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Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand
May 18th 2002
The first wins of the season for several teams was the highlight of Saturday’s
play for the Awakeri Soccer
Club.
In the 15th grade, Awakeri Hobbits opened up a comfortable lead against Whakatane,
with goals to Steven
Smit and Matthew Ward. Ward’s goal was an excellent volley on the end of
a high ball from Croydon Little.
In the second half however, Whakatane came back to level the scores and tensions
were raised. Hobbits got
their noses back in front, after a good ball forward from Wayne Groom, a cross
and Simon Turner did well
to turn the ball in from a narrow angle. Sean Wright extended the lead after
he put pressure on the defence.
Whakatane again came back, but Ward sealed the 5 - 3 win with a goal on the
stroke of full time. Nicholas
Haslam earned player of the match with a gritty performance in defence.
A disciplined Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri Athletic team played a very
strong and organised
Opotiki side in the 13th grade. Total commitment from both teams saw numerous
chances created and very
strong defence. Excellent work by forwards Ben McPherson, David Wakelin and
Jordan McDonald with
great support from all the team had Athletic leading 3-1 at the break. In the
second half Opotiki put together
a skilful show and scored two well earned goals to tie the game. Near full time,
good passing and finishing
saw Ben McPherson score his third of the day. Player of the day went to defender
Sytse Tacoma, with all
players contributing to Athletic’s first win of the season 4 - 3. Both
teams played a good clean game.
The Da Silva Awakeri Autos 11th grade played Otakiri at Edgecumbe. The Autos
passed well to stay in
Otakiri's half for a lot of the game. Leonard Sonntag and Russell Sisam managed
to get a goal each past a
very good Otakiri keeper. Unfortunately many other opportunities to score were
missed due to strong
defence and Otakiri won 3 - 2.
The Awakeri intermediate girls team hosted Opotiki Kowhai Kickers. It was a
fast flowing game, played in
good spirit. Danniella Palmer opened the scoring for Awakeri, striking a strong
shot after an excellent solo
run. However, Opotiki struck back with three well taken goals to run out the
winners 3 - 1. Kylie Wilson
was named player of the match for Awakeri. For a first year player, she is displaying
very good skills and a
sense for the game.
The 10th grade Private Asset Management Awakeri Aces faced a skilful Opotiki
side and after Opotiki
scored early on, it was one way traffic for the rest of the game. Aces tried
hard and never gave up, but were
unable to match the skills of a well drilled Opotiki team. Paul Haslam
was named player of the match for
backing up and his excellent positional play. Others to play well were Devon
Swart and Mathew Bateson,
who took on the Opotiki defenders, but were without the necessary support. Jade
Cossey in goal made some
great saves, but too often was given little chance. Opotiki went on to score
a hat full of goals.
Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers had an exciting 10th grade encounter with
James Street One. After a
good first half, the score was 1 - 1. James Street then looked to take control
with two goals, but Rangers
came back with a second well taken Joshua McCormick goal, and pressed for the
equaliser. The final score
was 3 - 2 to James Street. Hawea Mansell was named player of the match
after an outstanding effort in
midfield, where he linked well with Matthew Reeves. Vikki Lowndes and Kane Wakefield
were strong in
defence, while Kimberley Byres and Sean McLean also contributed well.
The 9th grade Awakeri Hurricanes had an excellent game against Paroa. The team
put lots of effort into the
game and really worked well together. The end result was a great nil all draw.
The player of the day was
Matthew Richmond. His good passing almost led to Madison Constantine
and Lindsey Cotter scoring goals.
A fast paced game was played by a determined 8th grade Awakeri Devils team to
register their first win,
with a 4 nil victory over a hard working Opotiki Raiders team. Excellent ball
control and passing, which the
Devils have been putting a lot of practice into, really paid off - every player
showed good ball control and
team work to secure the win. Goals were scored by Keanu Carter, Jayden Haddock
and by player of the day
- Sydney Jones ( 2 goals). Sydney put in a lot of effort up and down
the field. The parents on the sideline
commented on how entertaining the game was.
Also in the 8th grade, Draintech Awakeri Diggers had fun in their game against
James Street two, despite
losing 2 - 1. Riki Roia capped an excellent all round game with a good
goal to earn player of the match.
Rhys Cram and Taylah Bateson also performed very well.
Awakeri Steelers continued their good start to the season in the 7th grade,
with a 4 - 1 win against James
Street Two. Mikaela Hancox made a welcome return to the team and was
awarded player of the match.
Khyron Prout also had a very solid game. Mark Morrison and Liam Richards both
scored two goals in what
was a very good team effort.
The 7th Grade Alfresco Court Awakeri Tigers played James Street, and went down
5 goals to 1. Player of
the day for Tigers was Clive McIndoe, who had his best game of the season.
He attacked well and was
unlucky not to score. Caleb Sheather was another to stand out for his chasing
of the ball and good team
play. Leah Sheather continues to play well and was rewarded with Tigers only
goal.
In the 6th grade, Awakeri Kingz had a first, a game against the newly formed
Te Teko team. It was a very
entertaining game, and ended up 2 - 2. Tautari Merito and player of the match
Dean Frost scored the goals
for the Kingz. Shane Gow and Christopher Walker also played well.
Although the Awakeri Rockets were outscored in their 6th grade game against
Edgecumbe, the team still
enjoyed themselves. Kurt Turpie scored a goal for the Rockets and so did a very
determined Samuel
Burgess, who earned player of the day for his great effort. Cameron Morrison
never stopped trying, and is
improving with every game.