Russell Speight posted on July 26, 2006 18:15
In one of many inter-club matches in the 2006 8th grade 1st division the Red Hot Tunas and the Green Machine played out an exiting 'no holds barred' match in which the Red Hot Tunas scored a come from behind 6:5 win.
Sideline supporters of both teams were treated to what must have been one of the most dramatic matches of the season so far. There were barely five minutes on the clock and the Green Machine had raced out to a 2:0 lead, under wild cheers and demands for a 3:0 from their supporters the Green Machine kept pressing on and the Tunas looked all at sea... However; somehow the Tunas managed to withhold the huge pressure of the lightening fast Green Machine forwards, started to play the ball through their midfield and finally found a goal themselves before half time.
Both teams retreated to a well deserved half-time break and the coaches worked over-time to prepare their charges for the second spell.
Opening the second half 2:1 down the Red Hot Tunas came out just like that; Red Hot! Within 40 seconds of the second half they had found the equalizer and after five minutes of the second half the score was 4:2 to the Tunas. Just as it looked as if the Green Machine had run out of gas, they kicked up a gear and with two quick goals locked the score up 4:4. The tension on the side line became unbearable.
With some decisive fore-checking the Green Machine took control of the midfield and another well worked through ball found its way into the penalty box where it was collected and put away by the centre forward. The score was 5:4 to the Green Machine and with around five minutes on the clock the Tunas looked fried and ready for the ‘taking’. At this stage the Tunas’ defence stood up and held tight, defusing plenty of great attacking chances of the Green Machine. 
Somewhat against the run of play defiant work of the Tunas’ midfield saw the ball coming through to the strikers and once again the score was locked up, 5:5 this time.
The game continued to sew-saw, with the Green Machine continuing their refreshingly attacking play with hard forward drives into the box where another shot went just wide. From the goal keeper’s high kick-off the Tuna’s left midfield worked the ball forward and across out wide to the right where it was picked up by a striker who dribbled the ball back inside and let fly from the corner of the penalty box; the score was 6:5 to the Red Hot Tunas.
The last two minutes of the game were played out with the same intensity and speed as was characteristic for the whole game; a show-piece exhibition match for the depth of talent and passion for the game at Pukekohe AFC’s junior divisions. To all involved; well done boys and girls, football was the winner on the day.
Article kindly supplied by Mr Willy Schoppe ( Red Hot Tunas Coach )