15th June 2019

The woodwork denied Awakeri Ninja's twice in the final minutes as they searched for a goal in their epic 13th grade battle against Foxy Feet on Saturday.
Foxy Feet scored early with a well worked team goal, but Awakeri replied soon after. Kobi Wetting was put through the defence and he slotted the one on one with the keeper. The Ninjas took the lead after 25 minutes. Brad Yuill found Ben Peat with a pass and Ben calmly scored. Two minutes later Kobi earned a free kick and Cody Parsons scored from the rebound. The end of the half was frantic. Foxy Feet scored from a deep cross. A minute before half time Ben Peat had a shot cleared off the line, but he buried the ball in the net from the resulting corner. At half time the score was 4 – 2 to the Ninjas.
After the break Kobi hit the bar from a good cross. Foxy Feet then had control for a period, scoring twice from lobbed shots and then again to take the lead 5 – 4. Ninjas peppered the Foxy Feet goal late in the game. Ben Peat had two shots well saved, Brad Yuill had a shot saved from distance and then Joseph Spalding hit the post. Somehow Foxy Feet survived and took the game 5 – 4.
Sophie Growden's fantastic work in the centre of defence earned her player of the day, but it had been a total team effort.
There were lots of other great results for Awakeri's team too. In the 11th grade, Cascade Charters Awakeri Raptors had a good game, with a 6 – 0 win over Whakatane Makos.
Their player of the day was Ari Henman, who had an outstanding game on defence.
Also in the 11th grade, Awakeri Magic played Ohope Orcas. Magic turned up with seven players and Ohope kindly gave them two players- Harry and Benji. The game was open and fast. There was big open passing with Magic putting the most pressure on. Arran Dominick scored a goal which was a chip from distance into the far top corner of goal (a goal of the season contender). Ohope scored to make it 1-1 at half time. Ryan Lambert and Ryan Ashton both scored in the second half to grab a 3 – 1 win to Magic. Players of the day were Jayden Grindrod and Ohope's Benji for outstanding defence.
Awakeri Mustangs had a 3 - 2 win against Kawerau in the 9th grade. Fergus Rowe scored a hat trick. The player of the day was Ava Macdonald.
Also in the 9th grade, Awakeri Athletic went down 2-0 to Allandale. Josh Spalding was player of the day.
Awakeri Phoenix played Whakatane Town Gladiators in the 8th grade. Gladiators won 7 - 2. Innes Tootell and Joe Ferguson scored Awakeri's goals. Player of the day went to Coby Rutledge for great defensive play.
In the 7th grade, Awakeri United had a couple of good games, getting two wins. They had no subs so the four players (Tanner Willetts, Josh Jennings, Bonnie Brownlee and Dylan Leech) did very well. First game v Whakatane Town Snappers, 2-1 score with Tanner and Josh scoring the goals. Game two v Awakeri Rangers, 3-1. Josh scored all the goals. Player of the day went to Dylan for an all-round awesome game with great team work and clearing kicks.
Awakeri Rascals had a great morning of soccer in the 7th grade. They were down to three players again. They had an awesome game against Kawerau, Rascals lost 6 - 2 but was a really good game on both sides. They played Ohope in the second game, who gave them two players. It was a 4 – 1 win. The goals scored by player of the day Harry Davidson and Max Mead. McKenzie Nurkka also had a tremendous morning of soccer.
Awakeri Aces had two good games in the 6th grade. They played Plains Pukekos, a 6 – 0 win, with goals from Kyan Krause and Jude Sweeney. The second game was against Ohope Stingrays, a 5 – 0 win, with the same two scorers. Player of the day was Skylar Dods for some wicked passing and bossing the midfield like a young Steven Gerrard setting up Jude and Kyan on numerous occasions!
Also in the 6th grade, Awakeri Eagles went down 2 - 0 in our first game against the Awakeri Rovers but came back fighting in the second game, winning 5 - 0 against the Whakatane Town Dolphins. Eagles had four players and did really well playing both games without substitutions. The goals were scored by Harvey Ferguson and player of the day Mylee Mathews, who scored four.
Such a beautiful morning at Warren Park soccer fields today.
The 6th grade Awakeri Rovers played two awesome games. They were two players down so the kids had to work hard. In their first game they played against the Awakeri Eagles. Great defence by Maddie Paling and Tobi Tootell led to a 2 – 0 win. Tobi and Scarlett Mead scored a goal each. Scarlett's goal was amazing! Their second game was against the Poroporo Pukekos, a 4 – 1 win. Corbin James earned his first hat trick, with Tobi also scoring. Players of the day were Maddie for great defence and Scarlett for her amazing goal.

Back to other reports