Manakau United Start With A Well-Earned Draw.
Manakau United started their season in Horowhenua Division Two with a battling 2-2 draw against the Waikanae Geezers in sunny conditions at Manakau Domain last Saturday afternoon.
he Division Two Manakau United 'Hui Mai' team took inspiration from the previous Manakau sporting teams that have borne the name to produce a spirited performance against an experienced Waikanae outfit that is expected to be one of the front runners this season.
And early on in the match, it was Manakau that were creating the best chances, and the home team were unfortunate to see an early 'goal' chalked off after the referee adjudged a close offside call after the ball hit the back of the net. Still, it was Manakau that did strike before halftime, with Kimbal McHugo grabbing the opening goal after cleverly using the sunny conditions to float a long-free kick into the Waikanae goal with the visiting keeper unsighted and unable to keep the ball out.
Manakau made it 2-0 early in the second half when teenage striker Atain Halley latched onto a through-ball, chipped one defender, and then calmly finished past the stranded Waikanae keeper.
However, Waikanae were not qutting, and for the last 30 minutes the experience and skills of the visitors showed through and Manakau were repeatedly forced into some desperate last ditch tackling and grim defence. With 20 minutes to go, Waikanae pulled a goal back, with the striker taking a quick pass and then cutting inside the last defender to beat the Manakau keeper Paddy Sannazzarro at the near post and score. It was harsh on the keeper who had produced some outstanding saves earlier in the match.
Waikanae surged forward seeking an equaliser, and put the tiring Manakau side under heavy pressure, which finally told when a corner was floated in and scrambled home with only a couple of minutes left on the clock to make the score 2-2.
The referees whistle brought the match to a close soon after, with both sides fairly happy with an opening day draw in such a tough encounter. The match was debated and dissected well into the evening afterwards at the Manakau Hotel.
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