Kenneth Sprowson [stripes] was one of two Magpies players sent off in the loss to Tawa. PHOTOS/FILE
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Tawa 10
Douglas Villa Magpies 1
Douglas Villa Magpies were always rank outsiders in their first-round Chatham Cup fixture away to Tawa, but the sending off of two players made their task impossible.
Magpies held their own for the first quarter of the game, only to concede a penalty after 29 minutes, and from then, the home side took control, going into halftime with a 4-0 lead.
The Magpies lost their main attacking threat when former Vanuatu international Seule Soromon was sent off in the 55th minute for lashing out with his leg after a tackle.
However, they did get on the scoresheet with midfielder Tom Sexton finishing an impressive passing move that also featured Caleb Anstis and Eddie de Lara-Bell.
The sending off of centreback Kenneth Sprowson in the 80th minute left the defence scrambling, and Tawa capitalised to score three late goals.
The two red cards come after the three red cards Magpies picked up in their preliminary round Chatham Cup clash with Greytown, leaving Magpies’ coach Malcolm Cox frustrated at the lack of discipline shown by his players.
Cox, however, was quick to praise the performance of their Capital Premier Division opponents.
“I’m not taking anything away from them, just give them a big round of applause,” Cox said.
“They are three divisions higher, and Liam Kerr, an old Villa boy, is playing really well for them and is a lovely midfielder.
“They showed another level of toughness, and that is probably not what we are used to.”
Cox’s player of the day was Anstis, who he said had a thankless task and worked tirelessly in the midfield.
Next up for the Magpies is an away game against Waterside-Karori Magpies, who won Capital Division Four last season and beat Magpies in both their fixtures.
CAPITAL DIVISION FOUR
Greytown 4
Western Suburbs Red 3
Greytown Fresh Choice came from two goals down at halftime to record their first win of a difficult season, with a 4-3 victory over Western Suburbs Red in Capital Division Four at Soldiers Memorial Park.
The home side were behind after just five minutes but struck back quickly after a Western Suburbs defender deflected a Daniel Frischknecht cross into the net.
Two goals to the visitors had them take a 3-1 halftime lead.
A transformed Greytown side took the field for the second half, and within five minutes, centre back Bill Reynolds thundered a header into the bottom corner of the net from a corner, after earlier scoring an own goal.
Two goals from Frischknecht in a hectic 15-minute period gave the hosts the lead, and they never looked like relinquishing it with goalkeeper Rob Fawcett having little work to do in the second stanza.
There were some standout performances from Greytown, including Reynolds at the back, along with fullback Josh Kerr.
Adrian Jackman and Andy Traill took control of the middle of the park and Frischknecht’s industry and finishing were a highlight.
