Women's first team move on

The women’s first team advanced to the second round of the New Zealand National Women’s Knockout Cup with a 3-1 win over Bay Olympic at Bledisloe Park on Sunday.

Second half goals from Rose Kraakman (2) and Sarah Holmes gave the home side a come from behind victory after the visitors had taken a 1-0 lead through former Pukekohe AFC women’s player Gaylene Woolley.

Playing against a strong wind in the opening half, the Maroons were often found playing out from their own end of the sodden park and Woolley’s pace got her on the end of a long ball over the top of the Pukekohe back line and she made no mistake in slotting the ball past the advancing Renee Ezekiela in goal.

But that moment, along with one Bay Olympic effort from distance - which bounced back off the cross bar – were the only memorable dangers on the Maroon goal in the opening 45 minutes while Sarah Holmes’ strike, beaten to safety by Bay Olympic goalkeeper/coach Nicola Demaine, was the Maroons most threatening moment.

The second half was a different story for the home side.

They restored parity via a Rose Kraakman effort from eight yards after sharp work down the left released Hayley Smith into the penalty area where the central midfielder squared neatly for Rose to finish.

Both Rose and Sarah Holmes both had goal-bound efforts turned away or smothered by Demaine until Holmes gave her side the lead for good on the end of a sublime Lana Morris through ball.

Rose provided the third when her lob of Demaine bounced in off the cross the bar in the final 10 minutes.

Player of the day went to Lana for some superb distribution after pushing herself into midfield.

The team now await the second round draw for the competition where they could meet one of defending champions Lynn-Avon Utd AFC (NRFL Premier League), Three Kings Utd (NRFL Premier League) or Papakura City FC (AFF Division 1).

The Maroons’ next match is an AFF Division 1 league game against Fencibles Utd AFC at Riverhills Park on Sunday. Kickoff 10.45am.

Details:

Pukekohe AFC 3-1 Bay Olympic (half: 0-1)
PUK: Rose Kraakman 2, Sarah Holmes
BAY: Gaylene Woolley

Pukekohe: Renee Ezekiela, Kelly Wisnewski, Lana Morris, Sarah Smith, Donna Withers, Sarah Holmes, Leanne Dodd (capt), Hayley Smith, Nicole Kraakman, Laura Johnstone, Rose Kraakman. Subs not used: Kirstin Davey, Tania Shaw