Whakatane vs Katikati

Whakatane Bay 1 played at home this weekend against Katikati and were determined to take points off the current league leaders and put themselves back in the run for the title. The start of the game saw Whakatane take it to the visitors with good play from out wide leading to several scoring chances. One chance in particular was somehow put wide of the goal when it seemed easier to score but the good news was that Whakatane were creating the opportunities to shoot at goal and it seemed one wasnt far away. However, Katikati were not to let up and they too managed to get a couple of shots at goal of their own and were unlucky when one of their players shot high and wide of the top corner when he perhaps should have scored.
From here the game seemed to get a bit scrappy as several tackles that could have produced a yellow card were made as the desperate defense from both sides kept the scores locked at nil all at halftime. Whakatane's back three Matt Dalgety, Neil Maslin and Andrew Mitchell put up a great defensive effort and were helped by the tireless Ben Miller in the midfield while Jason Pullar competed well in the middle of the park as well. Justin Nicols was a threat on the right flank making some great runs while Clifford Obrien on the opposite flank worked well with his forwards and midfield players to keep the strikers involved. As the gamed continued it seemed a 0-0 draw was likely but with only a minute left on the clock a last ditch effort by Miller saw his shot at goal deflect off a Katikati player and into the chest of Whakatane's Carwyn Evans which wrong footed the last defender who's desperate attempt to clear the ball could not prevent it from rolling over the line. With that the final whistle blew and Whakatane claimed all three points. A great team effort that had the boys break out in song after the match. McDonalds man of the match went to Aaron Wood who played well in the midfiled throughout the game.