posted on July 30, 2006 14:56
The ladies' first team claimed three important points at Olympic Park on Sunday with a determined 1-0 win over second-placed Bay Olympic.
Sarah Holmes' second half strike proved the difference between the two sides as the Maroons won their third straight match in overcast, chilly conditions out west.
For much of the encounter it seemed the ladies would again be denied a precious win despite dominating the match for long periods with some slick inter-passing.
After another sluggish opening, the Maroons flicked the switch and bossed the last 30 minutes of the first half and should have had a comfortable lead at the break.
But some wrong options and wayward shooting saw the score remain 0-0 at the turn.
A frustrated coach then let his side have it in the huddle.
The tactic didn't look like paying off with the ladies starting the second period on the back foot, playing much of the opening 15 minutes in their own half.
To their credit though, the Maroons kept battling and kept trying to play the ball around and with just over 10 minutes remaining, it paid dividends.
After typically neat exchange between Birch clan memebers Ally and Nicki on the edge of the area, Nicki fed the ball into the right channel for Sarah to race onto it and slam it emphatically beyond the advancing Bay Olympic keeper for 1-0.
The strike was Sarah's fourth in the last three matches - all Pukekohe wins.
The Maroons held on until the final whistle to claim three points that sees them now sit just two points behind Bay Olympic with a game in hand.
The ladies next task will be a second meeting in three weeks with Mt Albert Ponsonby at Bledisloe Park on Sunday at 11am.
Details:
Pukekohe 1 (Sarah Holmes) v Bay Olympic 0
HT: 0-0
Pukekohe: Sonja Abbott, Karla Shearer (capt), Nicole Aukett, Kirstin Davey, Gaylene Woolley, Emma McCrory, Maria Shearer, Alice Birch, Denise Edmonds, Sarah Holmes, Nicola Birch. Subs not used: Catriona Bennett.