831 views: 0 comments:
Steve Upfold posted on April 13, 2010 14:53
The women's first team won the opening match of their AFF Championship league season on Sunday via a 4-2 victory over Fencibles United AFC at Bledisloe Park.
The Maroons started strongly and quickly got the upper hand in both possession and territory and the result was a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to well constructed and well taken goals to Rose Kraakman and skipper Sarah Holmes.
After half time the home side backed off a touch and Fencibles took advantage to reduce the deficit to 2-1 with a long range effort but Hayley Smith restored the two-goal Pukekohe edge with a nice piece of improvisation from a Nicole Kraakman corner - chesting the ball across the line.
Fencibles found another long-range response to cut the score to 3-2 before Sarah Holmes put the result to bed via nice strike from the edge of the visitors' penalty area.
Player of the day went to Sarah Smith who was composed in possession throughout the match.
New Pukekohe resident Kim Stewart made her senior women's first team debut in the game but after a very bright start to life in Pukekohe colours, Kim injured a knee during the first half and was replaced by teenager Autumn Morgan - also making her maiden senior women's first team appearance.
Pukekohe's next match is against Papakura City FC on Sunday at McLennan Park Stadium. Kickoff 12.30pm.
Details:
Pukekohe AFC 4-2 Fencibles Utd AFC (half: 2-0)
PUK: Sarah Holmes 2, Rose Kraakman, Hayley Smith
Pukekohe AFC: Laura Johnstone, Kelsey McDonald (Tania Shaw 50'), Sarah Smith, Donna Withers, Kim Stewart (Autumn Morgan 25'), Hayley Smith, Sarah Holmes, Nicole Kraakman, Hannah Kraakman, Nicola Birch (Olivia Willetts 46'), Rose Kraakman.