Josh McMenamin scored four goals for Magpies. PHOTOS/FILE
FOOTBALL
Douglas Villa Magpies 6
Waikanae 1
A Josh McMenamin masterclass propelled Douglas Villa Magpies to a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Waikanae at Park Sports Ground on Saturday and secured their place in Capital division two for 2023.
The talented striker found the back of the net four times in a 17-minute spell on either side of halftime in what Magpies manager Nathan Cottle described as a brilliant performance.
“The way he finishes when he’s in form, it’s just outstanding. But it wasn’t just ‘Minny’ — some of the set-up play was fantastic as well,” Cottle said.
The game wasn’t all plain sailing for Magpies, though.
Waikanae took the lead through a Chris Cox own goal after 13 minutes and had chances to go further ahead only to be denied by excellent saves by goalkeeper Cory Burling.
“Things clicked into gear once the boys settled, and we had a good talk at halftime that it’s the biggest 45 minutes of the season. They switched it on, and Waikanae didn’t have a chance.”
Midfielder Kurtis Paine stood out with an industrious start to the game when the home side were under the pump and was rewarded with a late goal.
The result lifted Magpies to fifth in the league, the position that will be confirmed with victory over Stokes Valley at home in their final game this Saturday.
That seemed an unlikely scenario six weeks ago when Magpies were bottom of the table and staring at relegation after a 9-0 thumping at the hands of champions Petone Reserves.
“If we can take fifth that will be exceptional. We’ve had some ups and downs, and the way the players have shown the character to stick with it has been fantastic,” Cottle said.
Greytown 7
Victoria University Raiders 0
Greytown Fresh Choice turned on the style to demolish Victoria University Raiders 7-0 at Soldiers Memorial Park on Saturday.
Jarrod MacDonald took his season tally to 19 goals with a hat-trick. William Newton got a brace, and with Ryan Butler and Kasper Szikszai each scoring, Greytown stayed unbeaten after eight games. The loss condemned Victoria to relegation to the Wellington leagues.
Coach Gary Hewson felt it was Greytown’s most complete performance of the year.
Hewson said with second spot guaranteed, the team wanted to see if they could put together an entire 90 minutes and finish the season really well.
“We’ve been good going forward all season, and what was really good on Saturday was that our defensive all-round work was fantastic. And for the 90 minutes, we didn’t take the foot off the pedal.”
Greytown wrap up their season this Saturday with a mouth-watering match at home to champions Wellington United.
Island Bay United 2
Masterton Athletic 1
A last-minute goal denied Progressive Engineering Masterton Athletic a valuable point in their Capital division four clash with Island Bay United JJs at Wakefield Park on Saturday.
Chances went begging for both teams in a closely fought first-half played in very windy conditions.
The home side went in front immediately after the resumption of play, only for Landon Palmer to equalise with a long floating cross in the 58th minute.
Both teams continued to attack, but it was Island Bay who took all three points with their 90th minute winner.
Athletic player-coach Glen Fraser said his players were deflated after the loss, and he said they played the better football and deserved to come away with something from the game.
Athletic remain in fifth place in the league, with one game to play at home to Island Bay this Saturday.
Wairarapa United 0
Petone 0
Tumu Wairarapa United’s chances of winning the Wellington women’s division one title are all but gone after a scoreless draw with leaders Petone on Sunday.
Coach Radha McGlashan said United had enough possession to win the game at Trust House Memorial Park but couldn’t break the visitors’ defence.
“We had quite a few chances, but they had a really good goalkeeper, and unlike a lot of goalies in this league, she was really dominant,” McGlashan said.
“Out of the whole game they had about three shots, all from freekicks, while we had a lot of chances.”
Despite having to settle for a draw, McGlashan said it was probably the best game she had seen her inexperienced team play.
With two rounds to play, the best United can hope for is second. They play Victoria University on Sunday, and then a catch-up game against Lower Hutt City.
