Central League Round 12
Western Suburbs faltered against Wellington Olympic at Newtown Park on Sunday for the second time this year, both teams shooting blanks in a scoreless draw. With both sides without injured midfielders, Raf de Gregorio for Olympic and Darren Cheriton for Wests, the match lacked the quality expected from these two sides. The middle of the park was too often bypassed, and with Marco Camparini, deputising for the injured Rupert Ryan out with hamstring knack, and Anthony Neonakis, frequently isolated up front, attacking chances were all too rare. Ben Feld had the best chance of a tight first half but failed to beat Andrew Toomath from close range when released inside the box. With both sides deploying five in midfield, when the ball did traverse the middle third of the pitch play was often broken up by swarming defenders.
In the second spell Olympic began to shade possession as a tired looking Wests dropped deeper. A fit looking Jared Curtis returned for a substitute appearance having spent the majority of the season playing premier grade Rugby League, but although looking dangerous on the left flank, in truth he was well dealt with by Tim Broadhurst. Jimmy Hadaikis drew a fine save from Phil Imray with a rasping drive from the right but too often Olympic relied on hopeful crosses into the box that were easily dealt with by a Wests' side that was six inches taller on average, and dominant in the air. The main talking point of the second half was an apparent "punch" from underneath the crossbar by Olympic defender Barry Lewis that saved a certain goal. Others, including the referee, felt Lewis headed the ball to safety and if so it was a brave effort by the Olympic hardman who was strong at the back. The second half was peppered with unnecessary yellow cards as referee Matthew Conger, somewhat harshly, punished any errant tackles with cautions.
Miramar overpowered Palmerston North Marist on Saturday afternoon, in an entertaining game at Centennial Park. Marist were unlucky not to be in the lead early when Rangers keeper Sasha Nathu attempted to dribble the ball passed an on-rushing attacker, who managed to affect an excellent block tackle. To the relief of the Rangers keeper, and the frustration of Marist, the ball trickled just wide of the empty net with both players on the ground. Rangers then took control of the game, and deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes when wonder-veteran David Batty met a cut back cross on the edge of a box with a curling shot in to the top corner, that left the Marist keeper rooted to the spot. It was a delightful piece of skill by Batty, that highlighted the excellent run of form that the gazelle-like midfielder is in. Marist equalised 10 minutes later when Glen Fraser cut in from the right wing, played a neat one-two with his striker and buried the ball in the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The game was finely balanced with Marist looking dangerous on the break, until 5 minutes before half time when a deep cross from the Miramar right wing was headed back across goal by the impressive Dominic Rowe, for birthday boy Michael Eager to tap home.
The second half started with strong Rangers pressure, and they earned their reward with 2 excellent Rowe goals. The first came with good work from fellow striker Matt Keane in the inside left channel, who crossed the ball for an unmarked Rowe to tap in at the far post, while the second was a brilliant piece of individual skill, with Rowe beating 3 players before slotting home. The travelling Palmerston team scored a penalty by Jarod Mcelhannen with 10 minutes remaining to make the score line respectable, but Ranger were comprehensive victors.
With a strong wind at their back, Stop Out started encouragingly at home to a Gisborne City side sporting several NZFC stars as well as recently retired All White Noah Hickey. Showing no signs of turmoil following the sudden departure of coach Grant Turner, Stop Out produced some flowing moves which had dangerous winger Arsone Walrond troubling Shane Hooks down the left flank and Wayne Rooker prominent in midfield. However, Gisborne soon settled and took the lead through a well taken goal from English import Robert Gill. Hickey got behind the Stop Out defence and drilled in a perfectly placed cross for Gill no mistake from five yards. Stop Out were back in the game shortly after from a Ben Kistell corner which was drilled low and hard on to the head of Garry McDermott who hammered home, Grant Turner style, from just inside the 18-yard box. Gisborne shot out to a 3-1 lead courtesy of two goalkeeping errors by youngster Sam Bakker who was beaten at the near post by Gill and stood and watched a Jose Ramos speculator bounce into the net. Stop Out pulled a goal back through Kistell, but Gisborne guaranteed their victory when Bakker spilled a harmless shot directly into the path of substitute Lance Eeson who made no mistake from five yards.
Dan Robinson was solid in goal for the victors, while Hone Fowler, Jakob Sinkora, Hickey and Ramos all stood out. Stop Out�s best performers were new player-coach Alec McDonald, Rooker, who was substituted with fatigue at half time, Walrond and Kistell. With relegation still a possibility, they will be hoping from big things from new signing Jason Culpepper over the coming weeks.
Team Taranaki earned their 5th draw of the season in a 1-1 draw with Team Wellington United at the Yarrow Stadium. The 'naki opened the scoring with a wonderful individual goal from super striker Scott 'Scotty' Smith, although Wellington equalised when defender Peter Kelbrick scored an own goal 10 minutes later. The game was marred by the sending off of Wellington player, Will Smith for a late challenge on young keeper Michael Revie, who was forced to leave the field with a suspected broken arm. This put a hitch in the Wellington United pursuit of happyness as the man in black showed Smith a straight red card with 15 minutes to go. The remainder of the game was like the wild wild west, but there were no other bad boys, or changes to the score.
In the remaining game, Napier City Rovers and Lower Hutt City drew 1-1, with a blistering long range effort from Adam Church cancelling out Graham Fyfe's goal for the home team.
Da Selekta2007-06-25 19:27:07
Obviously James Dean and myself cannot attend every game over a weekend, so we get reports from volunteers for the games we cannot get to. If you are volunteering to give us information on Stop Out games, Pass n Move, please IM me your details so we can get your reports every Monday morning.
to be fair....you couldnt slip the Dom under Barry when he jumps.....luv ya work baz!
this has gotta be the first time u've jumped for a ball and not elbowed someone in the mouth!
best you get back out there then - most peole go past me nowadays
chops2007-06-27 11:30:28