Whakatane vs Edgecumbe

Whakatane's Bay 1 side have had a dissapointing 2-0 loss away to Edgecumbe. Although the game was played in good spirits and was entertaining to watch, Whakatane felt they could have gone home with the three points after creating a stack of chances that could not find the back of the net.

Edgecumbe came out strongest from the start as it took Whakatane 15 minutes to get into the game opting instead to make poor tackles and give possession back to the home side. Whakatane then began to dominate and managed to play most of the first half in Edgecumbes territory creating several first half chances with one attempt striking the crossbar. However it was near the end of the first half when a strike at goal had Edgecumbe win a penalty as the ball was ruled to hit a hand in the box on the way through. This was converted and Edgecumbe went into the break 1-0 up.

Whakatane continued where they left off in the second half and again managed to take several shots at goal that were either saved or fired over the crossbar. One of these shots was also ruled to hit a hand on the way through and Whakatane then had themselves a penalty. Unfotunately this was well saved by the Edgecumbe keeper who dived and parried the ball into the path of another Whakatane player who also missed the chance to draw the game level.

Whakatane didnt give up and more chances were being cretaed with the result being more crossbar deflections and saves by the Edgecumbe keeper.

A break from the home side towards the end of the match saw them do what Whakatane couldnt and score a 2nd goal of the game to secure the win.

Whakatane left the field happy with the way they played but dissapointed to miss out on points. Another day would have seen those shots go in and Whakatane know that will again happen soon.  McDonalds Player of the day went to Clifford Obrien. They travel next week to play Old Blues in a catch up game.