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August 30th 2008
Awakeri toppling the 15th grade league leaders was the outstanding
highlight of the club's games on Saturday.
Awakeri faced top of the table Whakatane who were unbeaten so far in the season.
Whakatane started very strong and could have taken the early lead with there
shot glancing across Awakeri's goal. Awakeri also had their opportunities to
go 1 - 0 up but Whakatane's goalie and defense denied them on all occasions.
15 or so minutes into the half Matt Reeves slotted a perfect shot past the keeper
to give Awakeri there first of many goals. That goal sparked Awakeri into gear
as they pushed forward and defended well against Whakatane's attacks. Another
Awakeri attack resulted in there second goal to take the score to 2 - 0. At
this point Whakatane's coach was not to impressed with the way the game was
turning out and seemed to boil over with some verbal comments from the sideline
that caught referee Neil Stichbury's attention. Whakatane seemed a little stunned
and couldn't really put anything promising together going into half time.
Awakeri decided to take more of a defensive attitude to
try and retain their 2 - 0 lead, but not long into the 2nd half another brilliant
goal was scored that set the home team supporters into a BIG cheer. It seemed
Awakeri did not want to sit back and defend there lead but yet extend it, and
that they did. Another attack sore the ball in the back of the net which seemed
the destruction of the Whakatane side. The next goal came from a Gareth Rowlands
wonder strike which flew over the goalies head and bounced right into the top
left corner, yet again erupting the home team fans with delight. By this point
Whakatane's attitude had slumped dramatically and they could hardly string many
passes together. By now Awakeri knew they had the win but this did not stop
them from adding to the score line. Persistent forward James Holani scored the
6th in what turned out to be a whitewash. It seemed Awakeri wanted the win more
than Whakatane which in the end, gave Awakeri the result they were looking for.
Top performances to the entire defensive line for their work, to the hard working
midfielders and their contributions to most if not all goals, to the persistent
forwards who calmly took their chances and to the goalie for his outstanding
saves and contributions to the team win. Player of the day went to extremely
hard working Matt McKeown for his magnificent effort in centre midfield. Awakeri
could not have played are more perfect game with coach Josh Hyndman unable to
say much more than "truly outstanding".
The scorers: Matt Reeves: 3, James Holani: 2, Gareth Rowlands: 1.
In the 13th grade The Wrangler Awakeri Aces didn't have enough players, so they
defaulted to Saints, but then had a fun friendly game with a 2 - 3 score line.
Awakeri Knights played Allandale Gunners in the 11th grade. Gunners won 4 -
1, despite the best efforts of player of the day Liam Sanson, who made strong
clearing kicks in his half in goal and then attacked well out on the field.
Sam Holani scored the Knights goal.
The two 8th grade Awakeri Teams (Mosquitoes & Performance Zone Rangers)
came head to head in a fast paced, action packed game. The half time score stood
at 1 - 1, then the Mosquitoes took the lead. In the final minutes Rangers came
back with a well worked goal, leaving the final score at 2 - 2. Sean Young was
player of the day for Mosquitoes and scored their two goals. Christian &
Sophia van der Gulik also both had strong games. For Rangers, Taylor Harte's
strong tackles earned him player of the day, while Quest Tipping was the goal
scorer and Lauren Baxter also played well.
Da Silva Awakeri Autos played very well in their exciting 7th grade game at
Thornton. Kayla Musgrave was named player of the day for a good game in defence
and for a memorable header. Korben Wilson made some good saves in goal to keep
Thornton out, while a long range goal from Isaiah Davidson was enough to give
Autos a 1 - 0 win.
An uncharacteristic lethargic start by Eastern Bay Property Maintenance Awakeri
Rovers allowed an enthusiastic Thistle to take the upper hand in the first quarter
of their 7th grade game. Thistle capitalized upon their advantage and scored
four fine goals in rapid succession. Jacob Hannan responded for Rovers, scoring,
and then hitting the post. Thistle came back again, but in the last seconds
of the half Mikayla Binney-Cox picked-up a loose ball and ran through to score
a good goal.
Rovers were more determined and defended better in the second half. Goalkeeper
Mathew Webb got off his line and made some fine saves. Jacob Davis, Lachlan
Butler and Jacob Hannan were linking well on attack for Rovers. Player of the
day Hannan scored his second goal before Thistle scored a breakaway goal. The
final score: Awakeri Rovers 3, Ohope Thistle 6.
Awakeri T-Rexes had a fun 6th grade game against Kawerau. The parents of both
teams enjoyed themselves on the sideline. T-Rexes are showing some good positional
play. Player of the day Jenae Brownless was available on attack and the team
worked well to get it to her, resulting in a number of exciting attacks. Emily
Julian was dominant in goal, running out to make big clearing kicks.Tara Van
Beekhuizen and Ella Strachan worked hard in the midfield.
Also in the 6th grade, Hi-Way Tyres Awakeri Young Guns fought hard against Ohope
Orcas. Lilly du Toit has improved well over the season and she was named player
of the day.