Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand


April 27th 2002

Wet conditions disrupted the first round of EBOP junior soccer for many teams. However six of Awakeri’s
thirteen teams did take the field.

The Awakeri Hobbits had a rude awakening in the 15th grade. Their talented Ohope opposition played some excellent soccer and had an 8 - 0 lead at half time. However the Awakeri side came back in the second half, giving Ohope less time on the ball and the final result was 9 - 1. For Awakeri, Nicholas Law earned player-of-the-match for his commitment. He was switched to defence at half time and stopped many Ohope attacks. The Hobbits created a number of chances later in the game and Matthew Ward volleyed one past the Ohope keeper after a good cross from Croydon Little.

The first 13th grade game of the season was a pretty even match between Adamsons Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri Athletic and Plains Edgecumbe. Athletic had the better of the first half with excellent play in the forwards by Ben McPherson, Kelly Stanton, David Wakelin and Jonathan Whitaker. Whitaker finally rewarded numerous attacks with a brilliant goal. The backs saw little action, but when the goal was threatened, Mark Ernest and Jordan McDonald showed top skills in clearing the ball to their mid field players. Simon Barr in goal stopped all attempts. In the second half, Edgecumbe came back with an equaliser and then two more goals from good running play. Syste Tacoma tackled and set up some good ball for the Awakeri forwards. Awakeri was unlucky not to convert numerous shots on the Edgecumbe goal. The final score was 3-1 to Edgecumbe. Player of the day was Jonathan Whitaker.

Awakeri’s intermediate girls team hosted a strong, well drilled Opotiki team. Opotiki put a lot of pressure on the home side, who held out well till the final ten minutes when the visitors scored two well taken goals. Rink Tacoma was the Awakeri player of the match. She showed a lot of skill and speed around the paddock. Opotiki took the game 2 - 0.

The David da Silva Awakeri Autos 11th grade played at home against Whakatane. The Autos combined well to pass the ball from the backs to the forwards for some good goal shots. Cody Fowell earned player of the day for solid defending. Autos lost 0 -3.

Ninth grade Awakeri Hurricanes played Whakatane Nippers in a very close encounter. The whole team gave
it 110% with some good runs runs from Harry Cotter, Matthew Fulton and Matthew Richmond. The player
of the day was Thomas Williams who got the team out of trouble with his big kicks into space. The final
score was 2 - 0 to Whakatane.
Drain Tech Awakeri Digger were the only team to register a win or their club, when they had a good work
out against Ohope in the 8th grade. Sam Schuler and Gareth Rowlands scored the goals to gain a 2 - 0 win.
Rowlands was named player of the day for his excellent running. Terri-Anne Hollis and Mark Burnett also
impressed for Diggers.

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