MAGS will not
be adding to their Auckland Secondary School cup final
appearance after their match on a wind-swept day in Glen Innes.
The crucial goal for Sacred Heart was scored by Tim Paine in
the 35th minute in what looked to be from an offside position.
The MAGS players appealed to referee John Schipper but it was
to no avail, the goal stood.
It only added to their woes in a first half where Faitalia
Hamilton should have definitely scored when he was five yards
from goal with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 31st minute.
He tamely shot at the keeper. Arus Sem then missed another
glorious opportunity from inside the box, shooting over the bar
in the 34th minute.
Then Paine struck to put the large crowd into raptures of
delight giving his team the half-time advantage.
Half time Sacred Heart 1 MAGS 0
For MAGS
Jordan Vale was replaced at half time by Connor Lynch.
The game continued to have very little to praise in a second
half devoid of good attacking play.
For MAGS, only goalkeeper Patrick George stood out as he dealt
comfortably with the cross ball and generally tidying up behind
a back four of Callum Kiddell, Matt Rowland, Sam Redwood and
Matt Alemann.
In front of them Nikko Boxall and Matt Hand were steady, but
never really got going forward enough to assist Hamilton and
later Karlo Pavic who replaced Atherton in the 64th minute.
In attack, it was a day to forget as most were replaced by
substititions. MAGS lived to regret the missed chances, as
Sacred Heart stood firm in a second half that petered out into
a series of unimaginative play with either team hardly
stringing a pass together.
MAGS coach Kevin Fallon said, "There was a big crowd supporting
the home team today and it lifted the home team's
performance."
Final result MAGS 0 Sacred Heart 1
Referee John Schipper
Team: George, Kiddell, Redwood, Rowland, Alemann, Hand, Boxall, Atherton, Sem, Hamilton, Vale,
Substitutions
Lynch for Vale 41st minute
Pavic K for Atherton 64th minute
Stoton for Sem 70th minute.
Cautions
Faitalia Hamilton Matt Rowland
Dismissals Nil
Man of the
Match
Patrick George