Western Suburbs
Douglas Villa
Tumu Douglas Villa’s perfect start to Capital Division One ended abruptly on Sunday when the team was outclassed by a polished Western Suburbs in a top-of-the-table clash at the Ole Academy, Porirua.
Three goals in 16 minutes midway through the first spell wrested control of the game to the home side, and they added a fourth through a Max Mitchell own-goal after 59 minutes to seal a comprehensive win.
Douglas Villa coach Mark Taylor was philosophical after the game, admitting that, at times, you just have to accept being beaten by a better team.
“Western Suburbs are a very good team; they’re an academy side, so they train five or six times a week; they play inter-squad games with their Central League team, so they are well-drilled, quicker, technically better, and they just dominated possession pretty much for most of
the game,” Taylor said
“We set up to put pressure where we could but also to try and limit goal-scoring opportunities and with tactics to make things difficult for them. We were a little bit too passive and let them play too much, but this happens when we play teams at a higher level.
“We made them work for their goals, and I couldn’t fault the level of commitment and intensity of the players.”
Taylor singled out goalkeeper Jayden Watt for a busy and strong game, while Sam Jonas worked hard at right back, and Isaac Higgins up front was a constant threat to the West’s defence.
Douglas Villa face a quick turnaround and are away to Victoria University in a Chatham Cup preliminary round match on Anzac Day before hosting the students in a league match on Sunday.
Greytown
Stokes Valley
Veteran Andy Traill scored with his first touch and sealed a thrilling win for Greyfriars Motel Greytown over a physical Stokes Valley in a Capital Division Two match at Greytown on Saturday.
After a scoreless first half during which the visitors were denied on several occasions by goalkeeper Taylor Harvey and the crossbar, Greytown took control in the second spell and built a 2–0 lead through Brodie Palmer and captain Jarrod MacDonald with a brilliant free-kick after 69 minutes.
Stokes Valley weren’t to be denied, though, and looked to have saved a point with two late goals before Traill came on as a late substitute and ruined their trip over the hill with his header finding the back of the net.
Greytown coach Phil Keinzley was full of praise for his injury-hit team, with the loss of key defender Josh Thompson to a hamstring strain in the second half adding to an already lengthy casualty list.
Keinzley is still on the lookout for new players to strengthen the side for the campaign and is keen to chat with anyone interested in playing.
Greytown are back in action on Anzac Day at home to Naenae in the Chatham Cup and away at Lower Hutt City on Saturday.
