Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Matamata

Pullar Builders have won 2-1 at home to Matamata securing their place on top of the table and sending a message to the rest of the league that once again, Whakatane are a hard team to break down.

It was another early goal against the Whakatane side and it was completely against the run of play but the home side bounced back into the game. A cross was headed back into the goal mouth and into the path of Matamata's young left half who hammered it into the roof of the net to give Matamata the one goal lead in the 15' minute.

It took a defensive error in the 25' minute by Matamata's player/coach, Duncan Lowry, to bring Whakatane back on level terms.
A poor clearance from his own goal line was kicked straight at the advancing Brendan Mitchell's head and into the goal. An unlikely goal that saw Mitchell end his goal scoring drought and begin his quest for more.
Moments later in the 28' minute, Whakatane were up 2-1 when Mitchell had time to size up the situation and crack home a wonderful winner.

Whakatane out thought and out played the Swifts in the first half and went into the break with a well deserved one goal lead.

All Whakatane had to do now was deny the Matamata side from scoring and looking to get the killer 3rd goal, but Matamata defended well.

Derek Woodworth played well in goal and was instrumental in keeping the homeside ahead. Overall a gutsy performance from a team that wanted it more than the other side. Player of the day went to the whole Team for their outstanding team effort.

Next week Whakatane travel to Tauranga for round six of the Federation League 2-45 pm Kick Off.