FIRST DEFEAT
OF THE SEASON
MAGS got off
to the perfect start at Macleans College. Dakota Lucas ran
onto a Mark Withers flick-on in the third minute and lobbed
the ball over Earl Crowley in the Macleans goal from the edge
of the penalty area.
The 1-0 lead was a dream start upon which MAGS should have
built.
During the next fifteen minutes, many direct free kick
opportunities came their way via the whistle of the referee
Mr Glen Williams for some very crude tackling by the
MacLeans' defenders.
Unfortunately for MAGS, Skye Parmenter and Zane Sole
squandered these goalscoring opportunities, shooting way off
target on most occasions. In the 26th minute Pomare Te Anau
cut inside, leaving two defenders in his wake, but his
well-struck shot was held by Crowley.
At this stage the game was being played in the Macleans half
of the field. It was survival tactics for Macleans, hoofing
the ball down the field and over the heads of the MAGS back
four. Corliss and Yusuf from Macleans both found their names
in the referee's book for overenthusiastic challenges.
MAGS went to the half time break in control of a toughly
fought encounter that had not really got going as a football
spectacle.
Half time: MAGS 1 MacLeans 0
No changes were made at half-time by MAGS coach Kevin
Fallon. MAGS started the half facing a stiff breeze in their
faces. In the 56th minute, striker Mark Withers had the
perfect opportunity to wrap up the game, but he fluffed his
shot from six yards. Crowley was grateful for what amounted
to a pass back. It would prove to be a costly miss.
Ten minutes later, the Macleans big centre back Ben Corliss
got up at the far post to a left wing corner. His powerful
header beat George easily in the MAGS goal. The game was all
locked up at 1-1.
From this point on, MAGS started to look a little fragile at
the back. Elder was getting chased down the left, captain Raj
started to mistime headers and Parmenter was fully extended
down the right-hand side. Only Porter was looking
comfortable.
In the 70th minute, Dakota Lucas had an opportunity to put
MAGS in the lead. Running onto a Mark Withers flick-on, he
overran the ball for Crowley to smother on the edge of the
penalty area. With twenty minutes to go, MAGS were looking
very uncomfortable under the high ball. Porter was replaced
by the tall Adam Cowen.
In the 76th minute MacLeans delivered a real body blow to
MAGS when a free kick was delivered to the near post. Patrick
George was left floundering and Rees Pemberton nipped in to
head the ball over the indecisive MAGS keeper.
More headaches were to follow. Another left-wing corner was
converted at the far post to give Pemberton his second goal
of the afternoon.
MAGS were 3-1 down with eleven minutes to play.
Although Mark Withers pulled a goal back in the 90th minute
it was too little and too late from a MAGS team who never
came to terms with the small, cramped playing field,
nor the direct no nonsense approach of Macleans College team.
A sad day for the playing-through champions, but a joyous
one for their opponents. A timely reminder for MAGS that they
are not the champions yet.
Final result MAGS 2 Macleans College 3
Team:
George, Elder, Porter, Raj, (c) Parmenter,
Milne, Sole, Killip, Te Anaau, Lucas, Withers.
Substitutes:
Cowen for Porter 72nd minute
Poi for Sole 82nd minute
Pavic not used.
Goalscorers:
Lucas 3rd minute
Withers 90th minute
Cautions Nil
Dismissals Nil
Man of the Match Hayden Porter
Referee Mr Glen Williams
