Div 3 : Waikanae Masters 1-2 Manakau

April 6th 2013 : 
Manakau United started the 2013 football season with a battling 2-1 win over Waikanae Masters at Waikanae Park.

After a decision to consolidate the two teams into one squad for 2013, Manakau have a deep squad to pick from this year and 16 players were named on the card for the season opening game.

And it didn't take long for the Green and Whites to get going, with PK hitting the crossbar from distance, and  Jamie Allcock going close, before a clever through ball from James Wylie found Josh Sannazzaro in space on the edge of the penalty area, and he drilled the ball home to pen the scoring.

Manakau made it two-nil just before half time when a Jamie Lamplough corner was powerfully met by Wylie to send the ball into the net, despite the strong efforts of the Waikanae keeper.

In the second half, Waikanae had the advantage of a slight breeze and managed to get onto the score-board with a long throughball that was not dealt with, and was bundled into the goal in a scramble.

Shaun Stout and Andy Peita were holding firm at the back, but in the last minute Waikanae broke through with a 1-on-1 chance to score, but a fine sprawling save from Manakau keeper Clive Rankin kept the shot out and Manakau had their first three points of the season.

FT : Waikanae Masters 1-2 Manakau

Scorers : Josh Sannazzaro, James Wylie
Assists : James Wylie, Jampie Lamplough

Pre-season Football Training in March

Josh Sannazzaro and Simon Ryding are going to running a regular pre-season football training session during March at Manakau School on Wednesday evenings starting from 6pm.

Josh says to be there ready to start training at 6 - and - it will be a fitness based session rather than a kickabout.

Manakau football pre-season begins with successful 5-a-side

Manakau United have begun preparations for the 2013 season with a 5-a-side tournament on the weekend played in stunning Horowhenua conditions.

The local Manakau School park was looking good, and Jamie Lamplough had marked out the two pitches to have the ground perfect for the event.

After three round-robin games games each, the top two sides played off in the final, and the "Yellow Bibs" and the "Colours" battled to an energetic 1-1 draw to share the cup.

The two victorious teams - Yellows and Colours - share the 2013 title - and a few beers ...

More pictures are online at the Manakau United Football Club facebook page.

Footy 5-a-side tournament and player registration

5-a-side FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, BBQ, and SGM. Saturday, 23rd February 2013

Manakau Football club will hold a registration day for all players, new and existing at Manakau School on Saturday 23rd February 2013.

We will have a 5-a-side footy tournament, a short meeting regarding incorporation, and a BBQ.

If you are playing for the mighty "Green and Whites" in 2013 then get along to this day - and bring some cash to pay your fees or make a deposit.

If you really cannot make it then get in touch with PK to make apologies and confirm that you're definitely up for football this season.

PLAN OF EVENTS
---------------------
2pm to 3:45pm -- 5-a-side football tournament
4pm to 4:30pm -- Special General Meeting
4:45pm onwards -- BBQ and player registration (with fees deposit)

Get there by 1:45pm if you want to play in the tournament - as we will be picking teams and organising format. Bring a couple of T-Shirts of different colours to help - Black / White / Grey (masters) / Green (club).

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

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

Div 3 : Manakau Thirties 0-3 Paekakariki

MANAKAU DOMAIN - 29 June 2012

The Manakau Thirsty 3rds were coming off a bye and facing the top of the division Paekakariki on Saturday. It was always going to be difficult but Manakau were ready to improve on the 6-0 loss they suffered at the begining of the season.

Manakau came out trying to play a passing game and were able to move the ball around well. Josh Sannazzaro and Logan Vanhooff were attacking down the wings and consistantly getting the ball to forwards Jamie Lamplough and Gavin Lafrentz. The experienced Paekakariki defenders were able to get the ball out but the hard working Alan Crosby in midfield kept the pressure on, winning the ball in all area's of the park and making his presents known.

Thirty minutes into the game a long ball from the Paekakariki backs found a gap in the Manakau defenders, the Paekak forward got on the end of the ball and placed it round goalie Hamish Graham. Manakau continued to pressure but were unable to find the goal. Just before the end of the first half another quick counter attack from Paekak set up a 1 on 1 opportunity, and Paekak made the most of the chance to score and take a 2-0 lead into the break.

In the 2nd half Manakau went out looking to get back to moving the ball around and creating the chances, but Manakau were kept out and the game turned into a hard fought battle at both ends.

Brian Butler and Rob Pollock were restricting any attacks round the sides while Ben Henry and Shaun Stout were closing down the middle and getting the ball to the vocal Ben McHugo to feed the forwards.

The back and forth playing was hard for both teams but a loose ball in the Manakau goal box fell to a Paekakariki forward who placed it well into the bottom corner. Searching for a goal to end with, Manakau were continued to be held out with Paekakariki winning 3-0.

This was one of Manakau's best performances of the season. The passing and team play was great through out the park. We were able to gain and maintain possession and close down the oppositions play.

Unfortunately the result didn't show how close the game was but Paekakariki made the most of their chances on goal. Despite the defeat, all players left the field proud of the game.

MAN OF THE MATCH POINTS :
3 - Ben McHugo (midfield)
2 - Alan Crosby (midfield)
1 - Shaun Stout (center back)