“Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.” Bryan Adams.


The 1st team have been very patient this season and had recovered from last week’s ‘robbery’. We were determined and focused on achieving a simple goal – win one game. We had plenty to build on from our recent performances and for the first time this season we fielded an unchanged starting eleven. With plenty of time to prepare we were ready for the challenges that lay ahead.


The first 10 minutes demonstrated that it was going to be a hard fought game with each side clearly not wanting to lose. We settled quicker under very wet conditions and held good shape. Dave Allan marshalled the back four very well and Jason Paranihi quickly established himself in midfield. We slowly started to dominate the half and by the 25th minute had recorded two shots on target and 3 off. Keegan Saville caused problems drifting wide right which created two chances and Dave Allan’s left footed 30 yard drive just dipped over the bar. Papakura were looking anxious in defence and found Jason and Duncan Moxon too strong in midfield. The heavens opened, but the players remained strong, disciplined and focused. The 35th minute saw another free kick won 15 yards inside the Papakura half. Dave Allan stepped up, struck a high testing ball into the penalty area and Jason timed his run to meet the ball in the six yard box nicely. However, his leap confused the goal keeper who came out to meet him, the ball missed them both hit the inside of the right hand upright and into the net. Our patience had been rewarded – 1.0 up.


We continued to command the half reducing Papakura to 3 shots off target and 1 corner. Going in 1.0 up at half time we were strong and had belief in ourselves.


We struggled to get into the first 15 minutes of the second half. Papakura changed to a 4-3-3 and started to push for the equaliser. Our back four held firm, Trent commanded his goal superbly with some quality distribution and after some ‘encouragement’ from the bench, our midfield got back into shape. Joe Morris showed some excellent midfield defensive work, along with some tireless running from Moxy (who must have run a marathon on Saturday!). We still created problems for Papakura - Jethro’s awareness and ball control opened up the defence, Keegan showed self-belief and used his pace to see a right foot drive cut agonisingly across goal and past the left hand post and, James Wright showed some instinctive ‘professional’ football to win free kicks. We had the opportunity to get a second and the best chance fell to Dave. A lovely corner from James floated towards the far post Dave rose, connected wonderfully, only to see his downward header stop dead in the mud on the goal line for the keeper to fall on to.


For the last 10 minutes we were under pressure. Papakura won 3 successive corners, a direct free kick was fired against the wall and a six yard scramble saw the ball end up firmly in Trent’s grasp. In the dying minutes a breakaway by Robbie could have sealed it 2.0, again only to see his strike go frustratingly wide.


The final whistle provided victory, relief, reward and achievement of our goal. The support shown by the club on such a wet day was tremendous and thank you to all who came to celebrate our win, your contribution was warmly received and appreciated. Well done to the team and especially the senior players who stepped up to the mark and demonstrated the way for the younger players. Thank you to those on the bench and for once again not getting a game (especially Josh). Furthermore, thank you to Papakura AFC for kind hospitality.
Now we truly have something to build on for the rest of the season. Patience is a virtue and all good things come to those who wait.


Team – Trent Hirst, Ben Johnstone, Andy Hey, Dave Allan, Brad Frost, Duncan Moxon (Robbie Leonard, 85), Jason Paranihi, James Wright, Joseph Morris, Keegan Saville, Jethro Conway


Subs not used – Josh Wright, Jamie Clark, Dave Wright, Geoff Dodd


Man of the Match – Jason Paranihi – a true skipper’s performance commanding midfield and leading through action.