Steve Cox posted on July 22, 2008 16:10
Our trip to Seddon Fields earlier in the season had seen a 1.0 lead at half time turn into a 2.1 loss, we knew we had more in us and now was the time to deliver. Once again a heavy pitch and a light sprinkling of rain (yeah right!) saw an upbeat and determined Maroon side take the field.
Early exchanges were scrappy as each side adapted to the pitch and conditions, but it is fair to say that Pukekohe looked the more settled and hungrier of the sides. After 10 minutes our 4-5-1 started to create opportunities. Andy Hey hit a low right footed drive which the keeper spilt round the post for a corner. James Wright tested the keeper from outside the penalty area and on 20 minutes James again rose superbly in the penalty area to meet the ball from the corner, only to see his driving header crash off the goalkeeper and onto the bar. So close!
The maroons took command of the half, reducing Springs to knocking the long ball over and shooting from distance. However, some resolute defending was called for to limit the opposition, Ben Johnstone had to leave the field for a few minutes for a cut to the head and Joseph Morris provided some crunching tackles to stifle Springs just outside our penalty area. Furthermore, Jamie Clark commanded his area very well, communicated excellently with his back four and demonstrated intelligent distribution. The half saw some great work from Keegan Saville and Robbie Leonard put pressure on the opposition back four.
For most of the 2nd half the Maroons took control. Springs found the movement from our 5 man midfield hard to cope with. On 55 minutes some simple passing saw Robbie break down the left flank cut onto his right foot and drive in a curling shot to the top right hand corner, somehow the keeper got a hand to it. 3 minutes later Dave Allan connected superbly with a right foot half volley from 35 yards only to see the goal bound thunderbolt deflected over the crossbar. Joe cut in from the right flank his shot drifted just wide of the upright. On 60 minutes James found himself 10 yards out only to see his shot pass the stranded keeper, hit the inside of the right upright, rebound across the face of goal and put out for a corner. Duncan Moxon had a shot blocked and so did Jethro Conway and Robbie saw his looping header sail over the bar from a well taken corner. This was not going to be our day.
It wasn’t all Maroon though. Jamie Clark provided a fine save on the 75th minute and the rebounded shot flash past the upright. The last 5 were tense moments for each side but as the final whistle came a clean sheet and a point were very positive outcomes indeed.
Once again a huge thank you to all the support for the day under some interesting conditions. Thank you to those players who supported but didn’t get a game and to all those who helped on the day. Well done to the team this was a solid performance and further evidence of how close sides are in the league. Furthermore it was a performance more like our potential and on reflection 3 points were available.
Finally a big thank you to James Wright who played his last home game for Pukekohe. James is moving to the UK and will be leaving the club. Thank you for your support and contribution to the first team and the club, we wish you well.
Team: Jamie Clark, Ben Johnstone ( Josh Wright, 45), Jason Paranihi, Dave Allan, Brad Frost, Robbie Leonard, Duncan Moxon, James Wright (Chris Mahoney, 76), Joseph Morris, Keegan Saville ( Jethro Conway, 87)
Subs not used: Eddie Bignell, Andre Van Lieshout
Man of the Match: Jamie Clark – a solid debut performance in goal in difficult conditions and clean sheet.