Improving Marist get out of the cellar
Three weeks ago Marist’s Central League survival looked slim.
But a draw followed by consecutive wins have seen them move off bottom place in the hotly contested competition.
On Saturday under the lights at Fraser Park in the Hutt Valley in a must-win game against fellow league-struggler Lower Hutt City, Marist turned in one of their best performances winning 4-1 after leading 3-0 at the break.
The victory puts Marist on nine points, one ahead of Lower Hutt, with third-to-bottom Wellington Olympic one point ahead on 10.
It’s also believed struggling Taranaki, who are currently on 11 points, have also been deducted three points for playing an ineligible player. If Taranaki lose the points, it will drop them to eight points and below Marist.
Marist coach Shane Rufer said they were all rapt to finally get off bottom but they were well aware it was only one step to Central League survival.
‘‘There’s seven games to go and it’s going to be a dogfight right until the end of the season,’’ Rufer said. ‘‘It’s good to get off the bottom and will give us more confidence which has always been good.’’
Rufer agreed that his big players like Nathan Cooksley, Adam Cowan and Graeme Craven needed to take control of the team on the pitch.
‘‘Nathan and Adam have been there before and played in important games and their leadership is crucial to our survival,’’ he said.
‘‘The spirit is great in the team after we had six losses and three draws in the first round and won both our games in the second round.’’
Rufer has worked hard on his sides set piece play. It’s paid off for a majority of their goals and on Saturday, Craven scored with two headers. While Aaron Richardson and impressive youngster Taylor Monk scored the other goals before they conceded a late one.
In the Wellington women’s W League, continued on their winning way with a solid 4-0 win over at Memorial Park to remain just two points behind Upper Hutt, who scored a narrow 1-0 win over a promising Seatoun. Wellington United stayed level on 19 points with Marist after an 6-0 win over Wairarapa United.
Marist were only ahead 1-0 through Tilly James at the break, but was never under any pressure as Stop Out’s only aim appeared to
Marist Stop Out
keep the score down. Marist’s virtual total control of possession paid off with three second-half goals to TJ Lyne-lewis, Molly Woodhead and a first goal for Kate Mori.
Marist coach Simon Lees said they’ve got a big month ahead of them with a home game against Wellington United next week followed by a visit to Seatoun in the national women’s knockout cup, then meeting them at home, followed by a trip to Upper Hutt.
‘‘If we can get through the next month we’re looking good’’ Lees said. ‘‘It’s a tough run but we’re playing very well at present and we’re good enough to win the league.’’
It was another disappointing day for the Manawatu’s three Federation League sides who continue to fill the bottom three places in the league, well behind league leader Havelock North Wanderers.
Like each of the Manawatu sides who have made the trip to
Gisborne Reserves Thistle, Havelock North Marist
was beaten 2-1 in a tight game. Bottom-placed
continue to improve but as coach Donald Piper said, they can’t buy a win. Massey went down 4-2 to in Napier after taking the lead in the third minute through Joe Freeman, who scored both goals.
Massey University