Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Claudelands

Pullar Builders Whakatane have drawn 2-2 at home to Claudelands.
Whakatane got off to a great start and pressured the opposition in their own half from the outset of the match. This resulted in a corner kick for the home side which was met on the full and volleyed into the back of the net by Carwyn Evans.
Whakatane then continued to play good football and were unlucky on one occasion not to get a penalty awarded when a player handled the ball the in the box. Instead the ball was thumped up field and a dubious free kick was given to Claudelands just outside the 18 yard line. The shot attempt was on the money as the ball squeezed into the top right corner giving our keeper no chance.
At half time the score remained 1-1.
Whakatane started slowly in the second half and Claudelands capitalised on another long ball. This time their striker was able to get through for a one on one which he converted easily. It wasnt until the last 15 minutes of the game that Whakatane mounted their comeback. Numerous attempts at goal were made and then finally another long ball from Sean Henderson again found Richard O' Regan head and the ball bounced into the goal for the equalizer. Some more goal oppurtunities were then created by Whakatane and they could have, should have scored, but luck wasnt on our side at times and the game finished at 2-2.
The 1 point for the draw was enough to put Whakatane on top of the league table although two other teams have a game in hand.

Special mention must go to the three 16 Year old 1st. Team Debutants that have been given some time on the Field in the last three games, Robert Sonntag, Chris Stanton and Adam Thompson.

Next week Whakatane travel to Hamilton to play the Wanderers at 2-45pm.