posted on June 27, 2006 15:32
The men's first team fell 2-1 to local rivals Waiuku at Bledisloe Park on Saturday despite a spirited second half display against the Super Division's second placed side.
The home side started slowly and the Blues took advantage, scoring twice in the opening 30 minutes - one from a hotly disputed free-kick.
The Maroons dug in after that and following a period of pressure on the Waiuku goal, pulled one back through a scrambled own goal.
Both sides reached the break without further damage and both sets of passionate supporters had reason to believe their side would get something from the match.
The second spell was a much more even affair with the Maroons working harder to retain the ball for longer periods in enemy territory.
That improved effort saw the home side create the two best chances in the second spell.
The first went to Brad Petrie - who did well to get on the end of a deep cross from Gene Herder, but the dreadlocked striker couldn't direct his header on target.
The second fell to substitute Andy Davey who flashed a trademark 25-yard effort inches over the bar.
But the biggest talking point of the afternoon was the sending off of Waiuku striker John Kinglsey after a clash with young Pukekohe midfielder Mike Stuart.
After Kingsley and Stuart battled for a loose ball, the pair grappled each other to the ground and at that stage Kingsley elbowed Stuart and when the referee produced a yellow card, Kingsley talked his way into a red.
However, the 10-man Waiuku side did enough to hold out the Maroons over the final quarter and took their first league double over Pukekohe for quite some time.
Pukekohe will hope they get the opportunity to put that right in their defense of the Counties Manukau Knockout Cup later in the season.
The Maroons will look to rebound this Saturday with a trip to Anderson Park to face Mt Albert at 1pm.
Details:
Pukekohe 1-2 Waiuku
HT: 1-2