Comets lead women’s football
It was a full afternoon of football at the sun-soaked Arthur Fong Park this Sunday. Things kicked off at noon with the first of the women’s 9-a-side games between the Comets and Dragons. The Comets, who are the leaders in the main competition, were going to have to work hard to get a result as they started with 7 players and ended with only 5. It shows what a quality team they are as they still secured a 5-2 win over the well-playing Dragons.
The Comets’ passing was sharp and they didn’t waste their opportunities on goal with the half time score 3-0 in their favour. The Dragons pushed back hard in the second half, trading goals with the Comets but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Comets’ lead. Amelia Howe, the women’s current top goal scorer, was able to convert two shots for the Dragons and the Comets’ Jacinta Borer added a hat trick to her high scoring tally. Sarah Burdon and Nikita Stevenson each earned one of their own for the Comets. Player of the day went to Alyce Melrose for the Dragons and Georgia Goddard for the Comets.
In the women’s second game, The Goblins hosted Westland United Women. Winter holidays were obviously taking a toll on player availability as both teams were unable to field a full team – the Goblins had 6 players and United 7. United served up a commanding win at 9-0.
Goals for United came early and fast as they dominated the field with Celine Stokowski netting five, Niamh McGuigan two and Michelle Lambert one for an 8-0 half time score.
The team numbers flipped in the second half when the Goblins got an additional player and United lost a player to injury. The Goblins started getting good play through the midfield and pushing to goal, forcing United’s Lambert into action as keeper. The Goblin’s keeper, Kate McCann made some great saves through the second half but Jess Jackson, who usually plays centre fullback, took advantage of her chance up front and added a final goal for United. McGuigan, Lambert and Jackson each get their first goals of the season and Holly Guilder was named United’s player of the day. The Goblins’ Grace Cohn earned their player of the day for her hard work in defence.
Next week, the Dragons will play Westland United Women at the 12:00 game followed by the Comets vs Goblins at 1:15. Both games are at Arthur Fong.
The men’s games were at Arthur Fong as well with the 12:30 kick off between Paroa and Marist. Paroa won 2-0 leaving them undefeated in the men’s main competition. Matt Wakeford and Kieran Russel were the goal scorers for Paroa.
The following game saw Grey United host Westland United. Both teams were keen to find the form of previous seasons, but on the weekend’s performance both still lack the finishing quality needed to worry the teams at the top of the table. Westland had the run of early proceedings, however Grey United’s Lester Hayman capitalised on their first foray into Westland’s half, scoring off a fine header against the run of play. Westland’s sub Jeremy Green brought an injection of pace on the left hand side midway through the first half, helping the Westland mid-field dominate but they still couldn’t find the net. The half time score was 1-0 to Grey.
Callum Cadigan slotted the ball home for the visitors just after half time to finally reward Westland’s offence and bring the game level. Westland continued to press and dominate but struck the ’12th man’ goal surround on 6 occasions and missed other golden opportunities. A poor goal kick clearance direct to Grey player Daniel Horridge saw him take the gift and send it right back with a stunning shot to put Grey back ahead with only 10 minutes left. Westland continued to put their foot down but an incredible goal line defensive save by Ravin Brown kept Westland’s Peter Te Rakau from claiming half the spoils, and summed up a frustrating day for the visitors and a superb defensive effort by the home team. Players of the day were Ravin Brown for Grey and Sam Thomas for Westland.
Westport had the bye. Next week, Paroa host Westland United at Arthur Fong for a 2:00 kick off and Westport host Grey United at Coronation Park at 2:00. Marist have the bye.