|
|
May 14th 2005
The after effects of school camp was one factor in several of Awakeri’s
soccer teams’
performances on Saturday.
There were good performances from both 15th grade sides, when Awakeri hosted
a
strong, organised Opotiki College side. Awakeri got on the score sheet early
after a
Matthew Reeves header bounced off a defender and David Wakelin finished it off.
Both sides had numerous opportunities during the rest of the half, with Opotiki
coming back to even the score with a well-earned individual goal.
The second half saw excellent passing and courageous defending, with both teams
getting accurate ball for their forwards to run onto. Awakeri midfielders Hayden
Reeves and Jamie Emms stepped up a level, getting around the defence and creating
space. Ben McPherson broke the deadlock ten minutes in, with a solo effort down
the
right beating the keeper. A great pass from Jono Whitaker to Richmond Brown
on the
left saw another cracking goal mid way through. Opotiki put together some excellent
passages of play and were rewarded five minutes from full time with another
well-worked goal.
The back three of Michael Greenwood, Whitaker and player of the day Kelly Stanton
held strong all game for Awakeri. The final score was Awakeri 3 Opotiki College
2.
A slow start to the 13th grade match by Private Asset Management Awakeri Aces
saw
Edgecumbe take an early lead in their game. The only thing that saved Aces from
having more goals scored against them, was the solid defence put up by Vikki
Lowndes, Ben Hancox and Chris Johnston in goal, who also took player of the
day.
The slow play by Awakeri did not improve in the second half as tiredness from
being
on school camp became apparent. Edgecumbe went on to take the match 2 - nil.
Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers had periods of coming alive in their 13th
grade game against James Street Hotshots. The Rangers players enjoyed their
game
despite a heavy defeat. Fenton Murray earned player of the match with some good
work in defence. Andrew Scott communicated well with his team-mates.
In the 11th grade A division, Da Silva Awakeri Autos created quite a few chances,
but didn’t believe in themselves enough, losing to James Street 5 - 2.
Autos will have
quite a few things to learn from for next week. Jayden Haddock scored both the
goals,
while Joshua McIntyre’s good work in defence had him named player of the
match.
In the 11th grade B division, Awakeri Diggers had a brilliant game with Allandale
Knights. The play ranged from end to end, both sides creating some good chances.
Sam Schuler was unlucky to have his shot bounce off the crossbar, so Allandale
took
the game 1 - 0. Shaun Musgrave put in a player of the match performance in defence.
Pete Dowden ran hard in his midfield role, while Miles Saitta played with good
positional sense up front.
CJ McIndoe Awakeri Dragons put in a lacklustre effort in their 11th grade game
with
Saints. Mikaela Hancox put on a good example to her team-mates with some very
good work in defence. Her positive attitude was a feature. Saints won the game
7 - 1.
The Agritech Trailers Awakeri Knights played strongly in the 9th grade, beating
Opotiki Gold 6 - 0. Knights had no substitutes, and relied on good teamwork.
In the
game’s last minute, the Knights made two more shots at goal, both hitting
the
crossbar! Jesse Ingle made a great save as second half goalie, but player of
the day
was awarded to Kurt Turpie for his hat-trick of goals.
The 9th grade Da Silva Awakeri Kingz played the Whakatane Panthers in a close
game. Tautari Merito had some great runs through the Panther's defenders. Player
of
the day Daniel Reeves was always nearby and scored for Kingz. He then saved
some
good shots as keeper in the 2nd half. The score was 1 - 1 at full time.
The Awakeri Jets played well as a team and had a number of shots at goal, but
they
couldn’t quite match Whakatane Black Panthers in their 8th grade game.
Bradley
Bateson took the ball forward well, and was named player of the match. Jade
Hollis
had another strong game as well. Whakatane won the game 4 - 0.
If it wasn't for the awesome defence of 7th grade Paroa Karaka goalie, The Edge
Swim School Awakeri Bullets score would've been a lot more than 8 - 0. Not only
did
the Bullets score well, but they really played well as a team. Nikoli Christensen
scored four of the goals and earned a well deserved player of the day. Thomas
Holani
and Tiaan Brownless scored 2 goals each while the rest of the team all had shots
that
never quite made it. Joshua Keightly had a quiet day in goal, touching the ball
only
once.
The club’s youngest player, four year old Hayley Calder was player of the
match for
the Awakeri Tigers in the 6th grade. Having stood back last week, she got stuck
in
this time. Despite good defence from Daniel Perkinson and an excellent game
by
Cameron Shakes, Tigers lost 5 - 0 to their Otakiri Pukeko opponents.