Premier Men’s Game Update
Monday Night Lights...off the back of a weekend off the tools, the boys got together under the cloud of another Auckland storm. Also, the storm of letting 9 past them 9 days earlier against the Roskill Roosters was still lingering...but as soon as that first whistle went, the team transformed.
7 years have past since we triumphed over Somerville. We went agonisingly close a few weeks ago on their home turf but we wouldn't be denied on this night.
The crowd had grown nicely and the boys started the 1st quarter with a bit of fizz under the wings. Might have been the Night n Day lollies provided or the fact that we wanted to right the ship that had hit a small iceberg in recent weeks.
We weathered the Somerville storm and on the break, we scored one of the greatest goals in the last few seasons for the Green and White. A great 'heads-up' play from Hamish Greenwood, who must have made sure the headband wasn't over his eyes this time, took the sideline hit quickly. Gave a give-and-go with the Player/Coach and got the ball back before hitting a sublime pass to his strike partner, Jaiden Gosha, who calmly rounded the keeper and hit a reverse sweep to the bottom corner and sent the crowd into hysteria. Our first lead over a team other than Western for quite some time.
The team defended strongly, with Miten coming in late for Joey but proved to be the difference maker. He made some vital clearances and showed great composure to get us home after 3 long stints of 17 minutes for the fans and the team.
But, we got there. 3 points in the bag. Clean sheet for the best keeper in NZ, who again showed us all why he should never be removed from the NZ Blacksticks goal, but was an all-around team effort with players out on their feet at the final whistle.
We go again this weekend over to East Auckland, where HowPak have the mortgage on LEP and the fixture list as they just park their bus there. Never mind, the boys will venture out, and grab a coffee at the Historical Village before returning to the sunnier side of Auckland with another 3 points.
Last weekend before KBT. Safe travels to players, staff, and supporters. Will see you down there.
Go well and go to the mighty AISC Warriors.
Pete - Manager