Taking on The 'Ancient Ones'

I made my last trip of the season to watch Wainuiomatas reserve team play their final game of the season at a sun kissed Richard Prouse Park.  It was a local derby of sorts with the Lower Hutt Ancient Ones coming from over the hill with some former players in their midst, most notably Jeff McKenzie and Trevor Evans.

'Oi ref, you can't do that'

Their was the odd bit of banter going on between the two teams during the match but the game itself suddenly sprang to life when the Ancient Ones were awarded a penalty.  Our local hero Ralphie was making an appearance in goal made a superb diving save to keep the scores level then instigated a quick break out from defence.  Wainui broke down field at pace and all of a sudden the ball was in the back of the net, 1-0 to Wainui and cue scenes of celebration on the sidelines.

Wainui failed to add to the scoring and eventually Lower Hutt wore down a resolute home team defence to level the game and take away a share of the spoils.  And with that draw the season for the reserves is over and they just missed out on promotion finishing in fourth place, a great effort for the boys but their is always next year!!

Safe for another year

Wellingtons Football Central Premier League season is over and the boys from Wainui have avoided relegation after results in Division 1 went their way last Saturday, great news and something that has been well deserved for the boys after showing such commitment all season long.  Wainui almost caused a huge upset as they pushed a classy Wellington United team all the way in an enthralling final game of the season at Richard Prouse Park.

Rowen beats his man

Having already beaten Wainui 8-1 earlier in the season Wellington were looking for another big winning margin to improve their chances of snatching the league title away from Upper Hutt.  Wainui started brightly putting Wellington under some early pressure and forced the visitors keeper to make a great save to keep the scores level.  Wainui conceded a goal soon after however after Wellington caught them with a breakaway goal kind of against the run of play.  They threatened to rack up a big score again but two wonderful point blank saves from Simon Rippon kept Wainui in the contest.

Just before half time Steven Quirke brought the home crowd to their feet as he rose highest at the back post to level the game with a fine headed goal.  Coming out after the break Wainui were palying some great football and the band of travelling supporters were by now beginning to get a bit frustrated at their teams lack of goals.  Wellington to their credit turned on the style and produced a goal midway through the second half which brought Wainui to life again.  Callum Patterson was inches away with a curling effort which floated just passed the post but it was substitute Andrew Oliver who raced onto a through ball and sent the ball into the back of the net with a neat finish which drew a huge roar from the crowd gathered outside the clubrooms and sparked some wild celebrations. 



Josh putting the pressure on

 Wellington showed their true class again after concedeing another equaliser and calmly broke forward minutes later to put themselves into the lead for a third time with the clock ticking down towards full time.  Their was time for a bit of rough stuff and a red card for young Joel Evans before the final act of the game though.  Wainui sent in a free kick and with goalkeeper Simon Rippon up front to try and salvage a draw the ball broke amid the panic at the back for Wellington and appeared to strike a defender on the arm, surely a penalty but the referee waved play on and full time was called moments later.

And so another season in Wellingtons Premier League has been secured who knows what next year will bring.  Their are still some games left to play with The Undertakers still racing to avoid relegation and the womens first team playing for their end of season cup competiton.