Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Otumoetai

Pullar Builders Whakatane vs Otumoetai

17 July 2010

Puller Builders Whakatane Town travelled away this week to take three points against Otumoetai.

The last game of the previous season is not a fond memory for Whakatane Town, travelling away to Otumoetai to come away with not only a loss but also an unfortunate broken leg for key player Graeme ?. Within this context the boys from Whakatane approached the game determined to focus on playing clean football and most-off-all to take all three points.

The game was played in front of a new clubhouse for hosts Otumoetai and in weather and field conditions much improved from previous encounters, the stage was set.   

In spite of a lack lustre season from Otumoetai to date they came out strong slotting home within two minutes of the kickoff. This served as a hefty wake up call to Whakatane Town. Inspired wing play from Brendan Mitchel down the flank turned the momentum of the game with two goals coming from solo runs down the flank. These two goals were added to in the first half by Rodney Stone as he reacted quickly to a missed clearance to blast home from ten yards.

Yellow cards were being dished out like candy at a birthday party before the half time in spite of a relatively good natured state of play. Unfortunately it was Whakatane Town that would lose out with a second yellow to central midfielder Terry Stilgoe 5 minutes into the second half.

With a man down in the midfield for most of the second half, the defensive line put in a commendable effort to shut up shop locking Otumoetai out. In particular, left back Nick Pidgeon put in a phenomenal work rate to earn himself player of the day.     

Midway through the second half a well picked out cross found Striker Richard O’Reagan who heading home for a fourth goal for Whakatane Town.

With a final score of 4-1, Whakatane Town retain their position at the top of the leader-board alongside Rotorua.