Having been a bit slack with the match reports recently, thought it was time for quick round-up ...
11th July 2009 – AFF Division 7 v Papakura
This game saw us up against table toppers Papakura (although they have since been displaced by Uni-Mt Wellington) looking to avoid a repeat of our previous fixture when their red-booted striker put 5 goals past us. For the first 20 minutes or so it was all Puke, with the aforementioned red-booted striker sat quietly on the bench. Inevitably, Papakura played their ace card – he couldn’t do it again could he? Sadly yes, leaving us 5-0 down at half-time and facing an uphill struggle. Still the lads kept battling as always and the second half was better, but unfortunately two more goals were conceded (one from a deflected free-kick and the other from a last minute mis-hit cross) to leave us 7-0 down.
Team: Neil Kraakman, Matt Stewart, Martin Bennett, Roly McKenzie, Andrew Bell, Kevin Mullane, Steve Fabrello (capt), Kyle Watson, Cameron Williams, Pete Wild, Rhys Biddick, Dave Wadeley, Craig Upson
Goalscorers:
Final Score: Papakura 7 - Pukekohe 0
Player of the Day: Rhys Biddick
26th July 2009 – AFF Division 7 v Bay Olympic
A trip to the races (Avondale Racecourse) saw a game of two very different halves for Puke. Captain for the day Sven Ludert, playing his last game before returning home to Germany, put us in control with a well taken goal following some great play by Pete Wild. Bay Olympic managed to put two past us, against the run of play, to give them a 2-1 advantage at half-time. Not to worry though, we could easily get back into this one if we kept playing the same way in the second half. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be and a below par second half performance, combined with an element of bad luck for a couple of the goals, saw us on the end of a 6-1 defeat.
Team: Neil Kraakman, Matt Stewart, Martin Bennett, Roly McKenzie, Donald Fleming, Julian Smith, Andrew Bond, Ezra Leffalaar, Cameron Williams, Pete Wild, Sven Ludert (capt), Dave Wadeley, Craig Upson
Goalscorers: Sven Ludert
Final Score: Bay Olympic 6 - Pukekohe 1
Player of the Day: Roly McKenzie
1st August 2009 – AFF Division 7 v Western Springs
Not much to be said about this one, other than that the horrendous weather conditions made it very difficult for either team to play football and an unfortunate injury to Cameron Williams necessitating a trip in the ambulance. Despite that, a great battling effort from a makeshift team containing players from the Reserves, 3rds and 4ths this week. Thanks to Big Dan, Cameron H, Cameron S and Andy Bell (and their respective coaches) – much appreciated fellas. Special thanks to Bondy and anyone else who helped out on the first aid front. Hopefully Cameron should be fit again in a couple of weeks.
Team: Blair Mason, Matt Stewart, Martin Bennett, Roly McKenzie (capt), Donald Fleming, Julian Smith, Daniel Berry, Ezra Leffalaar, Cameron Williams, Pete Wild, Cameron Hale, Cameron Stevens, Andrew Bell, Neil Kraakman
Goalscorers:
Final Score: Pukekohe 0 - Western Springs 4
Player of the Day: Neil Kraakman
2nd August 2009 – Counties Manukau Cup v Mangere Utd
The big cup game saw us up against AFF Reserves team Mangere Utd with no great expectations, other than to put in a good performance. To be honest we did more than that and every player put in fantastic performances to keep us in the game at 2-0 down at half-time. Unfortunately the quality of the Mangere side began to tell in the second half and they soon added to their goal tally, although we were able to create a few chances of our own, one of which resulted in a well taken goal by Rhys Biddick. The final score ended at 6-1 to Mangere, but despite the result this was probably one of our best team performances. Just need to keep it up during these last few weeks of the season.
Team: Blair Mason, Mike Thomas, Martin Bennett, Roly McKenzie, Donald Fleming, Matt Stewart, Neil Kraakman, Ezra Leffalaar, Thomas Sutcliffe, Pete Wild (capt), Craig Upson, Rhys Biddick, Julian Smith, Dave Wadeley
Goalscorers: Rhys Biddick
Final Score: Pukekohe 1 - Mangere Utd 6
Player of the Day: Donald Fleming
Thanks as always to our supporters and to the likes of Mike Botting and Jim Hey who have officiated at our home games. Next week sees us up against some tough and experienced league opposition away at Drury, so we’ll definitely need to keep up the hard work and aim to pick up some much needed points ...