Men's firsts beaten from 12 yards

The men's first team fell 1-0 to Papakura City FC at McLennan Park on Saturday in the latest round of the Lotto NRFL Men's Division 1 competition.

Papakura City left winger Pablo Fuhr dispatched a 37th minute penalty after Pukekohe right back Ben Johnstone was ruled to have brought down Grant Duncan in the penalty area.

Up to that point the match had seen both sides have good moments in possession with the home team more able to turn that good lead-up work into scoring chances - late call-up Pukekohe 'keeper Trent Hirst made a couple of full stretch saves in the first half.

For their part, the Maroons were able to consistently move the ball from their defensive third into midfield but were unable to find the killer touch or pass in the final third to get regular looks at the Papakura goal.

The second half was a continuation of the first with the Maroons' defense dealing effectively with the majority of threats that came their way - and scrambling well on the two or three occasions where Papakura players had beaten the first line of cover.

In attack it was also a similar story with the ball regularly reaching dangerous areas but wrong options and isolated players meant little came of the tidy approach work.

Man of the match went to Trent for his effort in goal at late notice while Elliot Clark made his NRFL debut for the club as a second half substitute at left midfield.

Thanks to the supporters who braved the conditions outside or watched via the relative comfort of the clubrooms.

The Maroons' next outing is a home clash with second-placed Fencibles United AFC at Bledisloe Park on Saturday. Kick off 2.45pm.

Details:

Pukekohe AFC 0-1 Papakura City FC (half: 0-1)
PUK: -
PAP: Pablo Fuhr (pen)

Pukekohe: Trent Hirst, Ben Johnstone, Marcus Bathan (capt), Andy Hey, Jamie Hampton, Robbie Leonard, Jethro Conway, Duncan Moxon, Andrew Lamborn (Elliot Clark 45'), Steve Upfold, Joe Morris.
Subs not used: Matt Nugent, Colin Case, Jamie Clarke