Central League Round 6

Central League Round 6

Miramar and Wests met in a top of the table clash at Centennial Park on Saturday.  Wests have had the wood on Miramar in recent years, a trend which Miramar had to halt if they were to maintain top spot in the Central League.  Miramar restored David Batty to the starting line-up along with Steve Jones, and new signing Dominic Rowe made his first appearance for Rangers up front.  Rupert Ryan could only find a place on the bench against his old club, Marco Camparini starting alone in Wests� customary 4-5-1.  That decision appeared a shrewd one as a Sam Peters cross was headed in by the young striker on the half hour.  Peters overlapped well and delivered an accurate ball which was headed in by Camparini almost on his knees.  Miramar had already hit the bar twice by then through Jones, from outside the area, and David Batty whose free kick from the edge of the area struck the underside of the cross bar.  Wests had only conceded 3 times prior to this fixture and with Mike McKinlay in the centre of defence Miramar still struggled for penetration, despite dominating possession for periods.  The home side tended to focus its attacks centrally which proved easy for the congested midfield to break up and as frustration grew, passes began flying into touch.

Miramar began the second spell with more intensity and an increased threat.  Early on Tim Butterfield crossed to Alan Chote whose shot from inside the box flew high and wide and Butterfield himself had a chance when his shot from Rob Kirkness� cross to the back post was blocked.  Wests were sitting deep and looking to attack on the break and the turning point in the match came from such an opportunity.  Dave Johnson was put into acres of space on the left and after running at the Miramar defence he cut onto his right foot and unleashed a fierce shot that Sacha Nathu couldn�t get a hand to.  Miramar pushed men forward in search of the goal to bring them back into the match but gaps began appearing at the back.  Adam Birch made it three, side footing home at the top of the box after a square ball from dangerous substitute John Rowe and the rout was complete after Rupert Ryan scored the fourth, turning Jamie Farrington after controlling a long clearance direct from Phil Imray.

Although the scoreline may have flattered Wests, they were far more clinical in the attacking third and in truth, some long range shots aside, Miramar failed to seriously threaten Imray in the visitors� goal.  Dave Johnson was an attacking threat all day while Adam Birch got forward well in support.  Miramar couldn�t turn possession into chances and Tim Butterfield�s programme comments to that effect proved prophetic.

Stop Out continued their reputation as draw specialists holding Olympic scoreless at the Hutt Raceway.  Olympic struggled to break down a resolute Stop Out defence.  However, the draw was enough to keep them in touch with the leaders despite missing the opportunity to go top.  Stop Out moved off the bottom of the table but will want to begin turning one point into three to allay any relegation fears.

Wellington United continued their giant killing reputation scoring the upset of the round by beating Lower Hutt 3-1 at Newtown Park.  Nick Tarrant further enhanced his reputation with another great performance in the United goal keeping Hutt at bay.  An early goal to Andy Christensen set the tone for a workmanlike first half and their persistence paid off with a second before the break to Robert Cronin.  Hutt had dominated possession and were guilty of some wasteful finishing but hit back early in the second spell through Luis Corrales.  A similar pattern continued throughout the second half but frustration got the better of the Hutt side who ended up with nine men.  Captain Andy Groom made the game safe with his first goal for United, a late penalty.

Gisborne City bounced back strongly after last week�s defeat by thrashing Palmerston North Marist 5-0 in Palmerston.  After announcing mid week that Jakub Sinkora and Tim Schaeffers would join the Sky Blues, and Englishman Robert Gill returning from suspension, a strong City side were too good for Marist taking all three points.  All three got on the score sheet, with Gill grabbing an opportunistic double.  Substitute Damien Finoti scored a late fifth.  City are 6 points off leaders Wests but with games at home to come are still a contender in the title race.

Finally, Napier City Rovers beat Team Taranaki 3-0 at Park Island on Sunday.  Goal scorers Chris McIvor and Leon Birnie, who got a double, are beginning to impress as the improved NZFC form of Hawkes Bay United is beginning to be reflected in Rovers� club side.  Taranaki are yet to win at this level and although only a point off mid table, the longer it takes to get a win the more difficult it will be.  Three points off the lead, Napier will be pleased with their work after a third of the season.

 

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

PTS

Western Suburbs

6

4

1

1

18

3

13

Lower Hutt City

6

3

2

1

12

8

11

Olympic

6

3

2

1

14

10

11

Miramar

6

3

2

1

10

10

11

Napier City Rovers

6

3

1

2

10

7

10

Gisborne City

6

2

1

3

14

12

7

Wellington United

6

2

1

3

7

11

7

Palmerston North Marist

6

1

1

4

4

10

4

Stop Out

6

0

4

2

7

13

4

Taranaki

6

0

3

3

5

17

3

 

james dean2007-05-08 17:33:19

Worth mentioning that Miramar hit the bar twice in the first half, when the score was 0-0.  One of those going in would really have changed the game.

Sorry Frankie Mac, I was a bit late to the game and missed that.  I have updated the report now...

Good write up Cuz. Although you did miss out all the chances Olympic had to put Stop out away. I think its not theyre defence that got them the point, i think it was our sh*t finishing.

Hey Uncle steve,

Everyones entitled to their own opinions...