Two Win Weekend for Reserves

The pitch at Madills Farm for the saturday game looked Ok until the rain started. Then it was mud and puddles, but we played anyway. The ball skidded around a lot and made it difficult for either team to play great football.

With 5 regulars missing due to first team call ups, illness and travel (lucky Scott in Rarotonga!) the team welcomed the Harneiss twins, Thomas Sutcliffe, Mat Stewart and Neil Kraakman who stood in very well for Trent in goal.

Usual story for reserves, too many chances going everywhere but in. Jack hit the cross bar, and the Suburbs keeper pulled off some great saves. The first and only goal of the match came from a cross/shot from Wiz. Looking for Jack in the middle, the crossed ball headed over the keeper with pace, and all he could do was tap it into the net.

The second half was much the same, plenty of chances but no finishes. Suburbs pressed us at times, but with Neil looking safe they never really looked like scoring. So three points and up to fourth, going the right way.

Great games by Thomas, Shane, Jason and Mat G who was strong in the middle and on the left at the end. Saturdays player of the day went to JR. For a guy approaching the big 4 Zero this year he patrolled the centre of midfield with the energy of a man half his age!

Sundays game saw us play on Bledisloe 1, which was a lot better than Saturdays pitch. The wind was howling down the field and was going to make an inpact on this match. It was so strong that Trent nearly scored from a punt after 5 mins!

Our usual failure to score was gone in this match. Jack headed in a perfect cross from Elliot, and Mat B tapped in from close range to give us a 2-0 lead at the break. We probably should have gone in 4-0 up with the territory and posession we had.

The second half started as we imagined. Otahuhu played it long (very long) with the wind, and we brought it back. This worked perfectly when Mat B scored his 2nd after 15 mins of the half.

But then the plan went astray somewhat. We didn't quite sit deep or flat enough and Otahuhu snuck in 3 goals in 15 mins, all from long balls with huge bounces.

Puke looked to have taken a winning lead when Wiz slipped Mat B through on goal to slot in his hat-trick goal, but Otahuhu came back and got another from a long ball. Their centre back to hit it at least 70m on the fly from goal kicks!

So into extra time, which was tiring but not very eventful. There was some chances at each end, but nothing really threatening.

Penalties!! We sorted our 5 and stepped up to start. Otahuhu skied their first, ours went to their keeper. 0-0. Trent saved their 2nd, we missed ours. 0-0. Trent saved their 3rd, Clive scored ours! 1-0. Otahuhu scored their 4th, Wiz slotted ours. 2-1. The pressure was all on their 5th penalty taker, who smashed it 2m over.

So a win 2-1 on penalties. Not the way we wanted it to go, but it's enough to get us through.

Players of the day- Trent was great again, and Mat B for finishing goals when we need them.

Next week we take on 2nd place Western Springs, who slammed us 7-0 in our worst performance of the season. Bring it on!!