FOOTBALL
A real turnaround in performance from the previous week was the main takeaway for coach Phil Keinzley after Greyfriars Motel Greytown 1–1 draw with Stop Out Reserves in their Capital Division Two clash played in wet and windy conditions at Hutt Park, reports Ian McDonald.
The young Stop Out side took early control of possession in the game, but it was Greytown’s skipper Jarrod MacDonald who made the first impact with his 12th-minute goal after a mazy run through a number of defenders before slotting it into the net.
The visitors then got into the game a lot more with possession evening out, and they held the narrow lead into halftime and after taking control of the game, forcing the Stop Out keeper into a number of saves. However, a shot out of nowhere against the run of play saw Stop Out back on level terms, with the score staying that way until the end, thanks to some big saves from Greytown keeper Taylor Harvey.
Midfielders Andres Gomez and Gareth Gwyther, who ended the game at fullback after yet another defensive injury, did an impressive job in both defence and attack, while MacDonald and the Palmer brothers Brodie and Landon were also dangerous with the ball at their feet.
Coach Keinzley made special mention of young debutant Sam Leask, a replacement for industrious forward Rhys Gwyther, who ran himself to a standstill, while at the back, veteran defender Josh Thompson kept the Stop Out youngsters at bay despite spending most of the week laid low with the flu.
Greytown has a week off over the long weekend as the Chatham Cup takes centre stage, and the team is back in action on June 8 with an away trip to the capital to play Waterside-Karori.
Tumu Douglas Villa’s Capital Division One fixture with Wainuiomata was postponed because of illness in the Wainui camp and will be played on Saturday.
