It's not everyones idea of fun - a 2:45 game at Milhouse Park, coach can't be there, its raining, no nets, no corner flags, minimal field markings and a recently ploughed playing surface. But hey, these boys turn up to play and play they did. Entrusted to the care of their manager, Ravishing Roger, the 17th grade team set to work with gusto (after they had discussed who drove who to the game, which girls were hot at school and who embarrssed themselves at the most recent party).

From the kick off Puke looked to dominate and Fencible goal was quickly  under seige, if it wasn't for their keeper playing a blinder the damage would have been catastrophic. Pukekohe was a team on a mission, the mission was to win and win well. (The managers mission was to return with two balls after losing both match day balls a couple of weeks before!) These boys did win and won in style, 9-1 is fantastic against a strong club such as Fencibles.

Many of the goals were the result of a planned build up from the back with the solid backline dealing to everything that Fencibles could throw at them. The backs showed composure to not only snuf out any attacks but to control the ball and look forward to feed the midfield and strikers. If you want to see a soild back 4 then have a look at this team, the backs are big,brave and committed - it does the heart good to see opposition strikers hesitate as they chase a ball knowing that solid defence is coming ther way.

The midfield was tireless and competed for everything. The quality of some of the through balls was outstanding and gave the fast running strikers lots of opportunity and they thrived on it.

So how did 9 goals happen? Fast pace up the wings, timely and accurate crosses and fantastic finishing in front of goal. Several goals came from precisely this, great cross, strong header into the back of the net (if the nets had been there).

Who were the goal scorers (bearing in mind that many goals were team efforts resulting in a player being put into a goal scoring position).

Rainesh - 1, Satch -1, Ben-1,  Elliot - 1, Paul -2 and Mat B.-3

All the goals were great but I have to make special mention of one scored by Mat B.

Mat B. latched on to a lovely through ball and beat the defender and was heading for goal, as he stepped into the 18 yard box he was felled from behind in what could be called a rather ugly attempt at a tackle. I stood on the sideline confident that ours would be the penalty. Unfortunately the referee decided the offence happened 2 metres back outside the box so a direct free kick was awarded. It was quickly decided thath Mat B. would take it and the spectators wondered how he would take it and what would be set up. Fencibles put up a wall and Paul placed himself in the centre of it. All was ready, players  in the wall covered the parts they needed to, Mat B. looked at Paul ,Paul looked at Mat B.and some telepathic thoughts were exchanged - Mat. B ran in, struck the ball with real power, Paul pivoted out of the wall creating a small gap, the ball rocketed through and into the corner of the goal -the keeper never moved- there was a hush then the spectators cheered as they realised they had just seen a fantastic goal! It was a stunner and would have graced any football pitch with its quality!  The goal typified the brilliant effort from the whole team.

Players:

Nekoda, Cameron, James, Mat.G, Daniel, Thomas, Satch, Rainesh, Ben, Elliot (c), Mat.B, Paul, Scott, (absent-Andrew).

Keep an eye on these players!