Wairarapa United’s Renske van Steensel lines up a shot at goal against Upper Hutt. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
Magpies struggle to find feet
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Wairarapa United 2
Upper Hutt City 0
Tumu ITM Wairarapa United were given a wake-up call by a game Upper Hutt City at Trust House Memorial Park on Sunday.
Coach Radha McGlashan said her team went into the Wellington women’s division one match as the red-hot favourites, and the prospects of another big score looked on the cards when Olivia Gluck scored a disputed goal in the first three minutes.
Upper Hutt’s defenders claimed the ball had not crossed the line, but referee Ross Fafeita was satisfied it had and awarded the goal.
United had the better possession and territory but couldn’t put the finishing touches to many of their attacking movements. They were eventually rewarded when Romy Ifill doubled the lead midway through the second stanza.
“We had quite a few chances, but we couldn’t get past their goalkeeper,” McGlashan said..
“The girls got a bit of shock, and it wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be. But we’ll take the win and the three points.”
United lead the league and have yet to concede a goal. Their next outing is away to Victoria University Units at Boyd Wilson Park on Sunday.
MAGPIES STAY WINLESS
Douglas Villa Magpies 1
Seatoun 2
Douglas Villa Magpies assistant coach Nathan Cottle said a first win in Capital division two is not far away despite a third defeat on Saturday.
Two goals in the 68th and 71st minutes sealed the three points for Seatoun at Park Sports Ground on Saturday. The home side’s response was a 77th minute penalty by captain Kurtis Paine after Josh McMenamin was fouled inside the box.
The Magpies were probably unlucky not to go into halftime 1-0 up after having the ball in the back of the net, only for play to be called back because the referee hadn’t played advantage and whistled for an earlier foul.
Seatoun came out strongly in the second half and forced goalkeeper Jared Watt to pull off some outstanding saves to deny them.
The pressure finally paid off with a fortuitous long range shot and a contentious second goal, which the Magpie defenders felt included a hand ball in the build-up, giving Seatoun a two-goal cushion.
Paine’s penalty gave the Magpies hope of salvaging a draw, but just couldn’t find the equaliser despite creating some chances.
“We did pressure at the end and the subs we made were really good and positive, but we just didn’t get it,” Cottle said.
“The win is not far away. It’s coming, we’re really building, we’re starting to play better, we’re getting close, so we’re hoping it’s this week against Tawa.”
The loss leaves Magpies ninth after four rounds of the 10-team league.
Former Vanuatu international Seule Soromon is expected back for the away trip to Tawa’s Redwood Park after missing the past two games with covid-19.
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GREYTOWN SHINE AWAY
Victoria Uni Raiders 0
Greytown 2
Two goals three minutes apart in the final 20 minutes sealed a third win from five away games to start the season for Greytown Fresh Choice.
Coach Gray Hewson had set a target of 10 points from the five games in Capital division four, and they got that with goals by Jarrod MacDonald after 71 minutes, followed by a Luke Rodger screamer into the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Greytown dominated much of the first half on the narrow Boyd Wilson Park artificial turf but failed to capitalise on several good chances.
The home side went close to opening the scoring after 60 minutes, only for Greytown goalkeeper James Frickleton to pull off a brilliant fingertip save.
That proved a turning point for Greytown and they were able to break down the stubborn home team resistance.
“The overall performance was really good,” Hewson said.
“It was a clean sheet, and in the back four we’ve got some young guys, and they were fantastic. We had five players away, so to be able to take some new players over and introduce some of the younger guys was great.
“In the first half, we didn’t quite put the chances away and we went in at 0-0, so I guess the game was tighter than it should have been at halftime.”
Willy Newton in the holding midfield role, and his replacement Taylor Harvey, who was named man of the match, stood out for Hewson in a solid all-round team effort.
Greytown play their first home game of the season on Saturday, hosting competition leaders Wellington Marist, who have won five from five.
Progressive Engineering Masterton Athletic’s home game against Island Bay in Capital division four was postponed because of covid-19 numbers in the visiting team.
