Cliffhanger Finale for Robs Reserves

It was hard to stay away from Awakairangi Park today where the reserves took on Upper Hutt for a chance to win the league and secure promotion to Division 3.   Having been held to a draw earlier in the season at a rain soaked Richard Prouse Park it was going to be a nail biter of an afternoon.  With a loss or a draw the team could be doomed to another season of Division 4 football.  Having worked so hard all year it certainly was not the place to be for the faint of heart.

It certainly wasn't the place to be for the faint of heart when Upper Hutt took an early lead with a penalty.  Wainui composed themselves to equalise soon after but nerves were high around the ground as other results were unkown to us.  Josh Wilkie, down from the first team, settled everbodys nerves with an explosive effort just outside the penalty area that, to borrow a phrase, bulged the 'auld onion bag.  Wainui now had the lead and their destiny was still in their own hands.  They made it to half time with the lead intact, they had to score the next goal.

Ryan makes a move as the ball is put through

Upper Hutt came out after the restart and showed some real urgency creating the first chance with a close range bullet header on that was on target.  Local hero Ralph Chenery showed us his agiltity as he tipped the ball expertly over the bar to the relief of the travelling support.  The home team then went close for a second time with another header as they searched for the leveller. 

Striker Ryan Harvey then struck a neat finish in a crowded box, after some tremendous lead up work from captain Brandon Dickson, to give Wainui a two goal buffer as the visiting bench erupted with joy.  Callum Patterson then scored his seventh goal in two games as he beat the keeper at his near post with a powerful strike.  Surely now the league title was on its' way over the hill and into the valley.

Upper Hutt get a dangerous ball into Wainuis area

Upper Hutt though refused to yield.  Ralphie had to act quick and keep out an amazing effort from the home teams striker who tried a lob from the kick off.  Moments later a dangerous ball into the box beat Wainuis defence and Upper Hutt took the chance to reduce the margin to two goals.  With twenty minutes to play could the impossible happen??  The game continued to ebb and flow but Wainui composed themselves and began to take control again.  Late chances fell to Callum Patterson and Brandon Dickson but they couldn't add to the score.

The final whistle was greeted with whoops and hollers as Rob Bennet ended up on the reciving end of a Gatorade shower of sorts (water bottles with the lids off were used in the place of actual Gatorade).   The win also gave Rob his second league title as coach of the team having won Division 5 back in 2008.  As I left Awakairangi the celebrations were in full swing in the dressing room with the club song blaring out the door, I'm sure you could have heard it all the way to Wainuiomata.