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Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand
Report on games played August 14th 1999.
‘There is credit in losing, if you have played well,’ was the message Awakeri’s older graded soccer teams got on Saturday. All three competitive teams lost their games 2 - 0, but they all put in very good performances.
Brogden Contracting Awakeri Aces were at home to Whakatane in the 13th grade. Aces, who have lost heavily in their recent outings, did well to hold their visitors to two goals in the first half, and then even better to keep them scoreless in the second. Much of the credit must go to their hard working defence: Tristan Gray, Adam Priest, Liam Fitzgerald and player of the match Scott Lowndes. Behind them, keeper Mark Brogden was confident in coming off his line and fielding shots at goal. When they did manage to get the ball forward, Hikitene Kingi looked dangerous on attack. Whakatane won 2 - 0.
Awakeri Store Stingers were always in for a hard game against 11th grade A division leaders Allandale, but they suffered a severe set-back, losing rep centre-back Jeremy Hawkes injured in the first five minutes. Stingers took most of the half to recover their shape, and conceded a goal. After the break, Stingers put more attacks together and had a fifty-fifty share of the game, although Allandale scored once more. Rebecca Geddes had an excellent game in defence, covering, intercepting and tackling well. However Jamie Stanton earned player of the match. Her work, in taking over the centre back position, was outstanding as she made many important tackles. As goalkeeper Lance Robison said, “She saved my butt three times!” Allandale took the game 2 - 0.
In the 11th grade B division, Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers had an end-to-end game with United and came off exhausted. Wayne Groom was named player of the match after a very good display in the forwards. Many other players had good games too: goalie Jonathan Whitham, defender Lisa Lowndes, Kate Ernest, Martina Panasewych, Troy Jansen and the hard to get past midfielder Jonathan Dawson. United won 2 - 0.
Barney Gray’s Rockets continued their good run of form, with a 4 - 0 win against Otakiri Stormers in the 9th grade. The Rockets players are now looking for space and starting to develop positional awareness. Daniel Goodhew has discovered how to score goals and notched up a hat-trick with some well hit shots. Philippa Halsam put in the other one. Sarah Macdonald earned player of the match. Her first half effort in defence was sound, and in the second half she was unlucky not to score as she pushed forward. Mark Ernest also went close to scoring, while Jordan Macdonald had another steady game.
Also in the 9th grade, Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri Super Sonics played Otakiri 2 at Otakiri on a rough pitch. Awakeri were hot on attack from the start with Reihana Soutar-Finch scoring from short range. Several more shots were taken but fortunately for Otakiri the small hockey goals saved many shots. A feature of the first half was the passing of the ball to players in space. The second half had Awakeri on continuous attack with players passing superbly, but were thwarted by the Otakiri goalkeeper who covered the goal well. Awakeri goalkeepers had a first for the season, neither touched the ball! All players made significant contributions and the player of the match was awarded to Neil Sax.
Gould contracting Awakeri Hotshots had another good game in the 8th grade, against Otakiri. It was a one sided game that could have finished with considerably more than the 1 - 0 win that Hotshots eventually picked up. Player of the match Lani Paul scored the goal, and Matthew Davies also had quite a few attempts. Jonathan Hunt had his normal great game in defence. Glenn Collins played well, putting in some good kicks. It is good to see these young players progressing well as the season goes on. The individual ball skills, and the passing and teamwork have all improved a lot.
Da Silva Awakeri Autos lost to a strong Allandale side in the 7th grade. Matthew Jones was kept very busy in goal, and he made some solid clearances and earned the player of the match award. Paul Haslam also shone, making some good tackles. Chelsie Pettinger had another good all-round game and Vikki Lowndes played well until going off injured.
Awakeri’s 6th grade team all played very well against Allandale. Hannah Hudson was named player of the match after a determined game in the forwards, she also scored in the 3 - 0 win. Chris Stanton and Vincent Sheather chimed in with goals too. Matthew Reeves showed a lot of skilful touches.