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Steve Upfold posted on June 30, 2009 10:38
Despite taking an early first half lead, the men's first team were beaten 2-1 by Tauranga City United AFC at Bledisloe Park on Saturday in the latest round of the Lotto NRFL Men's Division 1 competition.
Maroon's striker Joe Morris hit his second goal of the season when he opened the scoring on the end of a whipped Jamie Hampton corner after just six minutes but the home side couldn't hold that lead and goals in each half to Tauranga's Dion Bartosh sealed the win for the visitors.
The Maroons made a bright start to the match and were good value for their early 1-0 edge and with some sharper decision making and better execution in the final third could have had a bigger lead inside the opening half hour.
But after that good start, the game turned when Tauranga drew level via a simple Bartosh tap-in from five yards on the end of a corner.
From that point on the visitors kicked up a notch and looked the more likely to add to their tally before the break. However, Pukekohe survived a couple of near misses and reached the turn level at 1-1.
Some sloppy work from the re-start was a signal of things to come in the second spell as Tauranga ramped up their pressing game which resulted in the home side turning over possession far to often and frequently in dangerous areas.
Bartosh struck an easy winner when he popped up at the back post on the end of a Marcus Almeida knock back across the penalty area.
Man-of-the-match went to Duncan Moxon, who turned in an assured display as a late replacement at centre back while Matt Goulstone made his debut for the first team as a second half substitute at left back.
The Maroons' next match is against Papakura City FC at McClennan Park Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff 2.45pm.
Details:
Pukekohe AFC 1-2 Tauranga City Utd AFC (half: 1-1)
PUK: Joe Morris
TAU: Dion Bartosh 2
Pukekohe AFC: Jamie Clark, Ben Johnstone, Marcus Bathan (capt), Duncan Moxon (Andy Hey 80'), Jamie Hampton, Robbie Leonard, Steve Upfold, Jethro Conway, Andrew Lamborn (Matt Nugent 46'), Geoff Rickard, Joe Morris (Matt Goulstone 81').