Second half gets Springs home

After reaching half time at 0-0 against the league's second ranked side, the women's first team eventually fell 0-4 to Western Springs at Bledisloe Park on Sunday.

In a spirited effort from the Pukekohe side in their penultimate match of the year, the Maroons gave their all in an entertaining encounter which saw chances regularly created at both ends of the park.

But the action started before the first whistle as Kelly Wisnewski took a stray elbow to the nose in the warm-up and had to sit out the first 15 minutes while she tried to stop the blood from gushing.

Pukekohe's best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to Rose Kraakman who kicked clear of the Springs cover but the visitors' keeper came out and just did enough to force Rose wide and the danger was eventually cleared.

Two quick goals from distance early in the second spell followed by a penalty for hand ball that Gina Fabrello (who was player of day at centre back after stepping up from the reserves) could do little about, killed the game off.

The best chance of the second half for Pukekohe fell to Nicola Birch but the Springs' keeper again saved well with her feet.

A big thanks goes to late-call ups to the squad Annette MacFarlane, Marguerite Cooke, and Devon Fabrello. Each one did superbly well in various stints at the back.

Also thanks to Steve Fabrello for running the line for the Pukekohe side and the supporters who turned up to watch under remarkably (for this season anyway) sunny skies!

Pukekohe's final match of the year is against Eastern Suburbs at Bledisloe Park on Wednesday night at 7pm.

Details:

Pukekohe AFC 0-4 Western Springs AFC (half: 0-0)

Pukekohe: Catriona Bennett, Donna Withers, Tania Shaw, Gina Fabrello, Annette MacFarlane (Kelly Wisnewski 15'), Sarah Holmes (capt), Kelsey MacDonald, Toni Holmes (Devon Fabrello 60'), Kirstin Davey (Marguerite Cook 70'), Nicola Birch, Rose Kraakman.