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Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand
August 25th 2001
A number of Awakeri soccer teams had their final games of the season on Saturday.
The day’s highlight was an outstanding team game from Adamson’s Amcal
Pharmacy
Awakeri Athletic as they became the only team to take points off Meikles Kawerau
in
the 11th grade A division. Athletic dominated the game with some excellent passing
and took the lead. Jonathan Whitaker had a grand run down the right wing, beating
two defenders before putting in a low hard cross. Striker Darren Groom ran in
to drive
the ball into the goal. Athletic held this lead until near the end when Kawerau
converted one of their few chances to snatch a 1 - 1 draw. Ben McPherson’s
non-stop
running put a lot of pressure on the Kawerau defence and earned him player of
the
match. Mark Ernest continued his good form with some telling tackles in midfield.
Neil Sax played a blinder too, while Sytse Tacoma produced his best game, playing
some great balls down the wing.
Another exciting game was that between David da Silva Awakeri Autos and Paroa
in
the 11th grade C division. The game was very even and both teams enjoyed playing
in
the teeming rain. Player of the match Kylee Burke put in some good running
and
made some strong clearing kicks. James Wilson grabbed a goal for Autos to share
the
game 1 - 1.
An excellent first half by Gould Contracting Awakeri Hotshots in their 13th
grade
clash with James Street was somewhat undone by a lackadaisical second half.
James
Street had taken out the first round meeting 10 - 1, so Hotshots decided to
use some
man-to man marking on this occasion. Tight defence in the first half meant only
one
James Street attack got through, and had the half time score at 1 - 0. However
the
James Street scored five more times in the second half to comfortably take the
game.
Players to do well were Matthew Shaw, who had a good second half and
was named
player of the match. Ian Sisam worked hard all round the park for the whole
game,
and Troy Jansen did a very good job marking in the midfield. The final score
was
James Street 6, Hotshots 0.
Awakeri’s ninth grade teams enjoyed playing each other. The two teams were
evenly
mixed and had a competitive game. For the 9th Grade Private Asset Management
Aces, Devon Swart showed his recent rep experience, by running at defenders
with
good control. Player of the day was shared between Steven Law, for his
excellent
tackling and Joe Burke, who had his best game of the year. Both teams
enjoyed a
relaxing swim at the Awakeri Hot Springs afterwards.
In the 8th grade, Awakeri Chiefs had fun in the mud against Whakatane Two in
their
two 5 aside games. Harry Cotter made lots of good tackles to earn the
player of the
match award. Matthew Richmond ran hard all game and emerged covered in mud at
the end! Whakatane used good team-work to win both games.
Awakeri Blue Stingers played a good quality 7th grade game with the polished
Dallison’s Kawerau side. Kawerau acknowledged that it was their hardest
game of the
season and battled to a 3 - 0 win. Stingers create a number of chances and were
unlucky not to score. The player of the match award was shared by the whole
team for
their hard running.
Also in the 7th grade, Drain Tech Awakeri Diggers shared two high scoring games
with Whakatane One. All players were keen to finish their season on a strong
note
and played up to their best.
The 6th grade Alfresco Court Motel Tigers played Allandale on a muddy pitch
at
Awakeri. In a very fiercely contested game, Tigers eventually came out narrow
victors. Liam Richards stood out for his outstanding goal shooting, while Leah
Sheather contested every ball. Vinnie Luca and Alex Christiansen had some nice
touches. Each member deserves to be congratulated for their excellent team spirit
and
the improvement they've all shown during the year.
Awakeri Rockets were disappointed to have their last 6th grade game of the season
cancelled. This was the second week in a row that Rockets missed playing, so
they
will have to look forward to the club break-up day when they will play their
parents.