paul coles posted on April 29, 2007 19:35
As Tom prepared his team talk to the 10 players that sat before him, things did not look too rosey in the Pukekohe dressing room. However, Mike Thomas strolling in 15 minutes before kick off did much to change that outlook, though a more timely entrance may be better for Tom's health. Positions were hastily re-arranged, and Marty's suggestion that if we go 3-0 down we should walk off and forfeit the match to keep it 3-0 was quickly forgotten.
Everything appeared to be on the up, with Tony Wisnewski even arriving just before kick off to give us a sub. As the game got underway we soon realised that this was to be the first team that we have played this year, including pre-season, that has actually passed the ball around, what's more they are quite good at it. The first 20 minutes were quite even with both sides having long range efforts without either keeper being troubled. From then on it would be fair to say that Western Springs dominated possession but came up against a Pukekohe defence transformed from the frailties of the previous week into an impervious rock. The whole unit were superb, particularly Andy Hay who put in a man of the match performance.
As the first half moved into the last 10 minutes Tony Wisnewski hit a seemingly unstoppable shot right onto the postage stamp in the top corner, only to be denied by a great save that seemed to belie the Western Springs keepers years, absolute top drawer. Pukekohe pressed forward again and won a throw-in level with the opposition penalty area. A quick throw was taken and yours truly hit, what turned out to be an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the goal, or so I thought. Alas, not, Jim Hay, the ref for the day, was still telling a Western Springs player that he was a bad lad and was not ready, and so we had to take the throw-in again. The chance of glory had gone, and given that I usually only score once per season, that statistic may now be seriously in doubt.
The second half continued much as the first with a resolute defence holding Wsetern Springs to long range efforts in the main, David Butler guiding a seeming endless number of crosses over the bar, and Pukekohe occassionally making a breakaway. The exception being a superb save from 'Butts' that kept us in the match close to the end. The final whistle saw Pukekohe outplayed but not outfought, and a nil nil draw being achieved against a team, that will give a few others a hiding. The boys gave 100% and did the club proud. It is fair to say that character like that every week would put us closer to the top than the bottom. Well done lads!