Olivers army were almost on their way

Andrew Oliver bagged himself a brace of goals but it wasn't enough to give Wainuiomata a first home win since returning to The Football Central Premier League as a determined Marist went home with a share of the points after a hard fought encounter this afternoon.

Andrew Oliver scored twice for Wainui

Andrew Oliver put Wainui ahead with a neat finish but were pegged back when Marist scored with a pearler of a free kick.  I missed most of the first half action, running a marathon and then driving back from Levin is rather time consuming.  Shortly after I arrived at Richard Prouse Park the half time whistle sounded and I then took up my position in amongst the raucos home support outside the clubrooms.

'Danger Here'

Wainui dominated the early exchanges of the second half and were duly rewarded with a fine strike from Andrew Oliver to restore the home sides lead to the delight of the crowd.  The lead however was short lived.  Within five minutes, having already survived a goalmouth scramble, Marist broke down field and beat the keeper to level the scores again.  Josh Wilkie did make a valiant effort to clear off the line and was very unfortunate not to have succeded.

Players tussle for possesion as both benches look on

Marist came more into the game and dominated for a period after equalising and should have taken the lead only for a superb finger tip save from Michael Howells to keep the scores level.  Callum Patterson made an appearance from the bench and caused some trouble for the away teams defence with some super crossed balls into the box causing all sorts of problems but again luck deserted Wainui just when it would seem that a goal was coming.

The day finished with the customary speeches in the clubrooms after the game finished and the officials were thanked for a great game of flowing football.  Next week is a trip to the artificial pitch at Wakefield Park for a game against Island Bay.

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!!