Long weekend double header

It was the Queens Birthday weekend in New Zealand and it brought with it a double header of games for Wainui against Island Bay on Saturday and Marist FC on the Monday afternoon.  Two wins were what the team was targeting to get them back on track in the league but unfortunately Wainui had to settle for just a point from their game against Marist at Richard Prouse on the Monday.

 

The view versus Island Bay from the sidelines

The first game of the weekend saw Wainui make the short trip over the hill to play Island Bay at Petones home ground  Memorial Park.  After being well beaten in the previous game by Stop Out the boys put in a gutsy display against the league leaders with some solid defending limiting their goalscoring opportunities.  The game ebbed and flowed throughout the 90 minutes and it was settled by a well taken goal just after half time from Island Bay, one of the few chances they managed to create.  Wainui fought right up to the final whistle and again deserved a lot more from the game.

Wainui forced Island Bay to dig deep

So to Monday and back to Richard Prouse Park to face Marist, Wainui were again looking for the win and with the way they have played at home this season you felt that today could be the day they would grab that first elusive win in Wellingtons Premier Division.  Both sides went at it for the entire game again with chances falling to both teams.  A sickening head clash involving Josh Wilkie held up play in the first half for a while, there was a lot of blood from Josh and Marists' player and an ambulance was called, I hope both of them are OK. 

The second half was much the same as the first with chances again coming for both teams but both goalkeepers were up for the task today and yet again a player from each team saw a red card after a clash midway through the half.  A goalless draw was probably the fairest outcome for both teams given the pitch conditions but it was an enjoyable goalless draw all the same.

Rowen almost gave Wainui the lead late on against Marist

So another draw, and red card dished out, at home for Wainui and although a draw wasn't the best result the point was a welcome one.  Special mention was made of Paul Wood in the speeches after the game who came on as a replacement having just finished collecting the days rubbish and put in another solid display for the team, awesome stuff.  Again another good day at Richard Prouse Park and plenty of vocal support from the crowd, still a long way to go in the season yet.