From the Easter blues to Riverhills….

Our trip to Tauranga on Saturday 11th April saw some of the best football we have played so far yet it was still not enough to come away with any points. The first half saw an energetic Maroon side dominate Tauranga. Within the 1st 30 minutes and Steve Upfold bossing midfield we had created plenty of chances and had a goal bound header cleared off the line. It wasn’t until the 42nd minute that Kavakava Manumua was forced into a class double save. Going in 0.0 at half time we knew we had a good opportunity to get something from the game. Sadly we switched off in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half and were punished from 2 set pieces. The next 15 minutes were all Maroon, with the best of the opportunities falling to Marcus Bathan who forced a fine save from a free kick. Marcus went one better 9 minutes from time and scored direct from a corner. The maroons piled on the pressure to the end forcing Tauranga to “be lucky and hang on for the win” as their coach put it. Definitely a spirited effort, but had we been more clinical in front of goal the points should have being going Maroon instead of blue.

On to Easter Monday and Papakura at home. Two games in two days showed in the early stages with both teams playing flat and below par. The first half was honours even with the Maroons testing the opposition keeper well. Papakura came out stronger in the 2nd half and dominated the game. Their first goal came from poor marking at a corner and on 80 minutes tired legs in defence allowed their 2nd. The Easter blues were further deepened by going a man down 1 minute from time.

On to last Saturday. We knew that Saturday was going to be tough; playing away to the top of the table with five 1st team squad out was a true test of character. Last year we came away from Riverhills with a thumping and a man in hospital! This year we were determined not to follow the same route.

As expected Fencibles came at us from the start forcing two quality saves from Kavakava Manumua, however our game plan was set to consolidate and try and ‘nick’ a point. With some great work in midfield from Jeff Hekelaar and Richard Koaneti, backed up by some dogged defending from Chris Rowe, Ben Johnstone and Marcus Bathan, Fencibles were becoming increasingly frustrated. However, a soft call on 30 minutes from ‘ball to hand’ had Fencibles screaming for penalty and were clearly relieved when the ref pointed to the spot. Going in only 1.0 down at half time gave the Maroons a sense of belief that the game was far from over. The sense of belief was made even greater as we passed a frustrated and angry Fencibles coach growling at his players on the pitch.

The 2nd half saw more of the same, Fencibles attacking at every opportunity and the Maroons stubbornly defending, showing great resilience and some simply outstanding goalkeeping.. We started to claw back in the game and had some opportunities, the best of which fell to Jamie Clark and Jeff Hekelaar. Fencibles grabbed their 2nd goal on 80 minutes, clearly to their coach’s relief.

So, 5 games into the season and we find ourselves at the bottom of the table. However, this Maroon side is still improving, has the potential and has demonstrated the ability to play good football. Our first win will come soon and from that we can build. This weekend sees a break from the league and qualification for the Chatham Cup with an away trip to Waitemata at Mcleod Park on Saturday for a 2.00pm kick off, another opportunity to get the first win to build from.

A big thank you to the supporters who followed us to Tauranga and Fencibles (great to have the shouting in the stand and on the sidelines) and to those on the bench who didn’t manage to get a game. Thank you to Colin Case and Matt Goulstone stepping up from the reserves and my sincere apologies to Matt, if it wasn’t for my poor timekeeping on Saturday you would have got much more game time.

Team Saturday 18th at Fencibles

Kavakava Manumua, Richard Koaneti, Marcus Bathan (Captain), Jeff Hekelaar, Ben Johnstone, Andrew Lamborn (Matt Goulstone 85), Chris Rowe Jamie Hampton, Jethro Conway (Jamie Clark 66), Joe Morris (Colin Case 67), Kamaliele Papui

Subs not used: - Ben Willmott, Dave Wright

Man of the match: - Kavakava Manumua