Reserves Double Header v2.2

From the way Mangere rolled up to the ground, only 30 mins prior to kick off, you could tell they had come for an easy passage into the next round of the cup.

Well, Puke Reserves were going to give them anything but that.

The team decided on a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation, and even though it may not have been pretty, any ball turned over by Mangere in the first 15 mins was lumped long up field for Adam to chase. No goals conceded in the first half was the target.

After 20 mins of sound defending (we may have put together 3 passes at best), keeping Mangere from scoring soon began to frustrate them. With some good tackling in midfield by Seksit, Montri and Wiz, we soon created chances by sliding through balls in front of Adam from possession won. U17 player Elliott Clark was outstanding on the left wing, and combining with Geoff tore their right back to shreds a number of times.

With 15 left in the first half it had turned into an even match, with Puke starting to pass the ball around well. The defence of Geoff, Mat Green, Karlos and Mat Gousltone (from the U17s) was fantastic, and with Clive playing as a deep centre mid helping to break down attack after attack from Mangere, nil all at the break looked likely.

But it only took 1 set play to see Mangere go ahead. A corner floated in from the right deceived Chris Rowe in goal, and was headed in from right in front.

From the kick off Puke attacked, and had a small period of possession in the Mangere half. The best of which created a guilt edged chance just before the break for Seksit and Adam, who had both beaten the offside line. Unfortunately a lack of communication saw both players watch the ball roll between them and into the keepers arms.

At 1 nil down at half time, the talk was all positive. We were keeping to the game plan, and were well in the game. Adam was shattered after his best 45 mins of the year, and was replaced by injured GK Trent.

We started the 2nd half well, keeping Mangere to long shots into the strong cross wind, and Chris made some brilliant saves to stop the ones that did find the target.

Amazing moment number 1 came from super sub Trent. From another long clearance, Trent took his chance to show some pace. He chipped the defender and ran around him, then coolly slotted it into the near post past the keeper with the outside of his right foot.

As all kinds of celebrations ensued, we realised we could be in with a chance of a real upset, but it might take a lot more time and energy.

Sure enough, the Ref blew for full time and at 1-1, thirty more minutes in the warm Sun, and on the hard field, was to follow. The team talk was the same as pre-match- sit back, defend, and no goals.

Mangere didn’t allow us to follow the plan however, and after 10 mins of extra time they scored with a nice through ball to the striker who dribbled around defence and keeper to slide it into an empty net.

But heads didn’t go down. We had to do something we don’t do successfully often, but had done twice already this weekend- come from a goal down. In the second half of extra time we pushed forward and created 2 or 3 good chances, but the tired legs were failing to provide the finishes needed. Subs Scott and Mat Bent (another U17) pushed on well, putting good balls through and across.

Amazing moment number 2 was maybe a little unlucky on Mangere’s part. The Ref called a rather innocuous miss-kick, which the keeper picked up a back pass, and Puke had a free kick 5m out from goal. It must have looked hilarious (hopefully the photo will be up soon to prove it) when all 11 Mangere players lined up along the goal line to defend the kick. Cool headed Captain Karlos decided the plan was for Clive to tap it to Wiz, who would strike it in the small gap between the defenders heads and the bottom of the cross bar. Easier said than done for someone who had only scored twice previously this season.

But to all our amazement, it worked.

Pukekohe had climbed back to 2-2 with Premier Division Mangere, and penalties looked a certainty. But once again Mangere spoiled our party. As legs tired and cramped, we failed to mark up closely enough and even the best efforts of Chris in goal couldn’t stop them stealing the win with 4 mins left to play.

Yes this is a damn long report, but due to the small number of Pukekohe members present, I am under strict orders to recount as much as possible.

Even in the last 3 mins, Puke kept attacking, with Wiz letting a 30m flier go, but with a serious lack of power left, the keeper didn’t have too much trouble collecting it.

So 2-3 it finished, the Rezzies had left it all on the field that was for certain. So many positives came form the game- the heart and determination, the passing and movement, the ability to have a plan and follow it- and one of the biggest for the club- seeing three U17 players match it tackle for tackle, pass for pass, with some very good players.

A big thanks for those who did rock along to support us, it must have been fun to watch, cause it was brilliant to play! Extra thanks to Fabs for running the line, cheers mate.

Sorry lads if I’ve missed any of your individual moments of brilliance, but if this gets any longer, people might stop reading…