Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Div 3 : Manakau Thirsties 1-2 Waikanae Youth

MANAKAU DOMAIN - 14th July 2012

Manakau Thirsty 3rds came up against Waikanae Youth playing in the wind and rain on a sticky Manakau Domain surface.

Manakau came out looking to attack them early and put them under pressure but Waikanae fought back strongly. Chances were plenty at both ends of the park with Jamie Lamplough and Josh Sannazzaro missing by only few inches and Waikanae attacking in counters getting the ball to their more experianced forwards.

The game was being played in the middle of the field and Chris Henry and Ben Henry getting good ball around and blocking off the attacks of Waikanae. Nearing the end of the first half Waikanae shot from distance making Clive Rankin punch the ball clear, and Waikanae were first to get to the loose ball and sneaked it inside the post to open the scoring and give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.

The second half played out in similar manner to the opening half with both teams getting close and Waikanae Youth grabbed another goal to extend the lead.

Manakau kept their heads up and continued to pass the ball around well. Shaun Stout was able to control the back line and find our midfielders open. Manakau upped the intensity and a good through ball to the running Craig Vidulich, who calmly assessed his one-on-one opportunity with the keeper before striking the ball into the net.

Manakau had a lifeline back into the game, and kept the pressure applied but were unable to get the equaliser and the visitors finished 2-1 winners.

Despite the loss, the Manakau players were happy with their effort on the day. It was hard going on the treacherous conditions, with minimal grip and unpredictable bounce.

Manakau will be playing away next week and will be striving to get a good result to ensure a good finish on the table. With a lot of teams fighting for places its getting interesting as the season nears the end.

MAN OF THE MATCH POINTS :
3 - Shaun Stout
2 - Josh Sannazzaro
1 - Craig Vidulich

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Div 1 : Manakau Hui Mai 1-5 Otaki Purutaitama

MANAKAU DOMAIN - Saturday 7th July 2012.

Manakau Hui Mai slipped to a heavy defeat at the hands of Otaki Purutaitama, with the home side having no answer in the opening 45 minutes.

The first half can probably be summed up as ... corner, header, scramble, GOAL, cross, volley, GOAL, slip, miscue, through the legs, ball dribbles slowly towards the GOAL, scramble, slip, push, penalty, GOAL and, slide, shot, slip, slip, slip ,slip, toe poke GOAL !!!

Unfortunately, all five goals happened at one end, and Otaki had jumped out to a 5-0 half-time lead against a  Manakau side that just made too many mistakes.

Spectators arriving at the break and watching the second half would never have realised as Manakau regrouped and re-organised at half-time and took the game to the visitors during the second spell - scoring through Jamie Allcock's well taken penalty and creating several other chances while keeping it clean at the back.

Mike Urlich, James Wylie, and Allcock were creating chances, but were unable to convert with the efficiency that Otaki had provided in the first half.

Otaki were clearly deserved winners on the day - effectively winning the match before halftime - but Manakau's second half performance was a determined effort the spoke volumes for the team spirit.

MAN OF THE MATCH POINTS :
3 - Mike Urlich
2 - Neil Harvey,
1 - Ben Harvey