Went down to watch Whanganui v North Wellington today. Good bloody turnout down Wembley which was nice to see.
First half was a really tight affair, with Whanganui perhaps shading the chances and overall run of play. They were sucker punched after half an hour or so by a nice Okamura finish which stopped any home team momentum and was the precursor for Athletic fading away badly in the second half.
Despite the result, Melvin Rumere was really good for Athletic up top and switching between Left/Right Wing. Fast, technically very good and loved to take on the man which was pleasing to see - If he played a couple of more simple passes instead of risking turning over the ball and running into a tackle then he would be an absolute nightmare to go up against. As it was he gave North Wellington defenders a torrid time when he was in possession, and he turned more than a few inside out with quick feet. Faded out after about an hour or so, which was when Athletic really started to drift out of the contest as a whole.
Anto Okamura was bloody good value for North Wellington, especially in the second half when he managed to find acres of space against a tiring Whanganui outfit. He managed a double (1-0 & 3-0) and won the penalty for the 2nd.
The moment of the match for mine was Okamura winning the penalty, and the actions immediately afterwards! After the penalty was awarded he went to grab the ball to put it on the spot. Tim Fenton then grabbed the ball off him and placed it on the spot himself causing Okamura some visible upset - He was gesturing that he won the penalty so he should take it, so he stood in front of the ball as a protest (😂) while Fenton was readying himself to line up and take it. In no uncertain terms it was imposed on him that he wouldn't be taking it, so he slunk off back to halfway without so much as even turning and looking at the penalty. Don't think I've seen that before, but it was certainly a good laugh!
Anyway, it finished 5-0 to North Wellington, probably no complaints at the final score to be fair. Although Whanganui will be disappointed that they let what was a nice tight contest for that first hour or so, eventually slip to such a heavy defeat.
First half was a really tight affair, with Whanganui perhaps shading the chances and overall run of play. They were sucker punched after half an hour or so by a nice Okamura finish which stopped any home team momentum and was the precursor for Athletic fading away badly in the second half.
Despite the result, Melvin Rumere was really good for Athletic up top and switching between Left/Right Wing. Fast, technically very good and loved to take on the man which was pleasing to see - If he played a couple of more simple passes instead of risking turning over the ball and running into a tackle then he would be an absolute nightmare to go up against. As it was he gave North Wellington defenders a torrid time when he was in possession, and he turned more than a few inside out with quick feet. Faded out after about an hour or so, which was when Athletic really started to drift out of the contest as a whole.
Anto Okamura was bloody good value for North Wellington, especially in the second half when he managed to find acres of space against a tiring Whanganui outfit. He managed a double (1-0 & 3-0) and won the penalty for the 2nd.
The moment of the match for mine was Okamura winning the penalty, and the actions immediately afterwards! After the penalty was awarded he went to grab the ball to put it on the spot. Tim Fenton then grabbed the ball off him and placed it on the spot himself causing Okamura some visible upset - He was gesturing that he won the penalty so he should take it, so he stood in front of the ball as a protest (😂) while Fenton was readying himself to line up and take it. In no uncertain terms it was imposed on him that he wouldn't be taking it, so he slunk off back to halfway without so much as even turning and looking at the penalty. Don't think I've seen that before, but it was certainly a good laugh!
Anyway, it finished 5-0 to North Wellington, probably no complaints at the final score to be fair. Although Whanganui will be disappointed that they let what was a nice tight contest for that first hour or so, eventually slip to such a heavy defeat.