|
|
July 31st 2004
Miserable wet and cold conditions were the order of the day for Awakeri’s
soccer teams on Saturday, but those who played enjoyed their first game
for a month.
On a slippery pitch Newcom Awakeri played hard against 15th grade
league leaders Kawerau. Kawerau’s speed and accurate passing saw their
forwards put pressure on goal, with two finding the back of the net. An
accurate cross from Jarred Scoles saw a scramble close to the Kawerau
goal with Paddy Deegan scoring for Awakeri. Good defence from Daniel
Goodhew and Neil Sax saw Kawerau kept out for the rest of the half.
Awakeri came out firing in the second half with top ball through from
Brad Armstrong and the forwards breaking the Kawerau defence.
However, Kawerau stepped up the pace and made the most of the
conditions, scoring two more goals. There also was an own goal by an
Awakeri defender trying to clear in a slippery goal mouth.
Both sides gave a 100% in very wet conditions. Paddy Deegan was named
player of the match for his commitment and tireless effort in attack. The
final score was 5 - 1 to Kawerau.
In the 13th grade, Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers played
Whakatane Allstars at Rex Morpeth Park. Rangers defended well for the
first 10 minutes with no goals conceded, they even threatened the Allstars
goalie twice. However the teams were a grade apart in ability and Rangers
lost 12 - 0. Rangers player of the match was goalkeeper Chris Johnston
who saved dozens of goal attempts.
Private Asset Management Awakeri Aces were short of numbers for their
13th grade game with Whakatane Ajax. Despite playing with only nine,
Aces competed well for quite a while, trading goals with Ajax. The whole
team shared player of the match for their commitment. Vincent Sheather
scored twice for Aces, with Ajax winning 5 - 2.
Da Silva Awakeri Autos continued their table topping run in the 10th
grade, but the play was scrappy with the ground conditions and lack of
recent play having an effect. Keanu Carter was in brilliant form. He
was
named player of the match. Carter and Stephen Glassbrook scored the
goals in a 2 - 1 win against Otakiri Ratbags.
Also in the 10th grade, DrainTech Awakeri Diggers were back in the
mood straight away as they notched up a 7 - 1 win against Whakatane
Rovers. Good team work paved the way, with Sam Schuler’s excellent
passing and work in the centre midfield earning him player of the match.
Schuler, Leah Sheather, Cameron Rio-Kumeroa and Riki Roia were
among the goal scorers.
The only younger age team that braved the conditions were the 6th grade
team Awakeri Tigers. Both Tigers and their Whakatane Giants opponents
were down on numbers, but they all enjoyed the run. Giants scored the
only goal, although Joshua Keightley came close to scoring for Tigers a
couple of times. Liam Sanson made some good saves in the Tigers goal.