Another close loss

After last weekends rest to allow for the Chatham Cup to continue Wainuiomata were back in league action today against Marist at Kilbirnie Park.  With a bitterly cold southerly wind blowing across the field both sides were looking to put some distance between themselves and the teams in the relegation zone.  Neil Barclay was back from injury allowing Mr versatile Shon McKechnie to resume his duties on the right wing for todays encounter.  I positioned myself on the terraces (it was like standing on The Kop) just as the game kicked off.

Shon causes problems for Marists' defence

Marist, however, took an early lead playing into the wind when a dngerous free kick floated into the Wainui area and into the back of the net off a Marist players head.  Wainui though had Marist under pressure for large periods of the half and thought they had won a penalty for handball after thirty minutes of play.  In the ensuing confusion around the decision the referee consulted his linesman who ruled there was no handball.  Shon McKechnie came close to levelling the game as half time approached but found the side netting after a clever run into the Marist area.

Wainuis bench watches intently

Wainui started brightly in the second half as the wind began to die away but Marist doubled their lead with a breakaway goal.  As with the first half Wainui dominated again but couldn't find a way past the resolute home defence.  However, as the game entered the final ten minutes Wainui were awarded a penalty for a trip in the box.  Shon McKechnie slotted the resulting penalty to give Wainui a glimmer of hope.  Andrew Oliver was sent off moments after the restart and even though Wainui were down to ten men they still created chances to level the game as Marist sought to run the clock down by running the ball into the corner.

The all elusive second goal never arrived as Marist ran out 2-1 winners to move above Wainui in the league standings, although they aren't too far ahead.  Hopefully the boys can regroup themselves for next weeks ginormous encounter  against high flying Island Bay.