Div 3 : KCU Barbarians 4-0 Manakau Thirties

MAZENGARB PARK - 16 June 2012 :

Manakau Thirsty 3rds took on KCU Barbarians at Mazengarb. In the cold wind and rain it was hard to warm up and even harder to stay warm. With 6 players away Manakau only had the bare 11 players to run on the park, some of them with injures.

KCU came out and attacked from the start but the 3rds were able to keep them shooting from distance with Andy Pieta and Thomas Day closing off the middle and Ben Henry with Brian Butler stopping and thing on the sides.

Josh Sannazzaro playing on a injured ankle played well with fellow midfielder Andy Cooper and by sending the ball long we were trying to link up with Gavin Lafrentz and Wayne Gratten up front with quick counters but with the wet ball skidding the KCU keeper was able to come out and collect the ball.

A cross from the KCU winger found their forward at the back post and let KCU take the lead. Manakau tried attacking down the wings with Logan Vanhooff and Mana Governer-Charteris dribbling the ball round the KCU flanks but were unable to find the strikers as the experienced KCU back line held strong and putting 3rds back on defending. Half ended 1- 0.

The 2nd half started as the 1st had ended with KCU applying pressure. Manakau were again left to attack in spots. KCU managed to get couple of quick goals from good pressure and following up on shots from outside the box.

Manakau were able to piece some nice plays together through the park but before the final whistle KCU found their forward again at the back post putting the game to an end. Final score 4 - 0.

In a game that was dictated by the weather and player unavailability, Manakau showed heart by fighting the whole 90mins of a hard game. This was the last game of the round leaving Manakau on a record of W-3, D-2, L-3.

Everyone is looking forward to starting the next round, with extra confidence coming off a good performance in the first half of the season.

MAN OF THE MATCH POINTS : 
3 - Hamish Graham (Goalie)
2 - Josh Sannazzaro (mid field)
1 - Thomas Day (center back)