2009 Year In Review
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Otumoetai
Pullar Builders Whakatane have won 2-1 at home against Otumoetai making it 2 from 2 in their start to the season.
Whakatane started the game well and played with most of the possession and territory which lead to a number of clear chances for the homeside and eventually their first goal. A 'chip over the defence' by Sean Henderson put through Richard Oregan who finished well to give Whakatane a 1-0 lead going into the break. The second half started better for the opposition who were able to get a goal back when a loose ball in the box wasn't cleared by the Whakatane defence and the Otumoetai Striker was left plenty of time and space to finish it off at the far post. This goal rattled the Whakatane side and they needed to step up to claim the three points. After a slow start to his game it was young Daniel Sharpe who took the reigns and took on the defence at the other end of the pitch. From out on the left flank he cut inside past his marker and shot the ball across the keeper to score in the far corner. A great goal and much needed as Whakatane were able to collect all three points and continue on their winning start to the 2009 season.
Keep an eye on young Sharpe as he is soon off to the UK to trial for QPR (Queens Park Rangers).
Player of the day went to Brendon Mitchell.
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.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Hamilton Wanderers
Pullar builders Whakatane remain on top of the Federation table after securing three points with a 2-1 win at Hamiltion Wanderers.
Whakatane did it the hard way as they came from being a goal down to take the points in the last minute of play.
It was Whakatane's Grahame Sims who opened the scoring (albeit in his own goal) sliding home in an attempt to block a cross that was heading for their striker and a simple tap in. Not much that could be done so credit to Sims for at least trying to get in the way.
The first half was drawn out and it wasnt until the last 10 minutes of the half that Whakatane found their stride and began to attack the Wanderers goal with more conviction. This paid off in the second half after Keith Fraser was brought down a couple of metres inside the 18 yard box. What should have been a penalty was instead a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard line. The resulting deflection off the wall fell to Richard Oregen who managed to get a shot off which found the back of the net. 1-1.
With more attempts at goal being made it was only in the last minute of the game when Sean Henderson was lucky to bamboozle the opposition (and some of his own team mates) and fire a shot low and hard into the far corner. 2-1 to Whakatane.
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.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Tauranga City
Pullar Builders have won 4-0 at Tauranga City to maintain their unbeaten run and stretch out their lead on the federation table.
On a cold and windy day it took a while for Whakatane to settle into the game and they were fortunate that the Tauranga players were unable to finish off a couple of early chances they created from corner kicks. In saying that the score may well have been 3-3 in the first 20 minutes had it not been for poor finishing or bad luck.
It wasnt until the 25th minute that Whakatane were able to go up 1-0. A snap shot from 20 metres by Sean Henderson was spilt by the keeper and pounced upon by Richard O' Regan who easily finished.
Moments later Whakatane were awarded a penalty for a handball which was converted by Werner Rechsteiner. Whakatane went into the break 2-0 up but were far from happy with their performance.
In the second half the game seemed to intensify as heavy tackles and scuffles were going unnoticed by the ref.
Finally a free kick was awarded to Whakatane just outside the 18 yard box and Sean Henderson managed to bend the ball around the wall and into the goal to put Whakatane up 3-0.
On the 80 minute mark there was a goal mouth scramble in the Tauranga box and the ball fell to Brendan Mitchell who tucked it away and gave Whakatane a 4-0 lead which remained until the end of the game.
Player-Coach Werner Rechsteiner said about the game important are the 3 points. ''We did not play well today but games can be that way. They can be bad or horrible games and we had a bad one today. But a win is a win. It's important that we take it the way they come at this time of the season.''
Bella Designs Player of the Day went to Shem Clark.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Te Awamutu
Whakatane played Te Awamutu and lost 2-0 losing their spot on top of the table. Whakatane came out very flat and again started slowly after having a week off from a bye.
Te Awamutu had a goal within 5 minutes after 4 near misses! while Whakatane struggled to play football on their PADDOCK so often resorted to kicking the ball upfield rather than hold possession and working passes together.
The second half began with a goal from the kick off. Whakatane didn’t even touch the ball. Derek Wordworth in goal made some good saves to keep the score line down while Whakatane barely had any real attacking opportunities until near the end of the game when at one stage they hit the upright and then finally got some shots at goal and on target.. By then too little too late.
A huge loss for Whakatane who should have easily beaten Te Awamutu.
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.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Taupo
Pullar Builders Whakatane have beaten Federation league leaders Taupo 4-2 and in doing so have been the first team to win at Taupo for more than two years, therefore taking home the Federation Shield, which since its conception has only had one name on it. Whakatane are now also on the same points as Taupo and Matamata who sit with them at the top of the table, although each have a game in hand.
Whakatane started very slowly again and could easily have been three goals down in the first 20 minutes had it not been for Derek Wordworth in goal making some great saves. Eventually after 10 minutes Taupo did score from a corner kick as the ball cleared the head of everyone who jumped for it and bounced off a suprised Whakatane player and into the net. From here it seemed Taupo could run away with the win but Whakatane were able to get one back on the 20 minute mark when a corner kick of their own turned into a goal mouth scrammble and was stabbed into the back of the net by Brendon Mitchell.
10 minutes later and Whakatane took the lead when Michael Sims did well to get past his defender on the right flank and pass the ball across to an open Mitchell who finished it off to give Whakatane a 2-1 lead.
However moments befor halftime a Taupo player managed to get past his defender and cross the ball into the box. When the shot was saved by Wordworth in goal the ref decided to come back to an earlier infringement (before the cross was made) and awarded Taupo a penalty which was converted evening the scoreline up at 2-2. Whakatane felt hard done by but that is Football.
The second half panned out with Taupo making the first move. A ball was lobbed forward into the path of the Taupo player who was clearly onside but ruled offside by the linesmen. Unfortunate for Taupo but Whakatane felt that had evened things up and so continued to play forward. With more chances being created it was only time before another goal would come. Taupo were getting frustrated and this proved their undoing as they had a player sent from the field and Whakatane took control. Richard Oregen lifted the side with a well taken header to put Whakatane up 3-2 and then Brendon Mitchel secured his hat trick near the end of the game when the ball was deflected into his path and he was easily able to nodd the ball over the line.
The Taupo crowd were very quiet as they now new that the 'Fortress' had been tumbled.
Player of the day went to Michael Sims.
Its not suprising that it was Whakatane who finally managed to take the shield from Taupo. These two teams have had some very even battles over the past few years and so Whakatane can now lay claim to the Federation Shield....which will be up for grabs as they defend it against Ngaruawahia at home this weekend. Kick off 2.45pm.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Rotorua United
Pullar Builders Whakatane have drawn 0-0 with Rotorua United.
Playing at home meant the Federation Challenge Shield was up for grabs so Whakatane needed to secure at least a draw to keep the shield.
It was possible that this was in the minds of the players as they started the game much better than in recent weeks.
On paper these two sides were evenly matched and this was shown as the game progressed. Whakatane were able to play the ball around and managed to create several first half chances but Rotorua were doing their best to keep up with the play and made a couple of runs at goal themselves. Fortunately the finishing by Rotorua was not enough to threaten the homeside goalkeeper who only had to pull off a couple of saves throughout the match. Credit to the Whakatane defence for keeping the shots at a minimum.
At the other end of the field Whakatane were able to create several chances of their own but again the shots were not going in and so at half time the scores remained 0-0.
The second half began and the wind got even stronger. This had to be taken into account as many long and high balls were simply being blown off the field. Whakatane kept up their attack and won several corner kicks which were unable to be converted. Some clever passing made the way for more chances at goal but again either the shots were not on target and/or the Rotorua Defence was desperate in their tackles. Credit to the Rotorua goal keeper who managed to keep out the pressure and earn himself man of the match.
Towards the end of the match Rotorua showed determination as they created more chances but also let themselves down with the final pass or attempt at goal.
The game ended with no score and both teams now sit even in third place on the table although Whakatane have a game in hand.
Whakatane's player of the day went to Birthday boy Werner Rechsteiner.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Otorohanga
Pullar builders Whakatane have drawn 2-2 at home to Otorohanga.
What should have been a win ended up a near loss had it not been for two late goals by Whakatane who at one stage were down 2-0.
Whakatane were again slow to start and seemed sluggish from the outset. Fortunately, Otorohanga were unable to seize this opportunity and only managed to get into the Whakatane half on a number of occasions. Whakatane held the majority of possession and territory but were simply doing nothing with it.
Passes were not being completed and there seemed to be no direction or game plan by either side. In fact it was quite a dull game due to the lack of good football being played and the amount of times the refs whistle was being blowed for 'nothing'. Of course there were times when Whakatane looked like they were shifting into second gear and they did win plenty of corners but failed to convert and all too often the game would slip back into the slow pace it was going.
At half time the score remained 0-0.
Without much change the second half continued and it was Otorohanga that scored first. A defensive error let the visitors in on goal and they made the most of it slotting the ball past Whakatane's stand in goal keeper Paul Shakes.
This is usually the wake up call that Whakatane respond to but instead moments later the visitors were up 2-0 when they managed to squeeze in a shot into the top left corner from outside the 18 yard line.
Whakatane began to pick up the pace and credit must go to them for not putting their heads down and giving up. Instead a breath of life was put back into them on the 80 minute mark when Carwyn Evans managed to score by steering in a cross from Terry Stilgoe. With 10 minutes remaining the visitors sat back and watched as Whakatane repeatedly made their way for goal. With a minute remaining it was Paul Taylor who managed to head home a cross from Werner Rechsteiner and score the equilizer.
The full time whistle blew and Whakatane still had the shield but not the vital 3 points they wanted more. They will also be travelling away to Otumoetai next week short of two players who were sent from the field in the last few minutes of the match leaving Whakatane only 9 men on the field.
Overall a dissapointing effort from the lads with the only upside being that Matamata and Taupo were also held to draws over the weekend and so these three teams remain bunched near the top of the table.
Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Claudelands
Pullar Builders Whakatane are back on track with a 3-2 win over Claudelands Rovers giving them the much needed three points that has alluded them in their last two fixtures.
Playing at Claudelands on a bumpy and boggy pitch made it difficult for Whakatane to play good football and so the first 30 minutes wasnt great to watch with lack lustre efforts in tackles and players lacking urgency in moving forward. Claudelands would have thought they were going to run away with it after spending most of the first 30 in the Whakatane half. During this time they managed to conjur up a few chances and had it not been for poor finishing and some great saves by Whakatane's goal keeper and player of the day, Derek Woodworth, Claudelands may have been up by 3 or more. A goal finally did arrive for Claudelands when they recieved a penalty when one of their players was brought down in the box. It was well taken to give the homeside a 1-0 lead.
Thats what Whakatane were waiting for and from here the game changed. Whakatane dominated the last 15 minutes and started to attack with conviction and sure enough, a long punt upfield was nodded on from Caleb Hyndman for Terry Stilgoe to head into the top corner for the equiliser. halftime 1-1.
As the second half began Whakatane continued where they left off and kept harrasing the Claudelands goal. Brendan Mitchel was threatening down the flank while in the middle Mark Burgess and Michael Simms were geting stronger and stronger. On the 55 minute mark it was Stilgoe who crossed a ball from way out wide into the path Hyndman who cut inside his defender and managed to volley the ball from outside the 18 yard line into the top left corner. A stinging shot that gave the keeper no chance and Whakatane a 2-1 lead.
However, Claudelands were not out and only moments later they equilised when their forward lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.
Whakatane did not let up and again were back in front after some good football was played. Ben Mc Pherson took a throw in and then continued to run in behind the opposition. Carwyn Evans recieved the ball and slipped the pass between two players back into the path of McPherson who then passed it out wide to Stilgoe. Stilgoe again crossed the ball and Hyndman was again able to get a slight touch to it glancing the ball into the far corner.
With 20 minutes remaining in the game there was still plenty of time for more goals, however with Claudelands starting to show frustration and Whakatane showing more determination in defence, the 3-2 scoreline stayed.
A tough match that saw Whakatane claim the three points to put them back near the top of the ladder with games still in hand over the other teams.
Whakatane ended the season in Third place.