Whakatane vs Old Blues

Whakatane Bay 1 have travelled to Old Blues in Tauranga to play a catch up game and came home with 3 points after a 2-0 win.

A depleted Whakatane side took over only 11 men but managed to play some of their best football this season. With yet another change in the midfield pairing and with several regulars missing, Whakatane's Bay 1 side have been unable to play a consistent starting 11 this entire season and so have had to adapt each weekend to new players and positions. In wet conditions they opted to play a passing game to feet rather than punt long balls up field and were able to hold the majority of the possession throughout the game. Some early chances were well saved by the home sides keeper but Whakatane were confident that a goal would come as they continued to attack the Old Blues.

It was an outstanding 30 metre strike by Clifford Obrien that suprised everyone and got Whakatane on the score sheet. As Old Blues made their way out of their half they showed too much ball to Obrien who met it on the full and watched as it swerv on its way into the goal. 

Whakatane made it two goals moments later when a corner kick was well met by Neil Aslin who rose to head it into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

The game got scrappy towards the end as a frustrated homeside began to throw their weight around to no avail. Whakatane kept their heads and with the full time whistle were happy to walk away with the points.

Next week these two sides meet again at Rex Morpeth park.