Upper Hutt made to work hard for all three points

Upper Hutt had a big away win on Saturday against Waterside Karori and the home crowd were expecting more of the same today against Wainui.  Having conceded 10 goals over both of last seasons encounters you could almost forgive the home support being so expectant.

Michael Barnes shepherds his man to safety

Upper Hutt were full of running and put together some great passing moves but the Wainui defence were up for the challenge today.  It took Upper Hutt all of thirty minutes to break the deadlock with a well worked move down their left wing.  Wainui hit back staright away with a goal from Josh Wilkie but it was ruled out for a push on the keeper.  With half time fast approaching and the game finely balanced Upper Hutt were awarded a penalty which was placed calmly past Michael Howells.

Upper Hutt clear their lines

Upper Hutt started strongly in the second half but after some good goalkeeping denied them a third Wainui slowly started to creep back into the game.  Cameron Blake playing up front, with his broken arm all wrapped up, showed some nice footwork to daze and confuse the home sides defence and create some chances but unfortunately the finish just wasn't there.  A late chance did arrive from a Mark Manzone cross which was just about cleared off the line.

There were a couple of injuries today but hopefully it won't impact too much on the team as they get ready for another outing this Saturday which will probably be at Richard Prouse Park, here's hoping that the good weather continues.

 

Miramar edge Wainui in season opener

Wellingtons Premier Football League kicked off this afternoon for Wainuiomata against Miramar Rangers at a sun drenched Richard Prouse Park.  There was an expectant crowd present and after Miramar failed to beat Wainui in both of last years encounters hopes seemed to be high around the ground.

Even after conceding an early goal to Miramar Wainui made it hard for them with a combination of some good defending and superb goalkeeping from summer signing Michael Howells.  Miramar to their credit dealt with attack after attack from Wainui to keep the scoreline 1-0 in their favour at halftime.

Michael Howells saves Miramars penalty

Miramar made a solid start to the second half and managed to earn themselves a penalty early on which was kept out with another fine stop from goalkeeper Howells.  However the elation was short lived as Miramar scored two quick goals on the counter attack soon after the miss to kill the game off as a contest.

The remaining minutes were played out with Miramar stifling Wainuis attack and even the late intorduction of coach Scott MacLeod Jr wasn't enough to spur on a Wainui revival.  As always the post match atmosphere and speeches in the clubrooms were a bit of craic.

Next up is the trip to Upper Hutt and a chance for goalkeeper Michael Howells to get one over his former club on Easter Monday.

Victory stolen at the death

Brandon keeps Wairarapa out

It was the big kick off this afternoon at Richard Prouse Park for the reserves in Division 4 with a game against Wairarapa United.  No sooner had I arrived Ali Gonzalez had the ball in the back of the net with a stunner of a free kick to give Wainui the lead.  This was followed soon after with a goal from Ryan Harvey with a controlled header to double the home teams lead.  Twenty minutes into the season and a 2-0 lead against Wairarapa, what a start.

There was a lot of work though for home town hero Ralph Chenry as he made save after save to keep the score at 2-0 heading in to the half time break.  Wairarapa came out to play in the second half and soon earned themselves a penalty which was duly dispatched to bring them back into the game.

Wainui dug in for the remainder and could have been awarded a penalty of their own but for a dubios refereeing decision.  Again though our local hero Ralphie produced more goalkeeping heroics to keep Wairarapa at bay as the game enetered in to stoppage time.

James puts the Wairarapa defence under pressure

Wainuis luck ran out for them in the final minute of stoppage time as Wairarapa broke down field and a cross made its' way into the box.  A goalmouth scramble ensued and eventually the ball was bundled home to level the game and break the home sides hearts.

Not quite the Good Friday we were hoping for but tomorrow sees The Premier League kick off with the visit of Miramar to the valley, so who knows what Easter Saturday has in store for us??

And so it begins....again

With The Hilton Petone Cup done and dusted it's now time for the green and black of Wainuiomata to turn their attention to this years league campaign.  Their were some encouraging performances in the pre season games with some very close losses.  However the new season is now upon us with the league draws made along with an intriguing Chatham Cup preliminary round fixture against Eastbourne to be played on ANZAC Day. 

It all kicks off this coming Friday with the reserves taking on Wairarapa United at Richard Prouse Park.  Then on Saturday in Welliongtons Football Premier League the boys begin their campaign with a fixture against Miramar.  It doesn't end there as there is another Premier League fixture away to last seasons runners up Upper Hutt City at Harcourt Park on Easter Monday.

So a busy weekend of football ahead, I just hope I will be able to sneak in a couple of training runs myself!!

Wainui give Petone a huge fright

Scott McLeod on the ball

After losing against Island Bay ended Wainuis chances of progressing from the group stage of the Hilton Petone Cup it was time to face off against Central League oppositon, local rivals and tournament hosts Petone. 

If Petone were expecting an easy time of it they certainly had another thing coming as Wainui came out firing with all guns blazing, even coach Scott McLeod jr togged out and picked himself to start the game and with a very busy Cam playing up front with a broken arm (big respect for that) showing us some Messi like touches Wainui found themselves two goals to the good after half an hour of play.

It wasn't until the second goal was scored that Petone suddenly sparked into life.  They pulled a goal back three minutes later from the penalty spot and were level right on the stroke of half time.  Local hero Ralphie made an appearnce for the second half and made some crucial saves to help keep the scores level.

Cam with his broken arm battles hard

With 20 minutes remaining Ralphie managed to keep out another Petone effort but the striker reacted quickest to the rebound and gave his team the lead for the first time in the game.  The game wound down with neither team creating much after although Wainui to their credit never gave up the chase.

The final game in the round robin next week sees Wainui come up against Stop Out, hopefully the boys can keep up the pace and tempo displayed against Petone and give Stop Out a run for their money.