waikato pre-seaon games
Waitakere United v Waikato
McLennan Park
Sunday October 7th
KO 2pm
I'll be the fat c**t in either blue or black. I could be slightly hung over too as its my partners 30th the night before he he
Waitakere United v Waikato
McLennan Park
Sunday October 7th
KO 2pm
I'll be the fat c**t in either blue or black. I could be slightly hung over too as its my partners 30th the night before he he
Would have thought he'd be right or centre back ?
http://melvilleunited.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1347
That report from the Melville forum:
It was tpical pre-season stuff, very even, and everyone got a run.
Waitakere included Simon Eady, Darren Bazeley, Neil Emblen, Jonathan Perry, Hoani Edwards, Benjamin Totori, Commins Menapi, Daniel ellensohn etc, so it was one of the more competitive sides Waikato will encounter.
The bumpy Mclennan Park pitch conspired against too much quality play, though almost gave Waikato a shock goal when Waitak keeper Simon Eady had a whisky shot after the ball from a back pass bounced over his swinging leg clearance, only to hit the post..
Neil Emblen scored the decisive goal about 15 minutes into the second half, with a looping header from a corner. (he played up front in the second half)
I understand it was the first full run for both teams. They'll both be better for it.
I had my eye more on Waikato, naturally. They played 4-3-3 in the first half and 4-4-2 in the second half.
Of the new faces, striker Rob Gill (Doncaster via Gisborne) looked useful up front and had several nice interchanges with Steven Holloway that almost brought goals.
New Welsh signing Dale Williams (left flank, and only ever touches the ball with his left foot) is a big powerful lad but still has a little bit of work to do to get up to speed. Hone Fowler did well at centre back alongside Che Bunce. (Aaron Scott injured). And it was good to see Buncey back in the frame.
I thought Waikato looked a lot stronger than last season, and there will still be a lot of competition for some of those starting positions.
Waikato starting XI: Dan Robinson, Joe Simpkin, Che Bunce, Hone Fowler, Stu Watene, Matt Williams, Jakob Sinkora, Some East European-Amercian, Steve Holloway, Rob Gill, Dale Williams.
Subs: Stanley Waita, Shaun Van Rooyen, Paul Stewart, Boomer Kotchin, David Samson, Luke Findley, Nathan Holten.
I think that was everyone, apologies if I've omitted anyone. Sam wilkinson is coming back from injury, Aaron Scott was also present on the sideline. Eddie Trubshoe was not present, but I understand he's the keeper back up.
Looks like there will be a home game again next Sunday, against a federation team. If anybody has the venue and kick-off time, please post it.
http://melvilleunited.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1347
I think your right. They are very good signings, I'm still not convinced of the overall quality of the squad. When Bunce last played it was like watching a man playing with boys (football) and there are four or five other quality players there. But it must be just a bit disappointing for the Waikatio supporters to see the same names that have failed to deliver in the past and havn't really made an impact on the northern league in the last couple of seasons. I will look foward to watching the promising youngersters like Samson and Scott and can't wait to see if Sam Wilkinson finally starts to mature as a player. Waikato are due a goodyear after being the bolters in year one but as all All Black fans know, just because your due doesn't mean you'll do well.
Waikato FC laboured to a 1-0 win over a Federation XI in Cambridge this afternoon.
It was a pedestrian effort against a side which featured national league players of yesteryear such as Andy Birchenough, Duncan Lowry, Ged Parkinson and Gary Darkes.
Only goal came from a Steven Holloway header in the 34th minute when he flicked home from close range after a rare quick-footed Waikato move down the middle.
Waikato mostly concentrated on keeping possession at the back and in the middle, thus preferring the square ball rather than ever getting in behind the federation XI with early balls. They created few real chances, though the ball was cleared off the goal line from substitute Shaun Van Rooyen�s shot late in the second half. Waikato lost quite a bit of impetus when right back David Samson was taken off at half time and most of their shooting from distance was poor.
Rob Gill had a quiet game while Welsh import Dale Williams still has a lot of work to do to get his fitness and speed up to scratch. Matt Williams and Hone Fowler were the pick of the Waikato players.
Waikato were seldom ever under much pressure, but the result was a victory of sorts for the standard-bearers of Waikato�s federation league. I�d argue the federation team arguably left the pitch with the greater credibility. They haven�t been training together for weeks. Still, Waikato will have appreciated the work out, though appeared to have gone backwards from last week.
Waikato�s starting XI: Dan Robinson, David Samson, Hone Fowler, Che Bunce, Stu Watene, Sam Wilkinson, Matt Williams, Jakob Sinkora, Dale Williams, Rob Gill, Steven Holloway.
Subs included Boomer Kotchin, Tom Edwards, Scott Campbell, Joe
Simpkin, Nathan Holten.