MAGS CRUISE INTO SEMI-FINAL
On a
quagmire of a surface at Alberton Avenue MAGS controlled this
quarter-final tie from start to finish.
For referee Stephanie Brown the biggest decision of the day
was whether to play the game. Once the game got going, it
became a matter of time before St Peter's would capitulate.
It took 31 minutes for MAGS to turn their ball possession
superiority to becoming superior on the score sheet. Mark
Withers was dragged down from the back and from the Zane Sole
free kick he followed up to lash the ball past Jonathan Ross
in the St Peter's goal. It was no more than MAGS deserved.
Their frequent raids had been thwarted by Ross and big Parusi
Lemalu. Pomare Te Anau was the main threat to St Peter's,
assisted by Skye Parmenter down the left-hand side. After
this goal MAGS were rampant, dragging the St Peter's team
from side to side. Dakota Lucas had the best opportunity to
add to the lead but his effort was well saved by Ross in the
St Peters goal.
Half-time: MAGS 1 St Peters 0
No changes were made by either coach at half time. Lucas
once again blew a excellent one versus one opportunity, with
goalkeeper Ross again diving bravely to smother his shot in
the 41st minute.
In a similar situation one minute later, Lucas shot and Ross
parried, but that man Withers was there once again to guide
the ball home. 2-0 to MAGS.
St Peter's then had two scoring opportunities at the other
end of the park, but big striker Rory Kelly wasted both,
hitting the side netting on one after a sloppy bit of
defending by skipper Jonathan Raj and on the other blasting
over the bar as he raced away from stopper Adam Cowen.
It was to be their only chances. MAGS added to their tally
with a Pomare Te Anau left-wing corner that Cowen headed home
in the 70th minute . The final goal came from set play in the
73rd minute. Zane Sole topped off a fine performance with a
curling free kick over the top of the wall 4-0 to MAGS.
After the game Brett McMurdoch disappointedly said "I
thought we would come here today and get much closer to you.
But it was not to be."
MAGS coach Kevin Fallon was more buoyant " That was our
first run out for a month. We looked like we wanted to play
and today showed the value of set play."
Final result: MAGS 4 St Peters 0
Team:
George, Elder, Raj(c) Cowen,
Parmenter, Killip, Sole, Mesias, Te Anau, Lucas, Withers.
Substitutions
Pavic for Withers 74 minute, Porter for Parmenter 74 minute
and Boss for Lucas 75th minute.
Goal Scorers:
Withers 2, Cowan and Sole
Referee Stephanie Brown.
Cautions Jade Mesias
Dismissals Nil
Man of the Match Zane Sole
