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Tony Wisnewski posted on June 21, 2009 17:54
The wind was howling along field 9, and the initial plan was to play into it and defend hard, and then attack in the 2nd.
Well losing the toss stuffed that plan, and we went to plan B- the opposite- attack first, defend second.
We created some great attacking play in the first half, with our strikers coming close but unable to find the back of the net. Scott wide on the right, and Elliot wide on the left had plenty of space and gave us some excellent delivery into the box. 3 Kings were a wiley old bunch, and there was plenty of niggle trying to put our youngsters off the game, but our boys held strong and gave as good as they got.
Half time came and 3 kings were fairly confident that with the wind they would easily be able to put us away, but the Puke plan of defend deep to counter the wind, then play wide and on the ground, paid off very quickly.
After a quick throw out from Trent to Geoff (playing on the left this week due to players missing), he put the ball through the Kings backline and Mat Bent ran onto it with pace, slotting it past the onrushing keeper. 1-0 to us into the wind, and we were looking strong.
3 Kings threw everything at us, but we managed to kick them while they were still down, so to speak, when Jack Crane curved an excellent shot into the top right corner of the goal after some good build up play, which started at the back again, this time by Clive who had dropped deeper after the first goal.
2-0 into the wind and we could feel an upset coming. Puke had to withstand a lot of pressure in the last 15 mins, which saw Kings pull one back from a free kick that was headed in at the back post.
The full time whistle couldn't come soon enough, and when their striker ruthlessly went though Trent with his studs up the ref decided that the end was better than a free kick, and we happily agreed.
The reserves have now had 3 wins and a draw in their last 4 matches, and are slowly climbing the table. A win over 4th place Central next week could see us take that place off them.
The overall highlight of the game as a coach was the way the young boys muscled up against a tough, clever side. The old boys were solid as usual, what else can I say?
Big thanks to Marty for helping us out with numbers, and to Leanne, Lisa, Roger (x2) and Nigel for making up a lonely supporters group in the bitter wind.
Our next game is at Waikaraka Park against Central, KO 1:00pm.