Goals galore to kick start season

Wainui lost out in todays pre season opener against Western Suburbs in The Hilton Petone Cup.  Our local hero Ralph Chenery was back in goal with Stephen Quirke, who announced his retirement at the end of last season, named as a substitute.

In a fairly even opening quarter Wainui took the lead when Callum Patterson found himself through on goal and beat the keeper with a composed finish.  The lead didn't last long as Wests hit back within ten minutes as a sharply delivered cross from the left eluded Wainuis defenders leaving Wests striker to finish with an easy header.

Then a cruel blow for Wainui came in first half stoppage time when a trip occured inside the penalty area leaving the ref with no option but to award a penalty kick.  The penalty was scored and the half time whistle swiftly followed.

The boys didn't drop their heads and came out fighting for the second half.  Fifteen minutes in and a swift counter attack led to a goal from midfield talisman Paul Wood who finished with a superb side foot volley to level the scores.  Both sides battled on and you sensed that the winner could come from either side, our local hero Ralphie keeping the scores level with two great saves but their was little he could do when Wests scored their third as the tricky winger drifted in from the wing and unleashed an unstoppable shot to the top corner of the net.

It's never easy to lose a game but Wainui fought hard and surely deserved something more out of the game than they got.  Next up is a game against Central League team Tawa, could a shock result be on the cards next Sunday at Memorial Park??