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Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand
August 24th 2002
A must win game between Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri
Athletic and James Street 13th grade
teams produced a fast skilful game. Both teams had numerous chances in the first
half with the goalies
having to work hard. James Street finally slotted one over the goalie’s
head to go 1 - 0 at the break. A
fired up Awakeri side came out in the second half. A nice ball from the mid
field was finished off by Ben
McPherson to level the scores. James Street took the game to a higher level
and after a number of skilful
attacks on goal, they were rewarded with two more deserved goals. The Awakeri
backs Mark Ernest,
Jordan Macdonald, Neil Sax and goalie Simon Barr, with total commitment, kept
the final score to 3 - 1
to James Street. Player of the day went to Jonathan Whitham for his top
mid field play.
The eleventh grade Da Silva Awakeri Autos played Kawerau at Stoneham Park. Autos
moved well
together and had some good attacks. Kawerau's defence made goals hard to get
until Hayden Reeves
ran down the sideline, around the backs to score. Russell Sisam scored in the
second half and Nicholas
Knight earned player of the day for excellent defending. Autos lost 4 -
2.
With the scores tied at half time it was anyone’s game in the 10th grade
match between Private Asset
Management Awakeri Aces and Whakatane Rangers. Rangers however finished much
stronger in the
second half, to run out deserved winners, 4 goals to 1. The player of the day
award was shared between
Mathew Reeves, Jade Cossey and Robert Sonntag, who all had good games.
Robert Sonntag in
particular, made some outstanding saves in goal in the second half when Rangers
attacked well. This has
been a very good season for Aces and with a very young team, there are good
prospects for next year.
Also in the 10th grade, Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers turned on their
best display of the year
with a 2 - 0 win against James Street. Rangers passed the ball around in stylish
fashion. James Attewell
and Chris Stanton scored the goals. There were also fine games from midfielder
Emma Barr and striker
Conrad Gurran. In defence player of the match Brechtsje Tacoma was one
of an outstanding trio, along
with Vikki Lowndes and Hawea Mansell.
Awakeri Hurricanes played a strong Opotiki team in their final 9th grade game
of the season. Although
Hurricanes went down 4 - 1 it was a much improved performance over the first
game between them.
David Ernest was strong in goal, saving many shots. He was well supported by
backs Brent Gurran and
Lindsey Cotter. Madison Constantine, Harry Cotter and Thomas Williams worked
well in the midfield,
while Destrii Prout and Matthew Richmond did their job up front and were rewarded
with a goal late in
the second half. As usual Hurricanes were well supported from the sideline.
In the 8th grade, Drain Tech Awakeri Diggers played Ohope, and had a 4 - 1 win.
Player of the match
Gareth Rowlands scored twice, while Sam Schuler and Logan Munro chipped
in with goals too.
Terri-Anne Hollis had another fine all round game in the midfield.
The final game of the season for the 8th grade Awakeri Devils may have been
one of their best
performances. Playing with a lot of skill, Devils had a 4 goals to 2 win against
Opotiki. Judging by the
way Opotiki played, it must have been one of their better games as well. The
whole forty minutes was a
real crowd pleaser, with the kids showing all the skills and tricks that they
have learned through out the
season. The player of the match went to Sydney Jones, who had an awesome
game.
Awakeri's 7th Grade Alfresco Court Tigers had their last game of the season
against Opotiki Wasps.
With much encouragement by the referee, coaches and spectators, the Tigers went
down 4 goals to 2.
Player of the day went to Vinnie Luca, while Leah Sheather and Robert
Law were the goal scorers. The
Tigers commitment to their match games, and coaching sessions, has brought about
a big improvement.
Well done Tigers!!!
Awakeri Steelers all played very well in their 7th grade game against Opotiki
Angels. Good marking and
tackling was a feature. The game was tied up at 0 - 0 at half time. Mark Morrison
continued his good
form with two goals, but it wasn’t quite enough to win the game as Opotiki
scored three. Tyler Mansell
was named player of the match for his non-stop running.
Awakeri Kingz finished their 6th grade season in style, with their third win
in a row. Tautari Merito
scored twice and Bryce Burnett added another to secure a 3 - 0 win. Dean
Frost earned player of the
match with some excellent attacking skills.
6th grade Awakeri Rockets played against James Street.They had an awesome game,
where the whole
team never stopped trying to the end. Kelsei Ingle and Daniel Reeves played
especially well on defence,
while Kurt Turpie showed off his great attacking skills.
In the 15th grade, Awakeri Hobbits played a friendly game against Whakatane.
While Hobbits had a few
absentees through illness, they still put together a competitive performance.
Hobbits had the greater
share of possession, but also had to deal with the quick breaking Whakatane
forwards. Defenders
Nicholas Haslam and Matthew Shaw led the way in keeping the opposition out,
they were ably assisted
by Steven Smit and Matthew Barr. After the interval, Nicholas Law beat the Whakatane
defence on a
solo run and scored a good goal. Late in the game however, Whakatane came back
and caught Hobbits
with too many men forward. They scoed twice in the last four minutes to take
the game 2 - 1. Nicholas
Law was named player of the match for the Awakeri team.