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Steve Upfold posted on May 25, 2009 16:49
The women's first team were beaten 3-1 by Three Kings United in a close tussle at Bledisloe Park on Sunday as part of the Family Fun Day at the club.
The visitors, one of the stronger teams in the league, took the lead through Onewhero local Libby Williams when her 40-yard free kick snuck into the top left corner of Renee Ezekiela's goal despite the Pukekohe keeper's best efforts to keep it out.
That goal was all that separated the two sides at half time. Then 15 minutes into the second spell Three Kings were awarded a penatly which was dispatched.
The Maroon side kept fighting hard and were the equal of anything the visitors were doing in possession of the ball, which given last year's 7-0 loss at the hands of the same side, says something about the hard work the girls have put into their game during the season to this point.
They were rewarded for that good work when captain Leanne Dodd expertly fired home a dangerous Laura Johnstone corner.
With the ball too high and close to her to get her deadly right foot on her effort, Doddy smartly decided to volley it home with her thigh which, in traffic, is not an easy thing to do.
In scoring her goal, Doddy became the sixth different scorer for her team five games into the new season.
The Maroons were on top for the next 20 minutes and had several chances to level the scores but couldn't quite find the touch required to squirm the ball home.
Three Kings sealed the result with a well constructed third goal involving three players with eight minutes to go.
Standouts for Pukekohe on the day were vice-captain Lana Morris, Laura Johnstone and Nicola Birch but player of the day went to Sarah Holmes for a superb combination of graft and skill in middle of the park.
Thanks to all that came down to see the girls in action and be part of the Family Fun Day.
Their next game is against Lynn-Avon Utd AFC at Ken Maunder Park on Sunday.
Details:
Pukekohe AFC 1-3 Three Kings Utd (half 0-1)
PUK: Leanne Dodd
Pukekohe: Renee Ezekiela, Donna Withers, Lana Morris, Sarah Wild (Tania Shaw 45'), Leanne Dodd (capt), Sarah Holmes, Hayley Smith, Laura Johnstone, Kirstin Davey (Kelly Wisnewski 65'), Nicola Birch, Rose Kraakman