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May 3rd 2003
Awakeri’s 13 junior soccer teams were pleased to get the first round of
the season
played on Saturday, although the warm conditions were rather testing.
In the 15th grade Awakeri Mysterios had an excellent game against Whakatane.
Through Matt Ward, Ian Sisam and Reender Buikema they had a four goal lead by
half time. Player of the match Buikema went on to net five goals against his
former
club, with Ward chipping in another. Whakatane did well to come back in the
second
half and score twice to keep the Mysterios honest. The final score was 8 - 2.
Despite being short of a few players, the Awakeri team in the Junior High School
Girls League did very well, only losing 2 - 1 to Whakatane. Ashley Cunningham
was
outstanding in goal for Awakeri in the first half. She denied the opposition
time and
again, earning the player of the match award. Liz Moore also had a good game
in
defence, while up front Sarah Macdonald and Danniella Palmer had a very good
combination. A slick passing move between them brought reward in a goal to
Macdonald.
Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri 13th grade side played away to Otakiri
in a
very even match up. Both teams saw plenty of ball and had numerous chances on
goal
but the finishing let them down. Otakiri put the few chances they had away and
went
to the half time 2-0 up. Awakeri dominated play from the kick off in the second
half
with Otakiri putting in some quality ball to their forwards. The Awakeri back
line
stopped all attacks and quickly got the ball though the mid field to the forwards.
A
super goal to Ben McPherson 5 minutes in and continual pressure on the Otakiri
back
line ending in an own goal saw the score even up. First half goalie Jonathan
Whitaker
played some excellent ball across the goalmouth and Sam Hall also shone both
in
attack and defence with his skilful play. James Wilson, who also had top game,
latched onto the ball close to the goal and scored a well deserved goal. A first
class
effort from Daniel Goodhew at centre back saw him rewarded with player of the
day
for his top defence and clean ball to his mid field. All players contributed
to very
exciting and clean game. The final score was 3 - 2 to Awakeri.
A very closely fought 11th grade game was played between Awakeri Aces and Ohope.
Ohope had several strong attacks at the Aces goal but some outstanding goal
keeping
by Robbie Sonntag saw him receive player of the day. Awakeri held Ohope out
at one
nil till half time but a slow start by Awakeri to the second half saw Ohope
score
twice. The Aces then picked their game up to get two goals and miss a couple
of good
shots by Chris Johnston and Mathew Bateson. Even though the final score was
4 - 2 to
Ohope it was an excellent start by the Awakeri side.
Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers got the year off to a good start with a
2 - nil
win against James Street Hot Shots in the 11th grade. In the first half Chris
Stanton
was first to score, after a great cross from Vincent Sheather. In the second
half, this
combination worked again, with Sheather scoring after a Stanton cross. Kimberley
Byres was named player of the day for her excellent defending. This was a very
promising start to the season by Rangers.
Awakeri Hurricanes defended hard through their 10th grade game against Otakiri.
James Holani showed good determination and was named player of the match. David
Ernest also impressed with his running, and Lindsey Cotter had a good game in
goal.
Otakiri won the game 2 - 0.
Da Silva Awakeri Autos had an exciting 9th grade game with Edgecumbe Beckhams.
Autos took a while to get organised, and found themselves down 4 - 2 at half
time.
However, they came back very well to grab a 5 - 5 draw. Keanu Carter and Stephen
Glassbrook played very well up front, while Matthew Orr-McKeown was strong in
defence.
Also in the 9th grade, Draintech Awakeri Diggers had an even game against Kawerau.
Riki Roia scored once, but was denied a number of times by excellent goalkeeping.
Taylah Bateson showed good fitness and was still running hard at the end, to
earn the
player of the match award. The final score was a 1 - 1 draw.
In a skilful encounter, Private Asset Management Awakeri Tigers fought out a
3 - 3
draw with Opotiki Wasps in the 8th grade. The players showed good attitude coping
well with the heat and the large field. Alex Costello earned the player of the
match
nomination. Leah Sheather (2) and Ricky Hollis tucked away the goals for the
Tigers.
The 8th grade Awakeri Steelers all performed well in their first outing for
the season,
taking a 2 - 1 win against Opotiki Gold. Player of the match Thomas Attewell
stood
out with his non-stop running, while Mark Morrison did well in scoring both
the
goals. Steelers look to have a keen attitude this season.
In the 7th grade, the Awakeri Kingz spread out and attacked with vigour against
the
Edgecumbe Dragons. Bryce Burnett earned player of the match, scoring twice,
as did
Tautari Merito, while James Muncaster added another to gain a 5 - 0 win.
Also in the 7th grade, the Awakeri Rockets had a good game with the skilful
Otakiri
Strikers team. Daniel Reeves gave a player of the match performance, working
hard
throughout. Samuel Burgess also did well and almost scored a goal. Kurt Turpie
did
very well in goal, making a lot of saves and keeping the score down to 3 - 0
to
Otakiri.
First year soccer players, Awakeri had an excellent first 6th grade outing,
against
Dallisons Kawerau. The Awakeri players showed they are quick learners, and played
very well. Player of the match Sam McPherson showed good ball control and scored
a
number of goals.