Late lapse costs Marist club victory
A concentration lapse in the final minute cost Palmerston North Marist a deserved vital three points as they drew their Central League clash 1-all with Wellington United on Memorial Park on Sunday.
A win would have put Marist within three points behind secondbottom Lower Hutt who drew with 0-all with Team Taranaki.
It was a game Marist needed to win and after an excellent second half, they should have won to put themselves within reach of Lower Hutt with one full round remaining.
Although the last minute goal they conceded when they failed to mark Wellington’s wide player then gave their striker a free shot inside the six-yard goalbox was costly, Marist would have gained some confidence that they can get enough points to get themselves off bottom place and stay in the Central League next season.
After surviving a first spell where Wellington’s woeful finishing missed three open chances and Marist missed one themselves, Marist dominated the second spell.
Coach Shane Rufer’s substitutions, bringing on Nathan Cooksley, who has been out injured, and Ashish Sahayam at halftime proved the difference, as they controlled possession a lot better.
Marist has always looked dangerous from set piece and it was a classic goal that put them ahead.
A long throw by Bart Rimnongrua was flicked on by Graham Craven for Cooksley to head in.
It wasn’t the only chance, with Marist hitting the post twice through Rimnongrua and a goalbound shot by Michael Sheridan was somehow kept out.
Midfielder Adam Cowan picked up what appeared a hip injury and after Marist had used three subs, so he was left almost a passenger playing up front and it may have cost Marist.
Cowan had dominated the attacking end of the midfield and with Cooksley the Marist central midfield looked better than at any other stage of the season, while Sheridan also had a strong game. In the curtain-raiser, the
women’s side smashed a poor 10-1 to keep themselves right in the mix for the Wellington ‘W’ League title.
Marist Wairarapa United
Marist are two points behind
who surprisingly struggled to beat bottom-placed
4-1, while second level with Marist, beat 5-1.
Marist coach Simon Lees has been looking for more consistency from his strikers and TJ Lynelewis finally got some reward for her hard work with four goals.
The other goals were scored by Hannah Fitzgerald (2), Nicole Robertson (2), Mikaela Boxall and midfielder Leah Gallie. In the men’s Federation League,
and fought out an entertaining 2-all draw on the immaculate pitch at Massey University.
After leading 2-1 at halftime, Red Sox grabbed their equaliser two minutes from the end, with Mitchell Higgison scoring his first goal.
Man of the match Luke Fryer had earlier scored a penalty.
Massey’s goals were scored by Patrick Thomson and Ismael Mimbi.
Massey could have been further ahead at halftime after Red Sox keeper Scott Outtrim save a penalty in the first half.
Nino de Gregorio had a good game in goal for Massey.
were beaten 2-1 by at Ashhurst Domain, with Mitchell Dempster scoring for Marist Reserves.
Upper Hutt,
Stop Out United,
Seatoun Massey University Wellington Red Soxmanawatu Marist Reserves New Plymouth Rangers