Mud, Mud Glorious Mud

Papatoetoe United 0 Pukekohe 5 (HT 0-1) Scorers; Nick Rowe 3, Matt Nugent, Andy Evans

Pukekohe team: Colin Pegg, Martin Bennett, Andy Bell, Neil Skerry, Richie Sharples, Matt Nugent, Colin Case, Jon Waller, Paul Coles, Jamie Pegg, Andy Evans, Nick Brunger, Nick Rowe, Andy Bond.

Liquid mud stinks! That was the inevitable conclusion that was to be drawn following the second game on the pitch at Omana Park yesterday. The small amount of grass that survived the first game was all but obliterated by the end of our match, and we can only be pleased that we don’t have to play on it again this season as a major re-seeding is called for.

The game started in torrential rain and the testing conditions caused an early surprise. Within the first couple of minutes a long ball through the Papatoetoe defence saw the keeper race out and dive onto it, and then aquaplane 10 metres to end up outside the box. The resulting free kick taken by Jon Waller, found both Nick Rowe and Andy Evans arriving at the back stick, inside the six yard box, and yet amazingly the game remained scoreless.

To give them their due Papatoetoe then went on to dominate the first 20 minutes, adapting much the quicker to the horrible conditions, but despite a couple of half chances, the majority of the time the defence once again held firm restricting them to long range pot shots, which Colin comfortably dealt with. As the half wore on the game started to even up, although the usual movement upfront was difficult because turning was a major exercise. The boys upfront combining with Jamie, Nick Brunger and Colin Case started to stretch the Papatoetoe defence with some width and the breakthrough came 5 minutes before half time with Nick Rowe providing a crisp finish, not Andy Evans usual lash into the top corner, but crisp nevertheless.

The half time team talk emphasised the need for a strong start to the second half and that if we could get another quick one their heads would go down. Right on cue Matt Nugent, up from right back for a corner after 3 minutes of the second half, saw his powerful header slam into the net and we had the breathing space required. Marty Bennett was particularly upset by this as he reasoned that since he normally plays right back, Matt had stolen his goal! Well when you haven’t scored for 6 seasons you have to take what comfort is on offer.
From then on it became pretty much one way traffic with numerous chances created. Andy Evans added to his tally for the year and Nick Rowe scored from the spot, before completing his second hat-trick of the season against the same opposition (they are certainly glad to see the back of him), to secure a good win.

Papatoetoe started the day in third place in the division and have been going well, and to have their coach say that we gave them a ‘footballing lesson’ is a tribute to how well we played as a team, it was a great effort by all the lads, and one we hope to consolidate upon.

Player of the day was Nick Rowe, who along with Jamie is applying pressure to Andy Evans in the top goal scorer race. A special mention too for Matt Nugent who had another superb game, as did the whole back 5 (including Colin) for keeping a clean (?) sheet in atrocious conditions. Next week sees us away at Clendon, trying to keep the run going. Finally thanks to Laura our lucky mascot, and supporter, who was made to come and watch by Andy, as we are too superstitious to let her stay at home now.

Scorers season to date: 11 Andy Evans, 8 Jamie Pegg, 7 Nick Rowe, , 3 Jon Waller, 2 Nick Brunger, 1 Colin Case, Liam MacDonald, George Miller, Neil Skerry, Ari Kloeten, Paul Coles, Matt Nugent. 3 Goals awarded for default win.