Thirds - Beachlands 2 Pukekohe 1

This week away to Beachlands, on arrival this was going to be a wet game, the pitch was sodden and the average age of beachands was about 18. It was going to be tough and tough it was.

Pukekohe started strongly and from some good midfield play from Jamie Rumbold we had the momentum with Nick Rowe and Imraan both going close early on. Beachlands were limited to having shots from 30, 40 metres out which werern't troubling anyone.

A good move down the left involving Liam McDonald set up Imraan Kahn to fire in from close range. 1- 0 Puke and well deserved, after Liam went so close himself on several occassions.

Straight from the kick off Beachlands knocked a long ball forward and to be perfectly honest, it was that far over-hit, I thought it was the keepers, but the keeper had decided not to come and Buckland managed to get a player on the end of it and 1 - 1. It was absolutely diabolicle, but move on.

Puke still having much of the play some good work by Maddison Reid setting up Ali to fire down the right wing created numerous attacks, but either an excellent save or lack of bodies seemed to save Beachlands. Then after some good work in the midfield, setting up another chance from Imraan, who shot and smashed it in the top corner fom 30 yards, but the linesman flagged and it was hailed offside, so still 1 - 1.

There were some great efforts in the first half, I thought Jamie Rumbold and the midfield had excellent games, Liam McDonald was absolutely superb, you did everything asked of you and commitment was second to none, the best game I had seen you play in  a maroon jersey, Kyle on the left was brilliant and Maddison covered everything with pace the rest of us couldn't match. Brian McDonald just goes from strength to strength, just getting better every week.

Half time team talk was to carry on from where we were, Adam Moorhouse sent in to strengthen the midfield and after being told by our keeper the defence was to slow (88 years between them) Andy Bell stepped in to give them the pace that was missing.

Well to be perfectly honest the second-half was dyer, we lost our shape, we tried to play football in the wrong areas we put undue pressure on players that weren't looking for it or didn't need it and we ended up chasing the game.

Beachlands knocked in the second and it was all going to be up hill from here. Im not sure if anything was said to you at half-time Liam but you were much quieter the second-half, Imraan chased well, NIck Rowe beat a couple of players easily and after a couple of strong challanges hit a shot just over the bar. Adam had some very strong runs but that final ball was hard to get right as the ball just stuck in the mud.

Time was starting to tell now and the young legs were lasting longer than the old, we matched them in every department but couldn't find that equalising goal. Unlucky lads!

From a coaches perspective, first half was a great effort, Liam MacDonald was a class above everyone else, superb effort, no-one knows more than me you can do it , but I need that commitment and today I got it, take a lesson out of your dad's book.

First half was great, second-half was lacking and I think a draw would have been a fair result, Kyle and Maddison had strong games, Ali and Imraan worked really hard. Brian took himself off and collapsed on the floor for 5 minutes to recover, before coming back on to strengthen the defence. under the conditions awesome effort!!

Player of the day would have been Liam if he could have kept it going and nearly did enough to get it with his first-half performance, but sorry mate, this week will have to give it to your dad. Brian, couldn't fault anything absolutely superb, I only expect 100% but Brian gave 110%, we deserved a result.

Next week home to Ellerslie, 1.00pm kick off.