Central League Review Round 3

Central League Review Round 3

The table has taken on a more settled look after a low scoring round in the Central League this weekend. 

Olympic and Wests played out an exciting one all draw at Endeavour Park on Sunday in a quality game full of incident.  With both teams fielding variations on 4-5-1 Olympic dominated the first half in beautiful conditions.  Raf de Gregorio and Simon George controlled the midfield well with George and Costa Barborouses menacing on the flanks.  However, Wests went ahead though early in the half when David Johnson scored from the penalty spot.  Olympic continued to press after the goal and while their one touch football had Wests chasing shadows, John Harahap marshalled his defence well to prevent Olympic having many clear cut chances.  Rupert Ryan came on at half time for Wests and immediately had an impact with his ability to hold the ball up allowing Darren Cheriton, who was again impressive in the Wests midfield, to come into the game.  Early in the second half Barry Lewis was booked for a heavy tackle on Ryan and appeared to be in danger of a red card after testing the referees patience.  However, it was Ryan who received his marching orders after a horror tackle on Lewis which forced him to leave the field injured.  Ryan was well over the ball, his studs catching the big Olympic defender in the thigh, and could have no complaints about his dismissal.

Olympic then stepped up the pressure pushing Costa and George Barbarouses together up front.  After a neat one touch passing move around the edge of the box involving both brothers, Simon George was released on goal and with only Phil Imray to beat, he was brought down when he looked certain to score.  Raf de Gregorio coolly sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted the resulting penalty.  Wests were defending deeper and deeper but Olympic�s play became more direct after Simon George was substituted and the Chatham Cup holders held on for the draw.  Raf de Gregorio controlled the tempo of the game well for the visitors while Mike Smith put in a typically robust performance for the home side

Miramar secured a tough away win against Palmerston North Marist in a poor game played in windy conditions.  Miramar struggled to break down a determined Marist rearguard despite, Graham Little going close on two occasions in the first half.  With scores even at the break some spark was needed and veteran debutant Steve Jones made an immediate impact as a half time substitute setting up Tim Butterfield for the only goal of the game.  Unable to finish off the match, Miramar endured some nervy moments in the final few minutes but got away with the three points.

In other matches, Gisborne were too strong for Stop Out, defeating them three nil at Childers Reserve.  After a goalkeeping error put Stop Out behind the result was never in doubt for the sky blues.  Lance Eason scored a double while Englishman Robert Gill was impressive up front and added to his round two hat-trick to take an early lead in the race for the golden boot.

Lower Hutt were too strong for Napier City Rovers and moved to the top of the Central League with a two nil win at Bell Park on Sunday.  Michael Madden scored for Lower Hutt with Luis Corrales adding the other to continue his fine early season form in front of goal.

Taranaki got its first away point of the season snatching a one all draw with Wellington United at Newtown Park.  Alex Beresford got his first goal for United but Taranaki replied through Leighton Deardon to go home happy and move off the bottom of the table.

 

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

PTS

Lower Hutt City

3

2

1

0

8

3

7

Miramar Rangers

3

2

1

0

5

3

7

Western Suburbs

3

1

1

1

8

2

4

Gisborne City

3

1

1

1

7

5

4

Wellington United

3

1

1

1

3

3

4

Napier City Rovers

3

1

1

1

3

4

4

Olympic

3

1

1

1

6

8

4

Stop Out

3

0

2

1

4

7

2

Taranaki

3

0

2

1

2

9

2

Palmerston Nth Marist

3

0

1

2

2

4

1

 

Thanks for all this information, it is appreciated.

what constitutes a veteran these days?

Anyone who has played for 5 or more clubs?

so Anelka would be a veteran?  As long as players weight and body shapes are not spoken about in these reports, keep up the good work.