Central League Round 5

Central League Round 5

Round 5 of the Central League went with the form book but a log jam still remains at the top of the table.

Miramar took on a visiting Gisborne City side in the match of the round on Sunday.  Centennial Park had cleared of the surface water from the previous days� rain and the conditions were good for football.  Gisborne striker Robert Gill was suspended and Miramar surprisingly opted to leave Graham Little and David Batty on the bench.  Gill�s replacement, Zimbabwean marksman Lance Eeson, proved to be a more than adequate replacement for the Englishman and led the line ably.  He manufactured the best chance of the first period after a cross from the lively Pomare Te Anau on the left but pulled his shot narrowly wide of Sacha Nathu�s goal.  Neither midfield could grab hold of the match and chances were at a premium.  However, Eeson buried his second opportunity to give Gisborne the lead.  Miramar failed to deal with a deep corner and a low cross fell to Eeson in the box who had time to control before side footing home.  That prompted a change on the Miramar bench and Graham Little was introduced after 37 minutes. 

The second period began in a similar manner to the first.  Eeson continued to play a strong hand up front, manufacturing a chance that could have put the game beyond Miramar he nutmegged a defender on the edge of the box before having his shot beaten away.  Miramar still struggled to break down the resolute Gisborne back four despite Little�s increased threat.  However, the match soon turned on its head.  A lunging two footed tackle by a Gisborne substitute had JP Hassan writhing in agony and Kevin Fallon up in arms as referee Jim Murphy showed a deserved straight red.  Miramar responded by introducing David Batty and pushing Rob Kirkness and Tim Butterfield further forward in search of the elusive goal.  With Michael Eager increasingly influential it seemed only a matter of time until the goal came.  Batty had a fierce drive turned round the post by a sprawling Daniel Robinson before a Graham Little cross was headed home beautifully by 17 year old Keiichi Nguyen.  The diminutive striker showed some lovely touches and looks a real prospect.  Minutes later the same combination produced a similar goal, this time converted cleverly by Nguyen with the chest.  Graham Little put the icing on the cake at the second attempt after being put through clean on goal close to full time.  For Miramar another important win highlighted their determination not to surrender the Central League title easily.  Michael Eager cut a composed figure that belied his youth, driving the team forward after the dismissal.  Watching Gisborne it is clear they have quality results in them, but that things just aren�t going their way. 

In the local derby between Olympic and Wellington United an ever improving Olympic continued their good scoring form to put pressure on the leaders.  Once again United conceded an early goal as a result of good play from Costa Barbarouses, who despite having one of his quieter days still managed another two goals to lead the race for the golden boot.  It is worth remembering that the young man has still to celebrate his 17th birthday.  Alec Beresford soon equalised with a delightful top corner finish but parity on the scoreboard didn't last long, as Olympic scored with a powerful header from a corner.  Olympic failed to add to the scoring early in the second half despite some decent opportunities.  But midway through the half the flood gates opened.  Olympic looked dangerous on every attack and three goals in twenty minutes rounded off an emphatic 5-1 victory. Mikey Halikias, Barry Lewis and Raf de Gregorio rounded out the scoring.

Team Taranaki stole a last minute equaliser at Yarrow�s stadium to deny Stop Out their first win of the season.  Sam Higgins opened the scoring after ten minutes, nodding home after confusion in the Taranaki back line.  Matt Bennett extended Stop Out�s lead before an exciting finish to the match.  Midfielder Nick Betteridge�s goal for the amber and black�s started their search for a point and Pte Kelbrick completed it with the last kick of the game.  In truth, it was no less than Taranaki deserved after missing chances in the final twenty minutes, Tyson Brandt especially culpable after a one on one with goalkeeper Dave Finlay.  Both sides remain at the foot of the table, but a single win would be enough to elevate them several spots.

 

Wests continued their good recent form to jump into third spot.  The Chatham Cup holders have conceded just three goals all year and continued with a 2-0 victory at Porirua Park over Napier City Rovers.  Rovers have started the season well but came unstuck on Saturday, failing to break down a well organised back four.  Leon Birnie had his first run of the campaign to no avail as Darren Cheriton and David Johnston scored for the hosts.

 

Finally, Lower Hutt remain at the top of the table on goal difference after �Roy of the Costa Rica� Clark scored his third in two weeks against Palmerston North Marist at Bell Park.  They have the opportunity to maintain top spot against Wellington United on Saturday at Newton Park.

james dean2007-05-01 12:21:36

                                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA  Pts
Lower Hutt City        5  3   2  0  11   5    11
Miramar Rangers      5  3   2  0  10   6   11
Western Suburbs      5  3  1  1  14   3   10
Olympic                     5  3   1  1  14  10  10
Napier City Rovers    5  2  1  2   7   7    7
Palm Nth Marist          5  1  1  3   4   5   4
Gisborne City             5  1  1  3   9  12   4
Wellington Untd         5  1  1  3   4  10   4
Stop Out                    5  0  3  2   7  13   3
Taranaki                    5   0   3  2   5  14   3

I love the "Roy of the Costa Rica" Clark gag - it makes me think of "Roy of the Rovers", but the guy is from Costa Rica.  Genius.

With Miramar playing Wests an Olympic playing Stop out, Watch us jump up to second, and if the results come our way, Olympic might end up first. Chahoo.

Many at the Lower Hutt game thought they were lucky to get the 3 points. Roy "of the Costa Rica" Clarks goal was a hotly disputed Penalty. I wont comment on it as I didnt have a good view. If Manawatu play like that each week they will be able to trouble most teams.

great article jimmy dean. i'm really enjoying these central league reviews.  is anyone up north or down south able to come up with some similar northern league content?

Excellent stuff James, I too enjoy reading the Central League reviews. Keep it up. Hopefully Island Bay United will be in your reports next year

I'll be watchin Miramar Wests today, should be a cracker!!  2.30 Centennial Park.

Can the Stop Out draw specialists pull one off against Olympic? I hope so, but it will be tough.

Yes.  Thats a very good result.   BUT no wins put the club at risk point wise.

Very unlucky we drew with stop out... uncle steve2007-05-07 14:09:46