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Jon Waller posted on July 05, 2009 22:00
Our cup run was short lived today as we took on Papakura. It was a far cry from our 7 - 0 win yesterday, the opposition being quite an organised polished unit and in the end this showed. For the much of the first half it was a battle, we had the wind advantage but failed to utilise it. They were known as a footballing side but because of our chasing and commitment we closed them down and stopped them doing what they did best.
We fought hard and when we were able to steel the ball away from them we weren't able to do much with it. Everything seemed to fall 8 inches from where we wanted it and it stopped us finding any real cohesion. Some days it just happens like that, its the same as shooting 75 in golf and then the next day 91, anyone who golfs will understand that! There was plenty of passion and commitment in Adam Moorhouse running the midfield alongside Jamie Rumbold. We were solid at the back strengthened with Brian McDonald.
Their first goal came late in the first-half when a good through ball split the defence and the Papakura striker rounded the keeper. We fought hard but weren't able to create many clear cut chances. Imraan and Nick Rowe chased hard but nothing was falling our way. Our best couple of chances were created when Cameron Stevens showed great skill and pace to take on a few defenders and put in several good crosses but nothing fell, again a stretching defenders leg would just be enough to take it out of our strikers grasp.
At half-time the talk was we need to apply more pressure and close down the opposition quicker, when we stopped them playing they looked vulnerable and didn't like it when they didn't get their own way.
Back into it and we fought hard, Ali chased everything on the left and then moved into the centre of midfield. 10 out of 10 for commitment and energy Ali, keep it going. As the game progressed, it was much 50 50 as Papakura, getting a little tired played many aimless balls into our territory, creating little, but playing the game in our half.
As we pushed trying to find the equaliser we lost possession and Papakura scored a bit of a soft goal really. 2 - 0 down and the boys looked tired, we ran hard but nothing was falling our way and thats how it finished.
From a coaches perspective, energy and commitment was great, we gave the ball away in key areas and this was to be our downfall. I thought Cameron Stevens had a good game and also Brian Mac defended well, managing to somehow be on the end of everything. The cups a bonus and our league form has improved no-end so as far as I am concerned yesterday was the important one so onwards and upwards to take on Metro the weekend.
Our keeper Colin Pegg contolled his area well, made a couple of crucial saves but all in all wasn't troubled half as much as I thought he would be!
Player of the Day goes to Cameron Stevens and Brian Mac, you both played so well I'll split it with you both. Good effort lads keep it up for next week when we get back to business.
Next week away to Metro 2.45 kick off.