Well It's A Grand Old Team To See

Without the support of the fans both home and away it just wouldn't have been the experience it was for the last two seasons at Wainuiomata AFC.  Here are a few shots of some of the die hard fans who turn up home and away to cheer on the boys rain, hail or shine.

 Kevin Patterson, club legend

  Jimmy McKechnie catches the action

 Harry Janes watches on

 A grand day out

 Seeking shelter from the rain

 The crowd begins to gather

Ralph Chenerys biggest little fan

The boys shout their support

 Glenn 'Goober' Smith makes an appearance

The Boys from The Undertakers

Curt from Wainui Half Baked

Even seagulls flock to watch Wainui

The Travelling faithful away at Miramar

Rain, hail or shine

Watching the reserves before the boys play their own game

The Last Waltz

Wainuiomata kicked off their 2013 season with their opening fixture in The Hilton Petone Cup against tournament hosts Petone.  With this being the last time I get to watch Wainui play (insert sad face here) I was hoping for a barnstormer just like last years game against the same opposition.

With the departure in the off season of Scott McLeod Jr and Sr a new coaching team oversaw a valiant Wainuiomata team effort as they went toe to toe against  the Central League heavyweights.  Cam Blake was full of tricks as usual and Matt Faulkner was inches from latching on to a through ball from Neil Barclay as Wainui went looking for the early goal.  Petones David Lane was his usual calm self though and marshaled the Petone back four well enough to snuff out any danger from Wainuis forwards.

Ralph makes a superb penalty save

Local hero Ralph Chenery got a start in goal and mid way through the half was called in to action as Petone won a penalty for a trip inside the box.  Ralphie dived to his left to keep out a powerful strike to keep the scores locked at zero.  The half closed out with neither side able to break down the others tight defence.

The opening goal came in controversial fashion on the hour mark.  A sweeping Petone move saw the ball moved to Wainuis right were Liam Bell looked to clear the danger.  What looked very much like a push by a Petone attacker went unpunished by the referee and Ralphie was beaten to his left as Petone took the upper hand.

Cam Blake is beaten to the ball

The second came shortly after as petone caught Wainui on the counter attack and were awarded a second penalty, this time for handball.  Wainui legend Ralphie guessed the right way again but the penalty was clinically dispatched as Petone doubled their lead.  Wainui did have some late chances but some good goalkeeping from former player Simon Rippon ensured the score would remain 2-0 to the home team.

And so my weekend trips to watch Wainuiomata play come to an end.  I would like to wish the new coaches for the season the best of luck and hopefully promotion to The Central League isn't too far off.  Unfortunately that's all for now folks, it has been a lot of fun for sure!! 


  

2012 Player of the Year

 

Michael Howells makes another save

It's been a while since the league season ended for Wainu and last Saturday night the annual awards dinner was held at the clubrooms.

Goalkeeper Michael Howells came away with the Player of the Year award for a string of classy performances between the sticks for the team.

From the penalty save in the season opener to the superb one handed stop against Stop Out the award was thoroughly deserved.

With safety secured for another season it's time for the coaches and players to relax, unwind then come back ready for another shot at Premier League glory in 2013.



Local Legends appearance steals the show

The season came to an end last Saturday with the final game of the season against Wellington Olympic.  It was a fairly anti-climatic day as the game was shifted from the familiar surroundings of Richard Prouse Park #1 pitch to the depths of pitch #3.  There was a full team for Wainu to pick from this week which meant there was no need for Scott MacLeod Snr to offer his services to the team as a substitute for the second week running.

Both teams had goals ruled out for offside in the opening exchanges before Olympic took a somewhat deserved lead on the half hour mark.  Pitch #3 isn't renowned for being the greatest of pitches and it was somewhat of a battle for both teams to come to grips with the underfoot conditions.  Wainui did have a couple of half chances before the break but just couldn't find the killer touch that would have drawn the game level.

Joel Evans shields the ball

The home team began brightly in the second half and were awarded a penalty for handball in the box.  Up stepped Mr. Versatile Shon McKechnie to put another penalty away to add to his goal tally for the season.  Olympic stepped up another gear from the kick off and restored their lead five minutes later.  It was real end to end stuff after Olympics second and Matt Faulkner almost leveled again for Wainui but his effort was just off target.  Olympic then increased their lead when a dangerous ball was floated in to the back post and sent flying past Howells in goal to all but end the game as a contest.

An early goal mouth scramble

As the game entered its' final stages the biggest roar of the season went up as local legend and everybodys hero Ralph Chenery made a late appearance as a substitute.  His impact was immediate though as he delivered an inch perfect cross from the right to Joel Evans who controlled the ball, spun and powered the ball in to the bottom corner of the net.  The RCSC were in raptures at this point as the game was alive as a contest again and Wainui had a sniff of maybe a draw with five minutes remaining.

Ralph watches from the sidelines

Olympic hadn't read the script and scored two late goals in the remaining minutes to silence the home crowd.  They left the valley with a 5-2 victory, their first win over Wainui since returning to Wellingtons Premier League.  Safety was secured a while ago for the boys so the result today was for pride more than anything else.  A mid table finish definitely an improvement on last season.

Ralph then acted as compere for the speeches back in the clubrooms (is there anything he can't do?) where it was announced that Division 6 team The Undertakers had avoided relegation with a huge 5-0 win at Awakairangi Park.  And with that the season is over, well all over bar the shouting.  Next up is the annual end of season prize giving where player of the year is awarded.  Neil Barclay was last years recipient, who will it be this year??

Half Baked Heroes

Curts Half Baked team were short a couple of players so I dusted off the old boots and headed out to Mirimar Park to lend a hand.  It was the final game of the season for Curts team and with only pride left to play for could the Half Baked boys match the speed and power of Miramar?? 

Half Baked were an equal match for the home side and proved that with two goals of pure quality from open play.  The first fell to Craig Auty who first controlled the ball, then unleasehed a 40 yard scorcher past the statue like keeper.  Not to be outdone, team captain Richard Armstrong hit a venomnous drive from all of 25 yards that nestled in the bottom corner of the net (not sure if it took a bit of an extra touch from Marshy to help it over the line though).

The two goals, however, were bookends from six of the best from a Miramar team who were only too happy to play a slick passing game all day.  There could have been more goals for Miramar save for some good goalkeeping from Curt and some woeful finishing from their forwards.

The muddy conditions were too much for me and I was glad for my 40 minute cameo.  Incidently Half Baked scored both goals with me off the pitch.  That is probably why the boots have been buried deep under the vegetable patch!!

Venimus Vidimus Vicimus (We Came, We Saw, We Conquered)

The boys in Wellingtons Premier League had a day to forget by the looks of it, a 7-0 thrashing by Wellington.  That result can be put behind the team though with the final game of the season this Saturday at Richard Prouse Park against Wellington Olympic.

It was, however, much better news for the club as the reserves clinched a thouroughly deserved Division 4 title last Saturday.  Just thought I would post up a few pictures from the game.  I'm sure the celebrations are ongoing as I write!!!

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.

Ten Star Performance

The reserves set Richard Park Prouse alight last weekend with a 'ten' star performance against Tawa Devilz to leave them on the brink of promotion.  Having arrived at half time for the game I wasn't expecting a scoreline of 7-0, with Callum Patterson grabbing four of the goals and local hero Ralph Chenery seeing very little action as the score suggested.

Craig Preston in full flight with the ball

The second half became a cagey affair as Tawa looked to keep the score down and Wainui pushed forward looking to bag more goals and try to improve their goal difference.  Callum Patterson was on hand to put two more goals past Tawas keeper to bring his tally of goals to six for the game. Brandon Dickson kept the best for last though with a superb solo effort.  Still full of running and with time almost up Brandon beat four players with ease and, faced with a tight angle inside the eighteen yard area, rifled a shot passed the goalkeepers near post.  A tremendous goal to end the game for sure.

Wainui clear their lines

Other results later in the day have now left Wainuiomata Reserves masters of their own destiny as they look to end an eight year absence from Capital Soccers Division 3.  And so it's on to Awakairangi Park and a meeting against Upper Hutt who managed to hold Wainui to a 3-3 draw in their previous encounter.  Although with Callum in fine scoring form who knows what could happen?? 






*Just to put Callums scoring feat at the weekend into perspective here, I finished top scorer for the reserves a few years back with 3 (yes 3) goals.  Six goals in one game is some achievement!! *

Derby Day High

Stop Out were the opposition for Wainui today as they made the short journey over the hill and into the valley. Since returning to Wellingtons Premier League Wainuiomata have failed to beat their local rivals, gaining only a solitary point at the back end of last season. Was today to be any different, or did Wainuiomata have a surprise in store for the Stop Out boys??

Stop Out dominated the early exchanges and almost took the lead after five minutes. Michael Howells showed his class though as he tipped the powerful strike onto the crossbar and out for a corner. Having weathered the early storm Wainui then took the initiative when a free kick from within their own half entered the Stop Out box. The visitors defence failed to clear and in a crowded penalty area Josh Wilkie and Matt Faulkner combined to give the home side the lead (clarification is needed for the goal as it really was a crowded penalty area).

It was a real midfield battle today

It was more of the same at the start of the second half as the visitors again dominated the opening moments and had two narrow misses as they chased for the equaliser.  However, Wainui crept back into the game as they went looking for the all important second. It almost arrived when first Cameron Blake then his brother Jordan had great chances saved by Stop Outs keeper. You felt, however, that the second was always on its' way.

Cam Blake celebrates Wainuis second goal

The goal was delivered in some style with the game in the final ten minutes. Jordan Blake released his brother Cam who beat his man, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home from an acute angle. Cue the celebrations from the home fans outside the clubrooms, the roars I'm sure were heard all around Wainuiomata!! The gloss was put on the performance in the final moments of the match when player – coach Scott MacLeod Jr, on as a late replacement, scored from close range to more screams of delight from the home faithful.

The final whistle was greeted with probably the loudest cheer of the season as Wainui earned their first win over Stop Out since returning to the Premier League. Back in the clubrooms there was a great atmosphere with AJ from Half Baked telling us about the greatest goal ever scored in the valley in their 5-1 victory. And man of the match in the Premier League game was awarded to Matt Faulkner for a sterling performance up front after impressing with the reserves last week. What a day for Wainui though, certainly one to remember.

Promotion still within reserves grasp

The reserves still have promotion from Division 4 in their sights after Saturdays dramatic encounter against Kapiti Coast United.  For the second time this year at Richard Prouse Park I was on hand to witness the team concede a late late equaliser to the away team. 

Arriving with a half hour of play remaining the score was tight with Wainui leading 2-1.  They had led by two goals early in the second half.  The reserves were dominating KCU up front and were also defending well as the minutes ticked by.  Suddenly Wainui created a chance out of nothing, when a cross from the right floated in and over the goalkeeper only to rebound off the crossbar and away to safety. 

With time running out, local hero Ralph Chenery showed us all he still has some pace left in those legendary legs as he had to rush off his line and clear to safety.  With KCUs' striker bearing down on goal it was a timely intervention from Ralphie. 

It looked like as though danger had been averted but KCU had one last ace up their sleeve.  A long ball into the box found the head of an attacker whose well placed header beat Ralph with only seconds remaining and rescued a point against the run of play.

So unfortunately for the reserves it was another two points dropped, it seems maybe I could be a bad luck omen for the team (I really hope not).  However other results have gone their way to keep them within a stones throw of winning a coveted promotion spot.  Can Rob Bennet lift the team this weekend against Tawa Devilz and keep the push for promotion alive??  There's only one way to find out, get down to Richard Prouse Park at 12.30 this coming Saturday to cheer the boys on.

A Hard Days Work

After missing last weeks loss to Waterside Karori I was back in Wainuiomata for the much anticipated clash against Petone at Richard Prouse Park.  By all accounts it was as well I missed last weeks encounter as the rain poured down out in Karori.

Wainui started well and Josh Wilkie had their first and ultimately only chance of the first half as headed over from a Joel Evans corner kick.  Petone soon took a strangle hold on the game as their left winger, pictured above outfoxing Michael Barnes and Neil Barclay, made his way into the Wainui box and opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes.

Petone dominated for large periods of the game and Wainui just couldn't get going in the opening half as Petone looked for a killer second.  It almost came as the half time whistle approached when a powerful shot whized past an onlooking Michael Howells, rebounded off the post and, luckily, out for a corner off the unsuspecting Howells.

Wainui clear their lines again

Petone found the killer second soon after the restart when another long range effort found the back of the net, although there was still plenty of time for Wainui to mount a comeback.  The comeback almost began when Cameron Blake found himself in possesion of the ball on the Petone byline inside the penalty area.  With two players surrounding him he made the space for a shot by flicking the ball up and away from the defenders then tried to beat Simon Rippon, in goal for Petone this season, with a delicate chip.  The Gods were with Rippon and Petone as the effort sailed just inches wide.

The game was well and truly ended as a contest with another Petone ripper from outside the area to make it three nil.  Wainui pushed on and earned a late consolation goal when Joel Evans sent a free kick past the seven man wall into the back of the net to give the home fans someting to cheer about.  It also enabled them to give last seasons goalkeeper Simon Rippon a bit of ribbing!!

So a hard days work in the end for the boys, Joel Evans was awarded man of the match for Wainui in the after game speeches for a tireless display of football.  Next week sees local rivals Stop Out come over the hill for another dose of Premier League Football.

Band of Brothers #2

The Blakes, Cameron and Jordan, make up the second set of brothers that have been pulling on the Wainuiomata shirt alongside Neil and Ewan Barclay this season. Both are new additions to the team in Wellingtons Premier League this year and have become regular starters as the season has progressed.

The two lads have shown some great Messi like touches that have left opposition defenders flabergasted at times. Cameron, who started the season playing with a broken arm, scored what could be goal of the season with a thirty yard screamer against Wellington Olympic at Wakefield Park.

Cameron Blake shows his class

Not to be outdone Jordan went and scored his first goal of the season last Saturday as Wainui overcame a strong Island Bay team. His solid midfield performances and box to box work rate make him one to watch out for each week.

Jordan shows us his silky skills

The question you might ask is who is the best between the two?? Well again I shall sit on the fence and let the siblings sort that out between themselves, although maybe a penalty competiton could be the way to go!!

Another Game of Two Halves

It was the turn of Island Bay United to make the long trip from Wellington over the hill and into Wainuiomata today. After both sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw back inApril would we see more of the same today?? The odds however were stacked against Wainui having lost their last three games and Island Bay coming off the back of a 6-0 win against Karori.

An early chance for Island Bay

Island Bay came roaring out of the blocks and had some good chances in the opening quarter of an hour. Some wayward finishing helped keep Wainui in the game though. The muddy underfoot conditions were making life hard for the home team and Island Bay took full advantage when a sweeping move through midfield brought about the opening goal of the game. It was almost two a minute later as the ball rebounded off the post to keep the game alive. Wainui survived the rest of the half and made it to the interval within touching distance, a goal could change everything.

The home side came out after the break and stifled the aways team attack from the opening whistle. Liam Bell then sparked the game into life with his first goal of the season to level the game and send the home crowd into raptures. His celebration was a fancy one too as he slid on both knees in front of the home support pumping his fists in delight.

Jubilant players celebrate Joel Evans goal

Five minutes later and the game had been turned on its' head as Mr Versitle Shon McKechnie, playing left wing today, made inroads into Island Bays penalty area. He beat his marker neatly, pulled the ball back to Joel Evans who beat the keeper with ease to give Wainui the lead. It was soon three for the home team when Jordan Blake slammed home from close range as the support from the home crowd got louder and louder.

As the game entered it's final stages Michael Howells made a string of fine saves to deny the away team a way back into the game. There was little he could do about the close range header that gave Island Bay a glimmer of hope as the game went in to injury time. Wainui held on though to record their first victory over Island Bay since returning to Wellingtons Football Premier League.

Band of Brothers #1

This season there are two sets of brothers playing an integral part in the teams performances on the pitch week in and week out.  I myself had the pleasure of playing with yet another set, the Cutters, Karl and Dean when I last played for the team.  First up we give you The Barclay Brothers, Neil and Ewan.  The brothers are Wainuiomata born and bred with over 100 appearances for the club.

Ewan Barclay on the ball

I have had some trouble in the past trying to figure out which one was Neil and which one was Ewan as they are quite alike on the pitch.  Although Neil with his no nonsense defending at the heart of the back four (he was also last years player of the year) and Ewans barnstorming performances game after game in central midfield make it fairly easy for me these days.

Neil Barclay disrupts another attack

It's fair to say that the Brothers Barclay have been at the heart of Wainuis rise to Wellingtons Football Premier League having helped the team to the Division 1 title back in 2010.  Although I'm not here to say who is the best between the two of them, I think that's best left to sort out between themselves!!

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.