Kurtis Paine had a strong game in midfield for the Magpies against Victoria. PHOTO/FILE
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Douglas Villa Magpies 2
Victoria University Accies 1
An understrength Douglas Villa Magpies turned on their best performance of the season on Saturday to beat Victoria University Accies 2-1 and move into joint second in Capital division three.
Magpies were without strikers Josh McMenamin and former Vanuatu international Seule Soromon, and midfielder Conor Hoverd – all suspended after being sent off in their Chatham Cup match with Fresh Choice Greytown on April 26.
Their absence made little difference, though, as the Magpies dominated most of the match at Park Sports Ground.
Willy Syben gave the home side the lead after 10 minutes before Victoria equalised on the half-hour.
Midfielder Dylan Cottle secured the three points with the winner after 56 minutes.
Magpies coach Malcolm Cox was impressed with the effort of the below-strength team.
“We have a quality side, and they showed it on Saturday,” he said.
“There was a nice shape about us, and we had control of the game – apart from one slip-up when they scored.
“Other than that, they didn’t pressure us at all, really. University were a strong side and have had some good results over the past couple of weeks.
“We played a possession game which worked for us, and the boys played extremely well. It just goes to show that we’re not a team of two players [McMenamin and Soromon].”
While midfielder Tom Sexton was Cox’s man of the match, fellow midfielders Caleb Anstis and Kurtis Paine, and striker Oskar James also impressed the coach.
“Our defence looked strong as well, and it’s really good to see those qualities in the team.”
Next up the Magpies travel on Saturday to play Waterside-Karori Magpies, who were promoted from Capital Four along with Douglas Villa but have yet to win this season, having had two draws and two losses.
Cox said it should be an interesting battle, and he has some selection headaches.
“We’ve got players coming back, so that will add a little bit of spice to training and competition for places, which is always nice.
“We’re starting to show some shape from what we’ve been training, we’re playing some nice football, and got some combinations together. People have to take us seriously now.’
Greytown fight back too late
Greytown 1
Petone Stonecutters 2
In Capital division four, a late goal to Daniel Frischknecht wasn’t enough for an industrious Fresh Choice Greytown side as Petone Stonecutters held on to win 2-1 in a close match on the artificial turf at Petone’s Memorial Park.
Greytown started well, and when an Antony Oliver shot struck the wrong side of the post, the visitors felt like it might be their day – but another good performance was marred by poor finishing.
With the scores locked 0-0 at the break, Greytown held their own against a well-drilled Petone, who held the ball well and broke the deadlock shortly after halftime with Greytown goalkeeper Rob Fawcett left wrong-footed by the excellent finish.
Twenty minutes later, the home side’s centre forward rose above the Greytown defence to force his header home from a corner.
Shortly after, the game looked all but lost when Greytown player-coach Nikali Finlay received a second yellow card after questioning a referee’s decision.
The loss leaves Greytown ninth in the 10-team league on two points.
Greytown will be hoping to find the goals a little more in the coming weeks with Island Bay visiting Greytown’s Soldiers Memorial Park on Saturday.
