Steve Upfold posted on July 21, 2008 12:22
The ladies first team were beaten 1-0 by Bay Olympic on a cut-up Bledisloe Park on Sunday.
The Maroons were made to pay for a first half in which they wasted several well-crafted chances to score when Bay Olympic's Kelly Bolus drove home the winner from just inside the area mid-way through the second spell.
Despite the horrible conditions, the Maroons played some of their best possession football of the season in the opening 45 minutes box-to-box but a couple of near misses combined with several wrong options inside the visitors' penalty area saw all that good approach play go unrewarded.
Heavily involved in the good opening half performance were youngsters Nicola Birch, Sarah Holmes, Nicole Kraakman and Kelsey MacDonald as well as the more 'experienced' Jo Wolochaty - who stepped up from the reserves at very short notice and earned player of the day for her efforts!
Unfortunately the half time break seemed to change the momentum and Bay Olympic had the better of the second spell without causing too many real chances on goal - excluding a well-struck shot superbly parried away by 'keeper Catriona Bennett - until Bolus won the match for her side.
Big thanks to Jo for making the step up with no notice, to Steve Fabs - who braved the elements to put up nets prior to kick-off - and to the loyal sideline support.
The Maroons' next outing is against Eastern Suburbs at Madills Farm on Sunday.
Details:
Pukekohe 0-1 Bay Olympic (HT: 0-0)
Pukekohe: Catriona Bennett, Lana Morris, Kelsey MacDonald (Kelly Wisnewski 75'), Sarah Wild, Tania Shaw, Nicole Kraakman, Leanne Dodd (capt), Sarah Holmes, Toni Holmes (Kirstin Davey 45'), Jo Wolochaty, Nicola Birch.