Whakatane vs TCU3

This weekend saw the start of the CNS Cup contest formerly known as the Tasman Cup. Whakatane's Bay 1 team was at home against the Tauranga City 3 which have been undefeated in the Bay Two division and could easily compete in the Bay 1 league. With this in mind the home side knew they were in for a match and made sure they contested everything that came their way.

As the match started it was obvious that both teams wanted the win. Hard tackles were being made by both sides but it was in the 15th minute that Whakatane were able to capitilise on the possession they had. Good work on the flank by Marc Burgess allowed the strikers time to position themselves in the box and when a cross came in from George Dalgety it was met on the full by Carwyn Evans who volleyed it into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance.

TCU were stunned but not about to give up and they pushed forward for the equiliser. This came on the 30 minute mark when a mix up in defence gave the TCU player a clear shot at goal in which he made no mistake.

Whakatane's Connor Davies was put though and unlucky to see his shot go over the crossbar and another chance for Evans just shaved the upright when he managed to lobb the advancing keeper from a throw in. A bad tackle then forced him from the field to allow Justin Nichols to take his place up front.

At halftime the scores remained 1-1.

The second half saw several more chance go both teams way and it was Tauranga who went 2-1 up when one of their players fell in the box and was awarded a penalty for his efforts. The goal was converted but Whakatane bought on substitute Clifford Obrien who's first touch from a corner hit the back of the net levelling the scores at 2-2. So with the game still at 2 all after 90 minutes it went into extra time which brought about no change and so it was down to Penalties which went 5-4 to TCU.

McDonalds man of the match went to Matt Dalgety for his good defensive effort.