SIX OF THE BEST FOR MAGS
Mount Albert Grammar School were too much of a handful today at
Alberton Avenue for relegation rivals Rangitoto College. MAGS
ran out 6 - 0 winners in a game that quite frankly could have
been six at half time and double that at full time
Only some brave goalkeeping by Rangitoto custodian Andrew Van
Stripiaan and some poor finishing by many of the MAGS players
kept the score from looking more like a rugby
result.
MAGS
started the game in a business like manner scoring twice in
the first twelve minutes of play. The first was a superb goal
for the ever improving central midfield player Thomas Boss in
the 8th minute. He picked up he ball just outside the area
ran six yards and coolly slotted it past Van Stripiaan. It
was a most welcome first goal of the season for Boss.
Four minute later it was Boss again who appeared to be in the
thick of action. He was crudely upended just inside the
Rangitoto penalty area. Referee Stephanie Brown pointed to
the spot. The MAGS goalkeeper Patrick George made no mistake
with a fierce low drive giving his opposite number no chance
of a save.
Between this phase of play and the next goal were many missed
goalscoring opportunities. At times they were coming by the
minute. MAGS displayed some polished set play at corners and
free kicks but Van Stripiaan held firm often saving at point
blank range. If ever he was beaten up would pop a defender
blocking the ball or clearing off the line.
The third goal eventually came on the stroke of half time
when a Pomare Te Anau shot rebounded but Dakota Lucas
spectacularly dived in amongst the boots to head MAGS into a
3-0 lead. It was no less than they deserved going into the
break.
Half time MAGS 3 Rangitoto 0
MAGS brought on Arnold Kochasira at half time for Pomare Te
Anau. Te Anau had just returned with flu and was looking
worse for wear.
Rangitoto right full back Aidan Wivell no doubt would have
been glad to see the back of tricky winger Te Anau but he was
to find out that the speedy Kochasira would pose different
problems.
Kochasira got straight into the action delivering pin point
corners in the 47th and 48th minute that MAGS captain Ryan
Elder should have scored off, one he put wide from a
Fitzpatrick header and the other into Van Stripiaan's arms.
MAGS now were beginning to knock the ball around with class
and Poi and Boss were at the heart of the action featuring in
cross over plays, walls and overlapping in the attacking
third. Poi hit the bar in the 53rd minute then a minute later
Emmanuel Darkwa cleared a Kochasira shot off the line with
his goalkeeper beaten.
Then Kochasira opened his account finishing off a Lucas solo
in the 57th minute. Three minutes later Kochasira got his
second with a carefully placed shot out of the reach of the
Rangitoto keeper. Since replacing Te Anau super sub Kochasira
proved to be a real threat for the Rangitoto back four. His
pace and determination unsettled the Rangitoto defence.
Another substitute Karlo Pavic who came on up front for
Faitalia Hamilton in the 70th minute scored the sixth and
final goal. Pavic turned in the penalty area and calmly
stroked the ball home past a frustrated looking Rangitoto
custodian.
The next significant event was the appearance of 14 year old
Harley Tahau replacing Jordan Vale in the 84th minute. Tahau
looked to be another player of the future as he confidently
controlled and passed the ball around as if he had been a
regular fixture in the MAGS engine room.
Final result MAGS 6 Rangitoto 0
Team:
George, Elder (c), Porter, Rowlands,
Fitzpatrick, Poi, Boss, Vale, Lucas, Hamilton, Te Anau.
Substitutions:
Kochasira for Te Anau 46th minute, Pavic for Hamilton 70th
minute, Tahau for Vale 84th minute.
Cautions
; Conrad Poi, Jordan Vale.
Dismissals:
Nil
Goalscorers:
Boss 8 George 12 (penalty)
Kochasira 57, 60. Pavic 74
Referee
Mrs Stephanie Brown.
Man of the Match: Jude Fitzpatrick