Thirds go down 2 0 to League Leaders.

A gallant effort by the lads to try to take some points from league leaders Metro. Pukekohe decided to play against the wind in the first half, so it was always going to be a tough half. In complete honesty I thought if we can hold them to 0 0 or at worst 1 0 against the wind we would stand a good chance in the second half. The first part we managed to do, the second we didn't.

As expected Puke soaked up a lot of undue pressure in the first half, with the defence of Ali and Richie Sharples holding up well and Colin Pegg keeping for the first time this year making a couple of great saves early on. It only looked a matter of time as Metro had several early chances and from every one looked quite dangerous. We scrambled well with some hard fought efforts, then mid-way in the first half the ball was floated in to the back post from a corner and then out of nowhere up pops Nick Rowe who hits his own net with a fantastic header, didn't realise it was Nick and I thought great goal, you couldn't argue with that!! Own goal and therefore 1 0 down.

Anyway back to it, we managed to hold them to 1 0, first part done, I thought. Right now we have the wind in our favour, we must be able to trouble them and if luck pervails a couple of chances might go our way. As the second half started Metro were still just as strong going against the wind by keeping the ball on the ground and finding a man in the same coloured shirt, this could be tougher than I thought. Thinking to myself isn't this what we're supposed to be doing!!

Anyway on with the job, Imran was moved into the centre forward position and managed to run at the Metro defence causing them some problems and going well until he re-nagged an old hamstring injury and had to leave the field.

We struggled to control the ball when received and weren't able to string many neat passes together. I think the most we did happened in our own 18 yrd box near the dead ball line (hmm, not to sure this is where I'm asking you to try to play football!!). In the end got our come-upance when a ball was played over the top and it hung up in the breeze, the Metro forward ran on to it and managed to put it home against our ever improving keeper. 2 0 and that was how it finished up.

Player of the day was a tough choice between Colin Pegg and Richie Sharples, both being influential in there respective positions, but this week am going to give it to Richie as it was hard work to cope with the pressure we had to and having to keep positive in being able to guide the team in a positive direction. Well done, mate I could see how frustrating it was.

Next week sees us away to Onehunga, hopefully being able to grab some much needed points there.

Final Score: Pukekohe 0 - Metro 2

Next Fixture: Away v Onehunga, Saturday 2nd May (kick off 2:45pm, Onehunga)