Tired Marist women fall to Wellington
The toll of losing last week’’s national women’s knockout cup quarterfinal was still haunting Palmerston North Marist as they suffered a surprise 5-2 loss to Wellington United.
Having played 120 exhausting minutes to lose 2-1 against Upper Hutt last week, Marist looked a little tired in their Capital W League game at Memorial Park on Saturday, where they were well beaten by Wellington.
Marist coach Simon Lees thought it was a hangover from last weekend and they hadn’t bounced back properly.
‘‘Even in our warmup we lacked the edge we’ve had all season,’’ Lees said. ‘‘Wellington, they won the league last year.
‘‘They’re still very good and they punished us.’’
Lees said it was their worst performance of the season.
Marist scored first against the run of play through Hannah Fitzgerald, and started coming back into the game.
But Wellington levelled to make it 1-all by halftime, then in the second half Marist appeared to run out of steam.
Wellington were allowed too much time and space, and scored in the 65th and 68th minutes, which put them firmly on top with a 3-1 lead.
Marist pushed forward as they chased the game and even though Lydia Bamford grabbed back a goal, Wellington scored another couple of quick goals in the 75th and 80th minute.
Despite conceding five goals, defenders Amber Phillips, Molly Woodhead and Rose Morton all had good games and Tilly James was a threat up front as always.
The Marist men’s team hurtled further towards relegation, losing 3-1 to Wellington United at Wellington.
Marist, who are rooted to the bottom of the Central League and will be in the Federation League next season, scored first when Graham Craven scored from a header from a set piece.
But then a defensive blunder when Marist didn’t clear their line let Wellington score and they let in another one to be down 2-1 at halftime.
Marist had a few chances, but conceded a third in the second half.
Dom Semmens, who is still at St Peter’s College, made his Central League debut and was impressive in goal, making some good saves.
Jamie Lamb also played his first game and was impressive at centre forward, while Nathan Cooksley and Taylor Monk also looked good.
In the Federation League,
Havelock North Wanderers
confirmed the league title when they beat 5-2 in Hawke’s Bay.
With two rounds to go Havelock North can’t be caught and will play home and away against Capital Premier League winners Waterside Karori to decide who will be promoted to the Central League at the expense of relegated
Massey University
Marist.
Havelock North were helped in their game when Massey had to play nearly 70 minutes with 10 men after Ismael Mimbi was sent from the field in the 24th minute for receiving two yellow cards.
Mimbi was given his first yellow card for a reckless tackle, then those at the game were bemused at Mimbi’s second yellow, which was after he was pushed into another player and it appeared he was tackling him.
It was still 0-all at that stage and Massey battled the rest of the half out, but Havelock North scored right before halftime.
Havelock North then added two more goals to be up 3-0 before Massey came back, scoring through Taran Bublitz. Palmerston North
Havelock North scored again and Massey got their second goal when Bublitz set up Luke Breynton, but Havelock North made it 5-2 to seal the win.
Ben Ravenwood had an outstanding game in midfield for Massey with a big work rate and his creativity with the ball.
beat 2-0 at Ashhurst
Marist Reserves Thistle Wanganui New Rangers Red Sox-manawatu
bye.
Gisborne
Domain.
Midfielder Troye Aitken fired Marist to a 1-0 lead in the first half, then sealed the win in the second half with his second goal.
Mike Poff had a great game at right wing and Drew Gaskin was strong at the back.
Athletic Plymouth
thrashed 5-0 in Wanganui. had the