2022 Men’s National League – Week Two Review
(Quick yarns before we begin to say that these round-ups do require a hefty amount of effort so if you appreciate the words and images, give a ponder upon supporting the mahi on our Patreon page – much obliged [shaka emoji])
Christchurch United vs Napier City Rovers
Contrasting fortunes for these two teams in round one, as Christchurch United travelled as far north as they’ve gotta go for a defeat to Birkenhead – although they were pretty competitive – whereas Napier City Rovers hosted the WeeNix and grabbed a cheeky 1-0 victory. Christchurch Utd were back on their home turf this week and looking to show a little more of that Southern League champion pedigree.
Christchurch United only made one change to the team that lost 3-1 to Birkenhead: Mika Rabuka in for Leonardo Uribe, rewarded for some fine work in setting up their week one goal as a sub. Yet there was a very different look to them as they ditched the back three for a 4-3-3 shape. Riley Grover dropped in alongside Blake Weston at CB. Ben Lapslie and Jordan Spain as fullbacks. Joe Hoole and Matt Todd-Smith in midfield with Mika Rabuka ahead of them and Noah Billingsley had a roaming number nine role. Will Pierce and Eddie Wilkinson outside him up front. Also Scott Morris in goal, a fella who’d know a lot of these NCR boys from his Hawke’s Bay days (as would his coach Paul Ifill).
There was a surprise in the NCR line-up... coach Bill Robertson having to lace ‘em up due to a few others going missing. He only tends to play sporadically when he can help it but s’pose he couldn’t help it, not with no Fergus Neil or Jim Hoyle in attendance. Fetuai Belcher also dropped into the back three. Elsewhere it was all the same as week one with the exception of welcoming back the services of tied top scorer Jonny McNamara.
Both teams set up with numbers deep which meant forwards getting crowded out, though that didn’t stop Eddie Wilkinson charging through a couple tackles to ping one past the far post for CU. Or Cam Emerson with a mint switch to Christian Leopard who lashed one wide from the left wing for NCR. It was a cautious start but chances were slowly emerging. Mika Rabuka had a great one on the end of a square Wilkinson cross only he was a little too close to keeper Oscar Mason to be able to get it past him from a few yards out. NCR’s Leaford Allen had a pair of early efforts too, though neither was hit particularly well.
A gentle touch from Belcher allowed Wilkinson to steal through at pace but Kaeden Atkins got over with a clutch sliding challenge in the area just as the shot was about to be unleashed. From the subsequent 21st minute corner, delivered by Wilkinson, the NCR defence didn’t deal with the ball to the near post and it seemed to be flicked in by Matt Todd-Smith... except the goal was disallowed for some reason. Couldn’t see a foul in there anywhere. Maybe a handball by MTS? Can’t think of anything else it might have been. Strange days.
Emerson sent a dart into Morris’ gloves for NCR, who also had a genuine outlet in Leaford Allen and his canny use of strength. However right as it felt like Rovers were getting some ascendency they almost got popped from a corner kick scramble that needed Liam Schofield to clear the ball off his own line, with Mason gathering up the extras before any of the home teamers could pounce. Goalless at the break and nobody had any genuine idea which way this was heading.
It was quite blustery at Christchurch Football Centre which may explain the corner kick shenanigans as there was another at the beginning of the second half which Jordan Spain got a head to for Chch that Bill Robertson blocked and cleared off the line. Wilkinson and Rabuka also brought their dribbling exploits out to create a few halfies. Good spell for United.
Just as we were getting into ‘game needs a goal’ territory... we got one. Napier City were furious about it but what happened was Todd-Smith lifted a deep ball to the back post where Mika Rabuka shot and was denied by Mason. Then he had the ball kicked into his leg and it looped into the middle of the goal where Jordan Spain was there to make sure. The appeals were surely for offside... though replays suggested Spain was probably level. Also Chch had the phantom disallowed goal earlier so, you know, that’s how it goes.
Shoulda been 2-0 right away as Spain then did some great work on the right to get a cross over to where Benji Lapslie was basically unmarked but his header came back off the crossbar. Billingsley’s follow up header was then blocked point-blank by the brave noggin of Atkins (loooots of Rovers defensive blocks, those fellas don’t know fear). Not exactly a pristine couple minutes for Lapslie, actually. Because he skied his next shooting attempt getting forward on the left. Then on the hour, five mins after his team had taken the lead, he did this...
Luckily NZF appear to have credited that goal to Jonny McNamara even though it really looks like an own goal. A little kind-hearted flexibility works nicely with those ones... Jonny Mac would way rather have the goal than Benji Lapslie and this way Leaford Allen gets rewarded with his second assist in two weeks. Christchurch Utd shoulda been up two, instead they were back on level footing.
Rovers were also in a back four by now which meant more numbers forward (most valuably McNamara playing through the middle) meaning a much more stretched game than it had been. Which also contributed to Jordan Spain getting into their penalty area again and this time drawing a foul from Christian Leopard. Ed Wilkinson stepped up to take it. And Oscar Mason did this...
Jeepers, son. That’s one hell of a save. Not even a bad take from Wilko. 1-1 it remained. On another day they’d be 3-1 up and Spain would have two assists to go with his goal. Christchurch United getting frigid with their home fans.
Billingsley had three goes at a chance with two blocked and the third saved. Ninety-odd metres away Allen was about to burst his way into the area when he was whistled up for a hard shoulder on Spain. Then Sho Goto was set up at the top of the box but he got blocked by the impressive Riley Grover. Grover, still a teenager, is one of a couple players who’ve come through Paul Ifill’s academy before joining him at CUFC.
Fouls were a recurring theme in the latter stages, no doubt down to a hint of fatigue with each team only using two substitutes. The defences had played well all day so all that remained was to see if there was time for one last big chance to win the thing. Allen almost had one but Blake Weston stepped across in time to extinguish it. At the other end Weston stretched out to get a nudge on a long ball into the box but couldn’t get it on target. Then back to NCR whose Leaford Allen flicked a backwards header onto the crossbar. Joe Hoole volleyed over for CU. And with one of the final acts of the game, Allen flicked in McNamara (who might’ve been offside but didn’t look like the flag was going up) and, one on one, with Scotty Morris... the keeper won the battle.
So yeah there were late chances. But nothing doing in terms of a winning goal. 1-1 was the final score and Christchurch Utd will be happy to get something on the board but honestly they should have won that. If you miss a penalty and have a goal randomly disallowed as well as wasting a few other good looks and go on to draw then that’s how it feels. Jordan Spain had a great game. Already mentioned him and Riley Grover. Chuck in Scott Morris too. And the likes of Noah Billingsley and Eddie Wilkinson are always dangerous. They’ll rate themselves a chance against Auckland United next week... especially since coach Paul Ifill was commentating on the WeeNix vs AK Utd game for Sky TV the next day. Getting paid to do his scouting. That man has clocked the game.
Napier City Rovers remain unbeaten. Wasn’t sure how they’d cope in this National League but they’ve already proven that they’ve got plenty of heart and a committed defence. Dudes like Robertson and especially Kaeden Atkins stood out with their work at the back. Imports Jonny McNamara and Leaford Allen combined nicely. Sho Goto was solid in the midfield. Gotta think that Rovers would have snapped at four points from these first two games.
Miramar Rangers vs Birkenhead United
We had a phantom goal in the first match, here we almost had an entire phantom game. Kickoff was pushed back half an hour after Birkenhead’s flight to Wellywood got delayed and then the live stream was a shambles, unable to get going on time despite the delay. Eventually they got it up but by then we were twenty minutes into the game and had already missed a Dane Schnell goal (12’) for Birkenhead United. The Southern United women’s game had technical issues as well this week. Also for some dumbarse reason the Rangers vs Birko game is currently unlisted on YouTube so this was almost a very short game segment. They make it bloody hard to cover this league sometimes, seriously.
Anyway, here’s proof that the first twenty minutes did indeed happen...
Miramar Rangers seem to be going through some things. Not a lot of players still around from the South Central Series championship a year ago, many of them moving on to professional gigs, and even based on last week’s 4-0 defeat to Cashmere Tech there were changes. Neil Achary came in as goalie, Spencer Cameron as a winger, and Tiahn Manuel at fullback - after all three featured off the bench last time. Also some bloke called Hamish Watson started up front. Different look to Rangers with a 4-1-4-1 shape as opposed to the familiar back three.
Birkenhead Utd had a few alterations themselves despite a solid, set-piece fuelled win in week one. Andy Cromb wasn’t there hence Nick Forrester joined the defensive trio. Cameron MacKenzie and Codey Phoenix arrived as both wing-backs. Luke Jorgensen also came into the midfield meaning that Sam Burfoot and Dane Schnell each moved a step further forward. Schnell responded by scoring that early goal, bundling in from a corner kick scramble. Yet another goal from a Birkenhead set piece.
Rangers remain a well-drilled side under Scotty Hales even if there are a few more youngsters in there than usual and you could see them moving the ball nicely, trying to get it to the feet of Watto, Bevin, and SMS. But Birkenhead played rough at the back, as you’ve gotta do against Hamish Watson – need to meet him at his own house – and were then lightning in transition. Luke Jorgensen went close with a stab from outside the area. Connor-McClean lifted one onto the roof of the net, just a smidge too much on it as Achary advanced. The flow was close but the chances were all Birko’s.
Such as Cam MacKenzie’s speedy run infield from RWB, drawing in a defender them slipping it behind for ACM... who struck it wide. Not ideal for Connor-Mack’s confidence after missing a few last week too. Schnell nearly pounced on a loose Liam Wood back-header but the ball got away from him. There was a silky Rangers attack in which Scott Midgley and SMS combined beautifully leading to a Bevin shot... but in the process Midgley picked up an injury that saw him need to be replaced after 35 mins (Jorge Akers on in his place... going left-back with Tiahn Manuel swapping to the right).
Watto was up for the challenge. He began throwing himself around and using his body even more and that led to a couple decent chances, one for himself and one for Andy Bevin. All of which helped anchor them in attack and guess what? With mere seconds remaining in the half, Watson won a free kick securing the ball back near halfway. Milovanovic pumped it into the mixer... and Watson won a penalty getting a nudge in the back by Schnell. Not an abundance of contact, Watto simply knew how to draw and tumble. Naturally he scored the penalty himself.
He celebrated by thumping the ball back into the net a second time, then roaring like an untamed beast, then continuing his walk off the field and into the sheds because it was now half-time.
Birkenhead had bossed the first thirty-odd minutes only to be even at the break so a response will have been demanded by Paul Hobson. Initially that took the form of some hard tackles as both teams got rough with it. Then it took the form of Cam MacKenzie working his way up the right flank, hitting a one-two with Burfoot inside, then squaring to Alex Connor-McClean who swept it in to restore the Birko lead. That, ladies and gents, was a smoooooth piece of football. Birkenhead can do it from open play too, folks. There’s that awaited goal for ACM too.
Rangers could have been level within minutes after some brilliant work from Watson, weaving into a crossing position, led to Bevin lifting his effort over the bar from about eight yards. Heaps of juice on the cross though of all people you’d have thought Bevin would gobble that up. The pendulum swing then had Liam Wood getting in the way of a Connor-McClean effort before Achary saved rebounded attempts from McKenzie and Phoenix.
A pair of dynamic runs by Spencer Cameron gave Rangers some buzz. Akers curled one high after some quality build-up. Mason-Smith was always ready with a sharp touch dropping in. Very much still up for grabs with quarter of an hour left even as Rangers threw on young fellas Hunter Wilson and Michael Kennedy. Very much so because a 75th minute corner kick by Jorge Akers was guided in off the head of Josh Rogerson to make it 2-2, in you go. Took a deflection off a defender on the way but no dramas. Miramar Rangers with a second equaliser.
But in the 81st min, Schnell laid one off for Burfoot who struck a right-footed dig at goal and Achary wasn’t able to hold it. Jorgensen was there first for the seconds. Parity lasting a mere six minutes. It wasn’t a goober from Achary but it was one he’ll feel he should have either held or pushed further away from danger.
Rangers had to go for it. Lots of balls into the penalty area, lots of Hamish Watson with his arms out trying to bring the ball down under control with a man on his back. Also lots of Birkenhead rushing up the other end with space such as when Burfoot almost scored only for Achary to make a fantastic diving save to spare his top corner a rustling. Then Curtis Hughes put a perfectly placed low cross in for Dane Schnell in the second added-on minute and that was the clincher.
4-2 to Birkenhead United who made it two wins from two. Dane Schnell with a double playing further forward as a second striker. Luke Jorgensen gave them some extra punch in midfield and also scored the third go-ahead goal. Cam MacKenzie was good on the right side. And gotta give plaudits to Dino Botica for muscling up with Hamish Watson. You win some, you lose some in a duel like that but Botica lost fewer than most. This is a pretty entertaining Birko team that will ship a few but they’ll also score plenty more. Aaaaaand they play Auckland City next week.
With Miramar... you can see the difference with a couple of the Women’s NL teams (Central and Capital) who are more focussed on youth development than being as competitive as possible and maybe there’s a bit of that here. It’s been forced upon them by player movement however expectations have to be adjusted when youngsters are out there in the clutch. Still, any team with Hamish Watson in their line-up is going to be a handful. Watto’s up and running on the goal-scoring chart now and there oughta be more where that came from. Rogerson and Mason-Smith were decent too. They may have lost again but this wasn’t a thrashing like against Cashy Tech. This game was 2-2 with ten to play. Rangers were right there.
Auckland City vs Cashmere Technical
Funny story... these two teams both won the Chatham Cup in 2022. Cashy Tech’s win was for the 2021 season but the final was played at the start of the year. Auckland City won it at the end of the winter term. That’s a factoid that you’ll never ever see repeated.
Auckland City gave Adam Bell the start at right back, the obligatory young fella. Sam Brotherton came back in at CB after a rest last week to restore that intimidating Adam Mitchell/Sam Brotherton partnership. Also Emiliano Tade got his first start, while the rest were the same fellas that ground out that gutsy win over Wellington Olympic. Cashmere Tech absolutely battered Miramar Rangers 4-0 last week so they didn’t change a goddamn thing. Nor should they have (considering Dan Schwarz was still out).
As expected, Auckland City made themselves at home at Kiwitea Street by setting up camp with possession as the Techies sat deep in a flat 4-4-2 defensive formation. Tade collected a ball over the top but his volley was deflected over. Brotherton headed over from a back stick header. Some frisky stuff but also there were signs of a Cashmere Tech high press in the other half, to go with a physical approach, that kept things interesting.
Tade thudded another shot high after twenty minutes but to be honest the Canterbury team were holding firm. Even had Lyle Matthysen smack one over on the counter attack. Garbhan Coughlan tried on a chipped shot from 35 metres out but Conor Tracey stepped back and grasped it out of the air. A typically mean Luke Tongue free kick was well headed away by Mario Ilich. Coughlan kept Tracey busy with another effort that was tipped over with style by the in-form CT. Not saying that Ryan De Vries and Emiliano Tade weren’t also making things happen, the point is that this wasn’t one way traffic. Cashmere Technical had a plan and they were executing that plan, giving themselves a genuine chance.
A good save by Danny Knight off Tade took us into the break at 0-0. So far so good for Tech. They were swarming the ball in defence, not allowing City to pick those slick short passes into the penalty area. Tracey had to make another fine save off a Matthysen strike while Coughlan skipped between two defenders and fired off target. A bright start to the second half for Cashmere Technical... regrettably bright starts tend not to be enough against Auckland City when they can do things like this...
Two mins later Howieson fed RDV in the area, who laid off for Tade, who smoked it narrowly wide. Then a one-two between RDV and Tade drew Knight off his line but Tade poked the ball wide again... and hit the ground hard on his shoulder, requiring treatment and eventually causing him to be replaced. Regardless, City nearly scored a goal of the season contender as some incredible build-up led to Joe Lee shooting too close to Danny Knight. Then again Knight came up big as Howieson fed Lee through.
Coach Albert Riera will not have been too stoked with the lack of a second goal by that stage. Less so when a heavy Adam Mitchell touch drew Conor Tracey out under pressure leading to a penalty. Garbhan Coughlan is one of the best in the business from the spot and now he had the opportunity to level this game up. But he couldn’t do it. Conor Tracey with a mean save. Lyle Matthysen hit the post on the rebound but was yellow carded for encroachment (it was strange).
You just knew that was going to be fatal for Cashmere Tech. You just knew it. With ten minutes to go Adam Mitchell dominantly headed in from a Howieson corner to finally double the lead. There were a few hints of an impending third but it never happened. Auckland City have been seriously tested by both Wellington Olympic and Cashmere Technical yet have still come through with consecutive victories. It’s what they do. 2-0 the final score.
Are City a bit tired after all these games in all these competitions, causing some rare vulnerability? Or are Wellington Olympic and Cashmere Technical just really good teams who’ll beat most other clubs in this National League? More of the latter than the former, I reckon. Cam Howieson was stroking and caressing passes of profound quality throughout this match – there’s nothing else quite like it. Conor Tracey’s form is also through the roof. He did concede the penalty but it was worth it for the save and there were plenty more where that came from. Tade was very good until the shoulder knock. Ryan De Vries has scored in both games so far. Scary thing is that there’s heaps more to come from Auckland City.
Nothing much to say about Cashmere Technical. The plan was perfect, the first half proved they were more than capable of seeing it through. They just slipped up once or twice and that’s all it takes against this team. On another day this is a 1-1 draw. On this day it was a 2-0 loss. But they’ll be fine.
Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland United
Curtain raiser football, gotta love it. The WeeNix fellas getting to showcase their abilities to the A-League blokes as they wander around before warm-ups for their own game. Not to mention the hearty comrades in the crowd who turned up early enough to watch both. Even just playing at Sky Stadium is a big deal for the youngsters who, if things go right, could themselves be turning out for the senior team some day soon-ish. A few of them already have.
Some of the Phoenix Reserves who were in that NZ U19s squad were rested last week but everybody was good to go for this one... although Ben Old and Alex Paulsen were a little too busy to feature again. Adam Supyk (left back) and Fin Conchie (centre mid) were the two fresh U19s to return. Alby Kelly-Heald also came in at goalie while his brother Lukas moved to CB to accommodate Supyk. Plus Charlie Beale moved to the right wing so that Conchie could play alongside Dan McKay.
Auckland United lost Matt Conroy to injury in week one so Will Stephen took his spot, same as he did off the bench previously. Nic Zambrano was meant to start up front after setting up that late winner against Melville but he tweaked something in warm-ups hence Josh Redfearn got his spot back – though Zambrano was still okay for the substitutes list. Otherwise it was all the same as last time. Nothing to worry about. Special game for Kurtis Mogg at CB for AUFC given that he used to captain the WeeNix.
There were limited early sighters from the Phoenix that suggested they were up to some rascality. Josh Tollervey with a soft header on target. Then another drifting into the box for a Supyk ball but again no dramas for Mack Waite in making the save. Last week United’s fizz had stemmed from their attacking midfielders but Oli Fay and Will Mendoza weren’t finding much space in which to operate due to Dan McKay dropping into a CDM spot and patrolling those areas. Riley Bidois forced a save with a snapshot after some patient build-up, stinging the palms of Mr Waite. The WeeNix were churning. Some excellent footballing activities on display.
Leading to the opening goal after 20 minutes. Fin Conchie threaded a ball through the lines for Charlie Beale who turned on it and, given space outside the area, went boom into the bottom corner with a wonderful finish. And they kept working it, Noah Karunaratne cutting in and feeding Bidois who drew a save out of Waite. Ross Haviland went into the book for taking down Karunaratne as the pressure maintained. Then it was 2-0. A stunner of a ball stabbed over from Dan McKay and Riley Bidois took it down smoothly with a cushioned header on the run before drilling it in for 2-0 after thirty minutes.
It was a brilliant first half hour from the WeeNix who were moving the ball confidently and creating chances. Although United did take notice because Stephen had a killer chance straight after that he couldn’t connect with then a slippery pass out from Alby Kelly-Heald found Oli Fay only for AKH to then make a magical save as amends. Nevertheless, on 34’ we saw Redfearn combine with Regont Murati and the latter smashed in at the near post for 2-1. AKH misjudged the line of it but still a thumping strike.
The WeeNix were never again as good as they were in that 10-30 minute spell. Their high energy approach combined with relative inexperience does kinda make them a first half team. Suddenly Oli Fay was getting plenty more touches and a shot or two to boot. Though the Nix did also go close as Matt Sheridan’s cross wasn’t quite gathered by either Karunaratne or Bidois, then Bidois dragged another wide a bit later. Fascinating areas.
With half an hour still on the clock, Jose Figueira made some subs with Nic Zambrano and Hiroyoshi Kamata both entering the fray. There were crosses swirling around in the Wellington wind from both teams. McKay drilled a perfect ball across to Bidois who chested it down but shinned his volley. Then Zambrano stole the ball off McKay and set up Hiro Kamata for the equaliser on 67’. It was coming, to be fair. Second week in a row that Zambrano’s set up a goal as a sub.
Except that Ross Haviland took out Karunaratne again five minutes later and damn bro that was a red card. Another twist in the tale. Only problem was that the Nix were rather exhausted by now and sparking a winner proved a sprint too far even against ten men. Granted Karunaratne and Bidois did combine for one great chance only Kurtis Mogg launched in with a super block. Lock it in as a 2-2 draw.
Auckland United probably would’ve gone on to win if it weren’t for the red card. Ah well. They got gold out of Zambrano and Kamata from the bench. Harshae Raniga had a lovely game for them at fullback, as did Murati on the other side come to mention it. This game ended a run of consecutive clean sheets for them and they’ll have to do without Ross Haviland next week but it’s clear that this is one of the top defensive teams in the nation, with that strong back four aided by Michael Den Heijer’s fine CDM work. Took plenty of character to hit back from 2-0 down and get a point.
Dan McKay was the best on the park for the Welly Nix, what a performance from that bloke in midfield. The ground he covered and some of the passes he made. Fin Conchie was class alongside. Beale too. Those guys all got a lot of minutes for that Aotearoa U19s team. As did Noah Karunaratne and Adam Supyk who also impressed here as well. Hopefully Ufuk Talay was playing close attention.
Melville United vs Wellington Olympic
Beauty of a day in the mighty Waikato as Melville United hosted Wellington Olympic at Gower Park. The home side shrugging off their last-ditch defeat last time with two changes to their eleven: Josh Galletly and Liam Hayes added to the midfield, with Aaron Scott returning to his normal spot in the back three. Nothing shocking about any of that. Wellington Olympic also made two changes. Justin Gulley was available after suspension so of course he started. NZ U19s midfielder Theo Ettema also got promoted to the walk-on team. Tam Dimairo moved to wing-back after filling in for Gulley in the back three against Auckland City. All pretty much as expected for both teams so let’s rip into it.
Big energy from the home lads, pressing high and making it difficult for Olympic to advance the ball. Squeezing them from the wing-back spots and getting lots of running from their forwards. Jerson Lagos even had the first shot of the game although Scott Basalaj dealt with it easily enough. But the Greeks discovered their outlets after about ten mins and a couple Jack-Henry Sinclair crosses caused some trouble. The first from open play flashing across goal with nobody on the end of it. The second from a free kick which ended up at Ettema’s feet but he snatched at it.
The danger of those Olympic forwards was becoming evident and it’s hard enough to deal with those blokes at the best of times, let alone when you give them a helping hand as happened on 18’ as an attempted clearance from Luke Searle hit Sinclair and bounced back to Randall. Jesse Randall wasn’t able to get a shot away himself despite some shimmies and shakes but he could flip it across to Kailan Gould on the run... who demolished that little sucker into the top corner with vapour trails fizzing off it.
Can’t sleep on that first touch either, both taking it past his marker and also setting up the strike. That’s how it’s done.
Pretty clear that Wellington Olympic were in a mood at Gower Park. Gianni Bouzoukis whacked one past the far post. Randall had a shot or two. Albeit Lagos did swing one a mean looking cross that Oli Collotty headed wide – could very easily have been an equaliser there. Colloty might well feel it should have been. Melville copped another blow as Quinton Kipara picked up a knock and wasn’t able to run it off. On came Ryen Lawrence in his place.
That coincided with a useful spell for the home side involving a few long shot attempts. Can’t keep Olympic boxed up forever though and in the 37th minute Kailan Gould played a gorgeous ball through for JH Sinclair who had his shoulder tugged at by Campbell Brown for a sure-thing penalty kick... until the assistant had a word and the decision was flipped. Couldn’t say why. It was a drop ball so not like he was belatedly given offside. Not much fun for Welly O who of course had that banger of a goal disallowed last week against ACFC (check the week one review for the vid). Some sort of sacrificial offering may be in order to restore Olympic’s luck. Gotta build a new temple for Zeus. Keep the gods happy.
Gulley struck a beautiful pass through the channel on the right, one of a number of dudes to pick out stunners in that area with the common denominator being Jack-Henry Sinclair running onto all of them. This time Sinc’s shot was saved by the reaching hand of Max Tommy. So it was that it was only 1-0 at the break. Melville very much still in this contest, particularly if they could sneak one of their half chances into that net.
We now interrupt scheduled programming to bring you Aaron Scott’s left shoulder...
It was Wellington Olympic who struck next, no surprises there. Quick start to the second stanza, applying the pressure, and after five minutes Justin Gulley spotted a line to Jack-Henry Sinclair in the area after a corner had been cleared his way. JHS took a touch to settle and then lashed the ball inside the far post where no keeper on the planet was getting close to it. Then he did a backflip.
Jesse Randall’s cross received some defensive interference which stopped it from reaching Gianni Bouzoukis for a tap-in on 57’. But pretty much straight afterwards the pair got into very similar areas again and Randall chose to shoot, rattling the crossbar, with Bouzoukis pouncing on the rebound to add another goal. Kailan Gould forced Max Tommy into a save at full-stretch before much longer. This was getting emphatic... although Galletly did make Basalaj stretch out for one as well. Plus Campbell Brown looked like he was about to do the same when he came through a Gulley challenge to pretty much be through on goal... except he tripped over the ball. Doubtful it was a coincidence that Luke Searle was booked for a cathartically hard tackle right after.
Tommy did well to deny sub Connor Gaul by rushing out and getting a hand to the ball as Gaul tried to go around him (after a prime ball from Gould). Plenty of other Olympic passes aiming for runners into the area that got cut out. Couldn’t quite get the last one to stick or else they’d have really run away with it. But eventually Gianni Bouzoukis did score a second as JH Sinclair dashed free down the right and picked him out with a mint square ball. That one stuck. That one meant 4-0 and the final whistle followed soon after.
A double for Bouzoukis takes him to 3 goals from 2 games to lead the Golden Boot standings. This was a statement win from his team who gave Auckland City a proper scare a week ago and now really hammered home their contender status with a big win in the Waikato. Jack-Henry Sinclair was remarkable, the speed and the movement and the creativity and even just some of the little touches he made. A goal and two assists to his name. Kailan Gould was excellent. You’d have to be Manuel Akanji to keep count of how many times he burst past a defender – plus there was the finish for the opening goal. Jesse Randall pocketed a pair of assists. The back three was a brick wall, Gulley especially. Just a top tier performance from Wellington Olympic.
Can’t say the same for Melville who have now lost two in a row without scoring a goal. But most teams can’t do what Olympic do with those rapid transitional attacks. Melville’s defence is pretty sturdy. Josh Galletly had an enticing game in the midfield. Gotta figure out a few more ways to get their strikers involved although that’s easier said than done. Melville have got the WeeNix next week and you can bet your bottom dollar the plan will be to assert themselves physically.
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