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.