Steve Cox posted on August 12, 2008 07:37
Back came Robbie Leonard and Duncan Moxon; out went Keegan Saville (suspended). However, this was not to be as a ‘memorable’ experience as the Old boys on Sunday. The game was virtually over within the first 15 minutes. Their first came on 5 minutes - some quick interplay on the left fired a driving ball across the 6 yard, close enough for Jamie Clarke to palm it away, unfortunately, into the path of their striker 12 yards out. 5 minutes later we were under pressure again with Jamie producing a fine save to deny a second from a corner. On 12 minutes we played them onside on the right enabling their leading goal scorer to calmly slot home. However, we did climb back into the game and start to hassle and disrupt their midfield play. Disappointingly though, we troubled their keeper only once in the first half. On 40 minutes the game was effectively killed off. Another corner saw Jamie parry the goal bound header into a 6 yard player scramble and bundled into the net.
Being 3.0 down at half time was difficult to swallow but a fair result. Frustratingly though we played with more belief and freedom in the second half. On 50 minutes Robbie Leonard fired in a half chance at the keeper. 2 minutes later Dave Allan whipped in a shot from a free kick. On 55 minutes Jethro Conway broke free from the offside trap to a one-on-one with the keeper, only to see his left foot shot palmed away. 3 minutes later another passage of play sent Chris Mahnoey driving into the box, his shot slamming into the side netting. In the space of 13 minutes we had put 3 shots on and 2 shots off. As we have learned this season though, you don’t get many opportunities in Northern League football and when they do come you have to be clinical. For the rest of the half we kept Manurewa at bay, with Jason Paranihi tireless in midfield. They were pushing for more goals, but arguably had taken their foot off the pedal. On 70 minutes we had another chance. Andy Bond won the ball central midfield and put in Chris Mahoney on the right, only for the shot to be fired over. With 1 minute to go 3.0 was an improvement on the previous performance - that was until the penalty awarded in the 90th minute.
So in the end, the same score line as the previous encounter and all credit to Manurewa who did play quality football - nothing less than a side aiming at automatic promotion to the Premier league. The Maroons can take heart from a positive second half as we did create chances and could have put a different aspect on the game. We now have 3 games left for the season and the opportunity to finish on a positive note with Cambridge and Waiuku at home. We have already started the planning for next season and we will be a much more experienced outfit – you’d better believe it!
Once again a huge thank you to our small, but loyal, band of supporters and to Manurewa for their hospitality. Keep watching as the Maroon army gathers strength - onwards and upwards lads!
Team: - Jamie Clarke, Josh Wright (Eddie Bignell, 46), Dave Allan, Jason Paranihi, Brad Frost, Joseph Morris, Duncan Moxon, Robbie Leonard, Andy Hey, Tony Wisnewski (Chris Mahoney, 46), Jethro Conway (Andy Bond, 57).
Man of the Match: Dave Allan – a complete performance and set an example to many with his skill, vision and commitment.