Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Melville
Pullar Builders Whakatane have lost 1-0 to Melville at home dropping further down the ladder and now sit in third place behind Leaders Taupo and Matamata.
It was a better start to the game than previous performances for the home side however a number of chances created were unlucky not to be converted into goals. Brendon Mitchell looked to have snuck one in from a far post header that came from a corner kick. The Melville goalkeeper was quick to react and managed to shut out the attempt. Other chances were unfortunately hit over the cross bar instead of at goal.
When Melville had what seemed like their first chance at goal..they made no mistake. A ball was struck at Derek Wordworth in the Whakatane goal from the left flank and it instead acted like a cross with the Melville players being first to get to the deflection and so managed to squeeze it in after a scramble by both sides to get a foot on the ball.
At the break Whakatane were down 1-0 but felt they were very much in the game and a goal would come in time. After 70 minutes a Whakatane player was sent from the field for his second yellow card and so the uphill battle began. The second half was a fought hard by both sides and although Whakatane seemed to be playing better and getting more and more chances at goal they were unlucky not to even the score line up and eventually the 90 minutes went by and the score remained at 1-0.
Player of the day went to Paul Taylor at Centre back.
Next week Whakatane travel to Taupo.