MAGS CUP
DREAM OVER
Mount Albert
Grammar School exited the 2008 Chatham Cup on a rain-soaked
Alberton Avenue ground. Their cup dream crumbled in the first
eleven minutes of the game.
Going 1-0 down in the 8th minute to a Sam Campbell header
from a left wing Del Monte corner, MAGS had a poor start. But
that was nothing compared to the situation they found
themselves in three minutes later.
MAGS goalkeeper Patrick George was the villain when he
dashed out of his goal and upended Central striker Grant
Young. Referee Yahn Hintz went for his top pocket and out
came the red card.
Del Monte slotted the resultant penalty kick to put Central
in a comfortable 2-0 lead after 11 minutes with MAGS now
reduced to ten men and Captain Jonathan Raj taking over in
goal.
It was a big ask, but the MAGS team quickly re-organised and
ran and battled against their senior opposition. It was not
enough; in the 28th minute midfield player Jade Mesias gave
away a sloppy pass. Grant Young was quick to take adavantage
of his mistake to net the third and crucial goal.
MAGS managed to mount attacks of their own with Pomare Te
Anau giving his marker Aeron Singh a torrid time. It was Te
Anau who carved out the best scoring opportunity for MAGS in
the first half, but his shot went wide.
Half-time: MAGS 0 Central United 3
Hayden Porter replaced Mesias at half time and Milne moved
into central midfield, with Porter playing at right back. It
was Porter who slid into a reckless tackle upending Grant
Young in the 49th minute. Del Monte obliged once again 4-0 to
Central.
At the other end MAGS was still mounting attacks and Cowen
headed over the bar a Parmenter free kick in the 58th minute.
One minute later Del Monte completed his hat trick when his
left wing corner curled into the MAGS goal with no full back
on the far post.
Despite being 5-0 down MAGS was still managing to keep the
ball in long spells of accurate passing movements that
faltered approaching the top third due to Withers having to
battle away up front on his own.
Matt Killip came on for Milne and started to bring more
energy into the game. In the 64th minute Withers got in a
powerful shot that sailed over the bar.
Del Monte then put another nail in the MAGS coffin when he
so easily turned on the edge of the box and slotted his
fourth of the day. 6-0 to the cup holders.
Full credit to MAGS as they finished the game with a series
of attacking corners, still trying to get on the score sheet,
but it was not to be.
The final blow was struck by David Richmond as he sped away
from the tired MAGS defenders to get the final goal of the
game.
After the game a disconsolate MAGS coach Kevin Fallon said,
"As soon as we lost the goalkeeper the game became an
exercise in "damage control." It was a tough enough fixture
without having to play with ten men. It proved to be too
much. Out there today Jonathan Raj showed a lot of courage
replacing Patrick George in goal and Pomare Te Anau was at
times the best player on the park. He gave his marker a
torrid time.
I have no complaints and now the team know where they stand
with regards to top senior, winter football in this country.
It was a pity we didn't get the opportunity to finish the
game with eleven players."
Final result MAGS 0 Central United 7
Man of the Match: Pomare Te Anau
Team:
George, Elder, Cowen, Raj (c)
Parmenter, Milne. Sole, Mesias, Te Anau, Lucas , Withers.
Substitutes:
Porter for Mesias 46th minute
Killip for Milne 66th minute
Pavic for Lucas 80th minute
Referee:
Yahn Hintz
Cautions: Hayden Porter
Dismissals Patrick George 11th minute
Click here for a Herald report of the game:
In the second half the photos were taken by Dave Elder: a
selection follows.
