We reeled up today, not knowing if the game was going to go ahead, Bledisloe 2 was water logged and the no 1 pitch was very wet so today we were lucky enough to use a pitch close by.
Today we wanted to carry on the confidence and commitment we had that carried us on over the last couple of weeks. Well we got that. The team today captained today by Adam Moorhouse and a captains performance it was.
Adam ran the midfield with a great deal of confidence and commitment and if ever there was a captains performance it was today. Never mind Captain Marvel (Brian Robson) today it was you Adam. I knew you had it in you and it was only a matter of time before you showed us what you could do and today was that day.
Western Springs above us in the league came today and thought they had a chance, well I'm sorry with the players we have here there's no way on paper I would have given them a chance, but that has to be prooved.
Puke started well, had all the play and in the first few minutes the ball was knocked over to Liam McDonald who took a shot and the ball was struck with so much pace the keeper could only parry it and the ball struck him on the torso and rebounded in to the net. 1- 0 Puke.
25 minutes into it and was still 1 - 0 Puke with about 6 golden chances being missed, hang on I thought, is this going to be one of those days. Western Springs created a golden opportunity but were only able to put their header wide.
And to be perfectly honest today, there wasn't a weak performance, everyone gave 100%. The second goal was a superbly taken effort from Nick Rowe who fired it low into the bottom corner. 2 - 0
Then just before half-time a superb ball played through by Adam, set Imraan away and finished superbly to make it 3 - 0. Martin Mercer gave us great composure in midfield with some great ball control to set up many chances, going close with a great strike rom 20 yards out.
Then another great though ball from Adam set up Imraan and he took on the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. 3 - 0 Puke.
Half-time and the team talk was, right lads, we've done the easy bit, I want the same from the second half, I want to win this half 3 - 0 as well.
Back into it, the defence, Pete Sutcliffe, Brian Mac, Maddison and Kyle were brilliant. Pete Sutcliffe scored a scorcher for the fourths last week, so expecting the same this week, but to no avail. Maddison had some good runs down the right and Kyle defensively was awesome on the left, great challenges and moved the ball when he needed to.
The next chance was presented when the ball was moved into the area and with a mix up, through some good pressure by Brian Mac and a penalty was awarded. Up step Nick Rowe, cool as you like, tucked neatly into the bottom corner. 4 - 0 Puke.
Amongst this Colin Pegg pulled off a couple of brilliant saves and one especially, touched onto the bar, If you were winning, it would have gone in, but it didn't.
Then some neat play created by Adam from the middle of the park, set up Cameron who showed great pace and skill today, knocking it back to Adam who beat the last defender and rounded the keeper and never looked like missing. 5 - 0 Puke.
The next goal was created by more good work in midfield from Adam who threaded through to Martin Mercer who ran on to the through ball at pace and simply does it, 6 - 0.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned so far is Ali who with great comittment and passion, helped to create the many chances we had and if every player gave me what he does, we would be top, going close himself on numerous ocasions.
The last goal was a very well taken goal from Liam Macdonald who picked the ball up from just outside the 18 yard box and beat his marker then cooly slotted home in the bottom corner, 7 - 0 Puke. Thats how it finished.
From a coaches perspective we needed to continue from last week, and well it was 100% better, last week was good but this was great. Captain Marvel (Adam Mooorhouse) ran the whole show, the defense collectively was brilliant, Martin Mercer kept everyone level headed with great skill and a cool head. Imraan and Nick Rowe awesome. Liam Macdonald, 2 excellent goals and a great effort, fantastic. Lads nothing to fault here but roll on Papakura. Captain Marvel when you focus on your football and less the unnecessary banter youre bloody great!
Player of the Day goes to Adam Moorhouse, it was a captains performance mate, today just brilliant, we need more of the same to take us where we need to be. You lead by example!
Next week away to Metro 2.45 kick off.