Thirds Pukekohe 1 Ellerslie 1

Today Pukekohe Third team took on Ellerslie on a sodden Bledisloe Park. It started to rain heavy an hour or so before kick off and against their young guns it was always going to be tough.

We were able to field a side that was strong in every position for the first time this season and it showed.

Liam Macdonald played left back for the first time and because of composure on the ball was able to slot into that position very comfortably indeed.
Defence is all about reading the game so it can only strengthen how you play in midfield and also working well with the left hand side of midfield makes you appreciate that position as well seeing it from a different angle.

The game started well for Pukekohe having much of the play and knocking the ball around nicely. Brian Mac in the heart of the defence was able to cope with anything thrown at us and Maddison on the right played his usual consistent effort, working well with Cameron down the right to instigate a number of chances.

Nick held the ball up well in tricky conditions and the first chance fell to Imraan who shot and Ellerslie Keeper pulled off a great save.

The midfield had to put a lot of effort in, in the tricky conditions with captain Adam Moorhouse moving the ball around nicely and then firing a shot from 20 metres against the post with Nick Rowe then going close with the rebound.
Irfaan collected the ball well in midfield and showed great control and neat touches before being replaced, as it was his first game back after injury.

The next clear cut chance was set up by Adam to knock a great ball to Nick who found Cameron in space on the edge of the 18 yard box, one touch, smashed it and the keeper just managed to touch it around the post, unlucky lads!

Ellerslie managed to create a couple of chances themselves but through some excellent goal keeping and a miraculous sliding tackle by our keeper outside the 18 yard box kept them at bay.

There was an excellent relationship forming between the keeper and defence and on numerous occasions the defence played 1-2's with the keeper to keep possession and set up chances at the other end. Thats how easy it is lads, great stuff.

Brian then pulled his hammy and was replaced by Andy Bell, who swapped with Maddison who moved into centre of defence, who's pace was able to keep the quick Ellerslie strikers at bay.

Half-time and we should have been up but we weren't so we had to keep working hard and the opportunities will come.

Back into it and to be perfectly honest Ellerslie were winning the battle in midfield, Matt Stewart came on to help us out, thanks for that Matt, but Ellerslie managed to create themselves a couple of clear cut chances but through some superb defensive work from Maddison and superb goal-keeping, we closed them out.

Then a rash challenge by the Ellerslie midfielder gave Pukekohe a free-kick 40 metres out, and while Ellerslie were organising walls and the like, it was taken quickly and the shot hit the bar rebounded off the back of the keeper and 1 - 0 Puke. Right lads nothing silly now only 4 mins to go.

We then lost the ball in midfield with Puke pushing to deep, Ellerslie broke and a superb defensive tackle by Maddison and our keeper somehow miraculously managing to turn it around for a corner. Then the killer blow, the ball not quite cleared properly from the corner and the ball turned inside the near post with the last kick of the game. 1 - 1. Absolutely gutted!!

From a coaches perspective, we started out very strongly today with a very strong team (shame we didn't have a couple more subs), we played football in difficult conditions and knocked the ball around well. Imraan chased hard and set up a number of chances for his counterparts. Ali's dribbling and workrate was fantastic, yet again you gave 110%, Cameron also great movement and chasing and unlucky not to score the first goal. Nick had a strong game, Adam some great runs and defence was solid. Andy Bell came on on the right and was strong, Maddison and Liam, both great. Keeper superb, just so bloody unlucky!!
Cosidering we played at least half the game with 10 men it was a gallant effort and we could have snuck 3 points.

Players of the Day today goes to Cameron and Ali, sorry can't split you boys, two marvellous performances.

Also don't forget we have photos, Valley School 19.45 Mon Night  3rd August 09. Hopefully the kit will be clean!!

Next week we are away to University-Mt Wellington, 2.45 kick off.