BNU vs. Waterside Karori, Saturday 5th July 2014 3.30pm, Wakefield #2 We welcomed Waterside Karori to Wakefield Park as we looked to bounce back after last weeks disappointing result. With 8 players either unavailable or injured and several playing with niggles, this game certainly was going to test our depth and resilience. The lads however were in jovial form and that usually tells me they are ready to go out and play and get stuck into the game plan. We started the stronger of the two sides, shifting the ball at speed, getting our fullbacks forward, while maintaining our discipline of shape. While we were dominating possession we were not executing the final ball and had struggled to create any chances of note. Against the run of play, Karori took the lead in the 18th minute. We were guilty of not shutting down the player quick enough, allowing him to bring the ball down off his chest and drive a well placed shot past Adam Glover from the top of the box. 1-nil Karori. The word of the week was composure and we needed to exhibit composure in this situation. We were playing reasonably well and there was no need to panic. If we stuck to the plan, the goal would come. The goal did come in the 35th minute, from a move directly off the training pitch. As the ball was played into the feet of Paul Clune, Ali Luke made a wonderful overlapping run to meet Clunes cute back heel as he sped to the byline. Luke produced a fantastic ball to meet the well timed run of Ben Purser. Purser smashed the ball home unopposed from 8 yards out. 1-1. As we approached half time I couldnt help but be pleased with how the lads were playing. The back fours discipline of shape was the best it has been all season. Andy McBride was instigating a lot of our good play from central midfield. Elliot Riley was showing fantastic discipline keeping their main play-maker quiet, while the front fours movement was causing Karori plenty of headaches. Aaron Langlands in particular was working tirelessly on and off the ball. The message at the break demanded more of the same. In addition we needed to show greater desire in the tackle, winning every 1st and 2nd ball. We didnt want to allow Karori any time on the ball. We also talked about this being quite a significant point in our season. Were we good enough to dig deep and grind out a result, despite the lengthy injury list? The answer could shape the remaining games of this season. We started the 2nd half with even greater intensity than the 1st. We were executing our passing game at a higher level. Phil Elcome, leading by example, was driving the lads on. We took the lead in the 53rd minute as Ben Keat showed great strength holding off 2 defenders, poking the ball home from the edge of the 18 yard box. Keat, who was playing under an injury cloud, was picking and choosing his moments to exploit gaps created by the other front runners. It was such an opportunity that lead to this goal. 2-1 BNU. We continued to raise our game, trying to find some breathing space between us and the opposition. We introduced lightening quick Tom McCann replacing the strong and hardworking Langlands and the excellent Ben Purser was replaced by the fresh legs of Ben Goodwin. It was the industry and hardwork of McCann playing in midfield that led to our 3rd goal. McCann pressed high, turning the ball over, deep in Karoris defensive third. He then slid an inch perfect pass into the path of Clune who took his time, picked his spot and left the goalkeeper no chance. 3-1 BNU with 18 minutes to play. It wasnt all one way traffic, as Karori were creating opportunities of their own and if it were not for some smart decision making and fine saves from goalkeeper Glover, it may have been a different result. Glover was enjoying his finest game in a BNU shirt. With 11 minutes to play, we introduced Tim Smith, replacing the fantastic Clune. This is Tim Smiths first competitive appearance for the 1st team, as he made his long-awaited return from an injury sustained in pre-season. It is great to have a player of his class and ability returning at this stage of the season. In the 93rd minute Karori to their credit never gave in, and were rewarded for their effort, making us pay for a sloppy piece of play that not even Glover could save. 3-2 BNU final score. The full-time whistle was not greeted with wild celebrations. The lads remain focused as we immediately tune our minds to our next fixture against Wellington United. I couldnt fault any performance today. All players executing their roles and doing what was required. Special mention to the faultless performance of Ali Luke, the play-making abilities of Andy McBride and the movement and energy shown by Paul Clune and Ben Purser. For the 1st time in my coaching career, I chose 2 Man of the Matches. Adam Glover was almost faultless in goal, while centre-back Joe Cruden had a fantastic game at the heart of our defence. He won everything in the air and did all that was asked on both sides of the ball. Superb performance. The league simply couldnt be any tighter. With Kapiti beating Vic Uni 7-nil they usurp us at the top of the table on goal difference by a singular goal. Both teams locked on 33 points. With 7 games to go, there will be many more twists and turns, but today was a step we simply had to take. Job done. Many thanks to those that supported us at the weekend, especially the Masters lads for their vocal and parochial support. Next week sees us take on Wellington United at 2.30pm, Newtown Park. Hope to see you there. Cheers Dene
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 06:17:40 +0000
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