beat his man, then let rip with a corker from 20 yards, which fizzed just above the surface only to rebound off the inside of the post. His moment would come though.

The first 20 was all Maroon, with a Waiuku excursion into our half,  as rare as Liverpool winning the Premiership and it was no surprise when we did take the lead on the half hour mark. Wayne connected superbly to a driven corner and powered an unstoppable header home.....his first goal for the club.

Andy Davey then flashed a header onto a post and then the rain really started to come down...and with it, the game changed. Waiuku started to boss the midfield and we began to wobble a wee bit. Andre made a blinding save to his right just before half time as we "clung onto the ropes" The half time whistle was appreciated.

Waiuku now had the benefit of the wind and started the second half strongly, pressing forward at will. On the hour mark, they crafted one clear cut effort which was screwed wide and with it, their chance of getting something out of the game.

Roy had a great battle with Owen in the midfield and gave 1000% to the cause, whilst Russell Whiter played a lovely cameo up front, carving out three great chances which he proceeded to stuff up....Andy was still slipping all over the place, whilst Dave Benard had a cracker tipped round the post by the very impressive Waiuku custodian.

With full time looming, Fabs was having kittens (paranoid that Waiuk would get an equaliser).....Fin was strangely quiet, whilst I kept saying "She'll be right, they couldn't score in a land full of wimmin with nae men" much to Fabs's irritation....

My prediction proved highly accurate as 0 was indeed the number after Waiuku, for the second time this season...well done defence for yet another stainless sheet....but they did give us one helluva game,  a typical derby, played in excellent spirit....a credit to both teams.

A massive thanks to Glen and Mike "Rentaref Inc" for the efforts in testy conditions and to Woulfy and the ever present Tania and Devon for their ongoing support behind enemy lines.

Bring on Drury tomorrow in the Counties Cup and NO ROLLING SUBS........BUGGER!