Thirds - Three Kings 1 Pukekohe 6

Well this week the Third team carried on from our victory last week, getting a more settled side out each week is certainly helping with our progression at the moment.

Shane and Jason Harneiss ran the midfield again providing great mobility with a mixture of skill blended in. Pukekohe started strong playing some neat football in the opening few minutes.

Into the second minute and the first chance created unselfishly by Irfaan, setting up Nick Rowe who turned and shot into the bottom corner, 1 - 0 Puke.

The second chance created after some neat football down the right by Ali, feeding Nick Rowe who created himself plenty of space rounded the keeper again and 2 - 0 Puke. The boys were looking good, the defence strengthened this week by Martin Mercer, Jamie Rumbold, Brian Mac and Maddison coped admirably with anything Kings had to throw at them. Martin controlled the defence well with some sound advice keeping everyone focussed.

Again some unselfish work from Nick Rowe set up Irfaan who battled past the last defender and slid his shot neatly into the bottom corner, 3 - 0 Puke.

With things going so well the banter from a couple of the team seemed to be stir everyone into panic mode and for the last 10 minutes of the 1st half, we lost our shape slightly and an uncleared corner gave Kings the chance they needed to grab one back. Half-time 3 - 1 Puke.

The half-time team talk was get back to how you played the first half hour, using the width of the field, finding players early and listening to the calls. Puke started well again and playing some neat football down the left by captain Adam Moorhouse setting up Imran who didn't need a second chance to make it 4 -1.

Some more pressure from Puke being created by Shane and Jason chasing hard in the midfield set up a chance that there keeper made several excellent saves with the ball eventually rebounding to Adam to knock in a real poachers goal.

Liam Macdonald joined the midfield and created some neat passing moves, looking comfortable on the ball, though other teams wont give you the freeedom we had today, so things in future may need to happen that little bit quicker. Having about 3 shots of the belt from just outside the area, each just gaining a little bit too much height to threaten the Kings keeper but very well struck.

Maddison Reid had another consistent game at right-back with a couple of excellent runs down the right creating several excellent chances and almost a penalty. Jamie held strong at left-back and used the midfield well in playing a controlled ball out of the defence. My only concern was sometimes just creeping  a little too far forward. Andy Bell took on the centre of defence roll helping keep the team keep that consistency.

After several easy chances going begging, through extended pressure, the Kings keeper tried a hefty clearance that struck Imran on the chest and rebounded in. Puke 6 Three Kings 1 and thats how it finished.

From a coaches perspective, it wasn't as good as last week, I thought Ali had a good game, with great speed and commitment gave the team the width on the right but we failed utilise him enough. Shane and Jason, great work rate and neat skills in midfield, Adam just needed to play that ball earlier helping to utilise the space around you, with the goal being what you deserved for the effort you put in.

The defence functioned well with Martin controlling things in a nice cool calm and collective manner and forwards worked well together and unselfishly scored goals by being helping each other out.

All in all a great effort!!

Player of the Day goes to Nick Rowe, well done mate! Held the ball up well and scored two very well taken goals. Say nothing about the header that could have been the hatrick!!

Next Fixture: Home to Western Springs 1.00 pm kick off.
Also Sun away to Papakura in the Manukau Knockout Cup, 2.00 pm kick off.