Just when you thought things were going so well….

All credit to Waiuku for switching games and they must be complemented on the state of the pitch given the adverse weather conditions. The Maroons were forced into 3 changes with Robbie Leonard suspended, Duncan Moxon injured and James Wright having moved on. Despite this it was an opportunity for our younger players to step up to the mark with starts for Josh Wright, Eddie Bignell and Chris Mahoney.


The Maroons settled quickly and began to assert themselves in midfield with some strong play by Andy Hey and Eddie. On 7 minutes Keegan Saville applied good pressure at the near post from a corner, with the ball falling to Eddie whose half volley was cleared off the line by the defender. 3 minutes later we had a scare of our own. A predictable long ball over the top fell to the on-running blues striker whose shot clipped the crossbar. On 15 minutes our dominance paid off. A driving free kick into the penalty area by Dave Allan was well challenged by Eddie, the ball fell to Joseph Morris who took a touch onto his right foot and lashed the ball into the back of the net – 1.0 up!


Back came Waiuku with their long ball game trying to free their quick attackers, but our defence was holding strong. Good communication from Jason Paranihi and quick feet by Brad frost and Ben Johnstone limited the blues opportunities. On 30 minutes another free kick opportunity fell to Dave Allan. This time a low right footed drive took a deflection and was heading to the bottom left hand corner of the net, until (as if by magic) the Blues keeper instinctively got a hand to it. 5 minutes later some good work from Ben driving forward on the right saw his cross drop in between the Blues central pair and into the path of Joe. He had more time than he thought and his left foot drive rose agonisingly just over the bar. Just before half time the Maroons survived another scare when the flag stayed down as the ball came over the top (again). Jamie Clarke came out to meet it with a header, which rebounded off Brad and back to the Blues striker, only to see his shot blocked by Ben and out for a corner.


At half time we knew we were in the driving seat and had the Blues worried and frustrated (obvious indicators were the foul language and abuse coming from the opposition dugout). I know it was a derby and passions run high, but some of the behaviour was un-acceptable. However, once again we were masters of our own destiny and 45 minutes away from our second win of the season.


As for the 2nd half, well it was difficult to say whether the Blues played well or we fell apart. 1 minute after the kick off an opportunist strike was buried into the bottom left corner of the net – 1.1. We struggled to get out of our half with the Blues bombarding our area with long high balls and trying to push down the flanks. On 55 minutes a shot was cleared off the line by Brad. 5 minutes later a shot was blocked for a corner. The pressure rewarded the Blues 2 minutes later. Another long ball sailed onto the crossbar, bounced down in front of goal and Brad’s attempted clearance rebounded into the Blues striker into the net. A very scrappy goal, but in football you create your own luck – 2.1 down. For the next 20 minutes the Maroons were poor and our mistakes were the Blues opportunities and, had it not been for some stubborn defending from Dave Allan and Jason, the score could have been worse. The Blues third goal on 82 minutes buried the game and further woe was incurred by a second yellow for Keegan Saville.


We won the first half well 1.0 but our second half was poor and nothing like how the Maroons had performed against Springs or Ellerslie. We need to think clearly about raising our game for next week as we visit Manurewa, but we do have the platform to build again.


Once again a huge thank you to those who came to support, to those who warmed the bench but didn’t play and to Waiuku for their hospitality. So, once again, some lessons to be learned, but we are still moving forward, it is all head-space and belief - onwards and upwards lads!


Team :- Jamie Clarke, Ben Johnstone, Dave Allan, Jason Paranihi, Brad Frost, Eddie Bignell, Josh Wright (Andy Bond, 78), Andy Hey, Chris Mahoney (Jethro Conway, 75), Joseph Morris, Keegan Saville
Subs not used: Trent Hirst, Dave Wright


Man of the Match: Joseph Morris – Great goal, should have had a second, good running and strong defensive midfield work.