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Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand
August 3rd 2002
The Awakeri Hobbits wove their own sort of magic on Saturday,
to lead the way for the Awakeri
Soccer Club. Hobbits were at home to United in the 15th grade. They almost got
off to a flying start,
when they got through for three one-on-ones with the United keeper, who did
well to keep them out.
Jeremy Hawkes opened the scoring for Hobbits, with a well struck shot which
slipped under the keeper.
In the second half, good work from Matthew Ward and player of the match Liam
Fitzgerald led to a
goal by Sean Wright, then Ian Sisam sewed the game up for Hobbits by keeping
cool in front of goal
and wrongfooting the keeper. Hobbits were grateful to 11th grader Hayden Te
Moana for coming on as
substitute and performing well. the result was 3 - 0 to Hobbits.
A totally committed Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri 13th grade side played
Whakatane in a grand
display of skill and teamwork. Awakeri dominated play from the first whistle
with all team members
working together, creating numerous chances for the forwards. Two excellent
goals to Ben McPherson
and one to Simon Barr saw Awakeri go to the break 3-0 up. Whakatane came out
strongly in the second
half and were finally rewarded mid way through with a well-deserved goal. Top
efforts from Jordan
McDonald and Matthew Adamson saw each score for Awakeri. Player of the day went
to a very
deserving Max Butler for his brilliant defence and good skills in the
midfield. All players contributed to
very exciting and clean game. The final score was 5 - 1 to Awakeri.
The Awakeri Wonderwomen played Kawerau in the Intermediate Girls’ league,
and went down 1 - 0 in
the last minute of play. Kawerau had dominated for most of the game with the
Awakeri team defending
bravely. Emma Searle made one spectacular save in goal, and Philippa Haslam
again won player of the
match with a courageous and constructive contribution on attack.
In the 11th grade, Da Silva Awakeri Autos had a tough game against Otakiri.
Otakiri’s quick strikers
always kept Autos under pressure, but an Anthony Sykes goal gained Autos a 1
- 1 draw. For Autos, Sykes,
Hayden Te Moana and Leonard Sonntag all made excellent contributions.
Private Asset Management Awakeri Aces played Ohope Comets, in their first game
in the second round
of the 10th grade. This was the second time in two weeks that the teams had
met and again it was
Ohope who came out on top. In a very good game, both teams passed well and had
several scoring
opportunities. Nicholas Schuler was named player of the day for his excellent
defending skills. He
showed a lot of determination in getting back to make some crucial tackles.
Other stand out performers
for Aces, were Waylen Skipps and Paul Haslam. The final score was 5 - 2 to Ohope.
Waylen Skipps and
Chris Johnston were the two goal scorers.
Also in the 10th grade, Total Power Awakeri Rangers met Ohope Chiefs. A lot
of the game was battled
out in the midfield, with not many chances created. The Ohope keeper did well
to tip Rangers best
chance - a shot from Joshua McCormick - round the post. Sean McLean was
named player of the match
for Rangers, playing well as left back and also in the halves. The midfield
trio Ben Hancox, Hawea
Mansell and Wade Matchitt all played strongly. The game ended in a 0 - 0 draw.
It might have been a case of the 9th grade Awakeri Hurricanes team being better
off staying in bed on
Saturday morning. The team came up against the well drilled James St 1 team,
and just failed to spark.
The opposition quickly wore the Awakeri team down and went on to win well. Brett
Gurran played well
in goal in the first half and worked hard in the second on defence. Destrii
Prout was another to work
hard on defence.
Another hard game was fought out in the 8th grade, between Awakeri Drain Tech
Diggers, and Paroa.
Diggers had quite a few shots at goal, but none were successful, leaving the
game to finish in a 0 - 0
draw. Terri-Anne Hollis earned player of the match with a hard working
game. Taylah Bateson and Sam
Schuler were also in top form.
One of their best games of the season was played by the 8th grade Awakeri Devils,
against a very
determined Otakiri side, with both teams playing a fast paced game. The game
moved up and down the
field with both teams showing good form. Some very good saves by Keanu Carter
in goal helped
Awakeri Devils take a 2 -1 win at full time. Player of the day went to Gemma
Orr-McKeown for getting
really involved in the game and showing soccer skills she didn't know she had.
The 7th grade Alfresco Court Tigers met Thornton and although they put in their
best performance of
the season, Tigers went down 3 - 0. Player of the day for Tigers was Robert
Law, who showed an
excellent commitment and passed well. Clive McIndoe defended brilliantly and
saved Tigers defence
many times. Vinnie Luca also showed a lot of courage in his tackling. Tigers
are playing much better as
a team and are improving each week.
Also in the 7th grade, Awakeri Steelers likewise produced one of their best
efforts. Steelers were two
goals down, before fighting back to win 4 - 2 against James Street. Mark Morrison
had an outstanding
game and grabbed two goals, as did Liam Richards. Emma Bennett was named
player of the match, and
continues to improve with each game.
Continuing the trend of playing their best game of the season, were 6th grade
Awakeri Kingz. Kingz lost
2 - 3 to Edgecumbe, but spread out and used the space well. Bryce Burnett
led the way and was named
player of the match, while Tautari Merito and James Muncaster also had excellent
games.
Despite a brave effort against Otakiri, 6th grade Awakeri Rockets were outplayed.
However some great
attacking skills were shown by player of the game Jennifer Cram. Daniel
Reeves had another solid game
on attack too. Kelsei Ingle and Cameron Morrison also played well.