A Tough Day at the Office for the 4ths

A tough day at the office for Pukekohe 4ths going down 2 - 0 to a well drilled and long time together Papakura City Outkasts.

Dave tells me last year’s fixtures both home and away resulted in 5-0 losses, all 10 goals being scored by one pretty useful striker. The task would be made more difficult with the unavailability of striking duo Thomas Sutcliffe and Colin Case, the latter taking up goal keeping duties in the absence of regular goalkeeper Menno Boxem on goal keeping duties with the 3rds.

Into the wind in the first half proved quite a challenge but the lads were up to the task. This first half was always going to be about keeping Papakura out, the wind dictating the play taking a lot to get the ball up field only to have one return kick put us back on defence.

One lapse of concentration towards the end of the first half let Papakura in so to turn only conceding the 1 goal was a tremendous achievement particularly given the workload on defence.

The second half began with a degree of optimism as far as repelling the Outkasts and putting pressure on their defence. Unfortunately we got a lesson in tight ball control on pin-point passing. The Outkasts were a tight unit and from the outset we discovered that not much was going to change from the first half. The second goal came late in the second half with the ‘10 goal nemesis’ from 2009 showing his quality with a well struck left foot from 20 metres.

Strong performances from outside backs Rhys Newton, Daniel Berry and centre back Martin Bennett left the goal scoring opportunities to a minimum with a man of the match performance by Colin Case in goal thwarting whatever got through. To only allow 2 goals past, given the number of attacks they absorbed, is a real credit to them and shows a lot of heart and good signs for the season.

In the midfield Roly McKenzie, Corey Sims, Dave Wadeley, Gavin Speight and Craig Morgan worked tirelessly but were up against a pretty good defence.

Up front Peter Wild, Glenn Edmonds and Jamie Oliver ensured the Papakura back four had to be at the top of their game as they looked to take any opportunities that came their way.

From the Pukekohe boys, a big thank you to Roger Goulstone for his superb refereeing which was also acknowledged by the opposition at the after match.

Next week the team are away to Western Springs Screaming Eagles currently at the top of the table.

Team: Colin Case, Rhys Newton, Daniel Berry, Martin Bennett, Peter Sutcliffe, Roly McKenzie, Corey Sims, Dave Wadeley, Craig Morgan, Peter Wild, Glenn Edmonds, Jamie Oliver, Gavin Speight, Jamie Rumbold

Final Score: Pukekohe 0 - Papakura Outkasts 2

Next Fixture: Away v Western Springs Screaming Eagles, 1.15 pm Cox Bay Reserve