Thirds come away with a point at Western Springs

Well done lads, was good to come away with a point, it looked at 1 stage as we might end up with nothing, so lets be positive.

There’s a few things you learn in football and 1 is from Thurs to Saturday can be a very long time, well it must be because as we didn’t remember anything from Thursday and take it into Sat.

It started with Pukekohe having one of our strongest squads for a change, so something should be achievable here. Western Springs kicked off and Puke started quite well getting some early pressure on the opposition, determined to stop them playing and before long put together some good moves ourselves. A couple of good shots on target from Andy Bond from distance threatened, but a little far out to cause too much trouble.

We were having much of the play, and then same old, same old, against the run, Springs slipped a good ball in to the middle and their  striker ran on to score at the near post. Unlucky lads heads up!

 I reffed the first half and you certainly get a different perspective of the game as you cant coach so have to leave it all up to themselves. (I’ve no idea why people find it so hard, to ref that is!!). The game flowed well and was played in very good spirits. Colin Pegg and Brian Mc solid at the back, the side captained well by Richie on the left. Yet again some good energy down the right from Maddison Reid.

Eflan was carried off with an ankle injury which was a shame as he provided some neat skill and good running.
Right half time 1 0 down, the tactics were and always will be from me, there is so much space out there, lets put a foot on the ball and keep it simple. I am now starting to realize after a few years, everyone else’s definition of SIMPLE is completely different to mine.

Anyway, 2nd half underway and Puke had much of the play, everyone’s trying hard and you can’t ask for more than that. There was some good tireless running from Adam Moorhouse up front but alas, it just wasn’t falling right. Liam Mcdonald gave the team some good width with good positional play.

We had much of the play but to be honest wasn’t sure where the equalizer was going to come from.
Nick Rowe was playing with some passion (where other players could learn from here) and came into his own as he started to move further forward. He broke through twice and had 2 very clear cut chances but was unable to convert and put both over the bar from close range, (two shots Johnny Wilkinson would have been proud of) surely it was only a matter of time.

After about an hour Puke were now playing football and to be honest it was all us and then after much pressure, up step Nick Rowe this time managing to get his shot on target and from close range, there was nothing the keeper could do 1 – 1.
This was how it finished with some later pressure for Puke trying to get that winning goal.

From a coaches perpective I thought Ali had a good game as I think he played about 4 different positions and covered much ground, Imran worked so hard in the first half he was physically sick and Eflan played with much skill and finess in an untoward position. It was a good effort by the defence, looked solid and starting to find their feet. Great effort in the middle by Nick, I know how hard it is and anyone bagging him, needs to try it for 90 mins. Great work rate from Andy Bell, Liam, good chasing off the ball from Adam and some good holding up and control of the ball showed by Bondy.

Player of the day for me, for guts determination and the goal goes to Nick Rowe, a few of you out there might disagree but most times I feel I’ve watched a different game than most anyway.
So roll on next week for another exiting installlment!!

Goalscorer: Nick Rowe

Final Score: Western Springs 1 - Pukekohe 1

Next Fixture: Home v Metro, Saturday 25th April (kick off 1:00pm, Bledisloe Park)