Setback for Timaru Boys’
Head over the ball, aim low and lean forward when you’re striking it.
It will be the key work-on for the Timaru Boys’ High School first XI following their clash with Wakatipu High School.
Timaru Boys’ School’s chances of qualifying for the national secondary school top-tier football tournament have become a whole lot harder, after losing 5-3 to a hungrier Wakatipu side.
Shooting woes cost Boys’ High, who on numerous occasions, had chances to put the ball in the goal.
Timaru Boys’ High School swapped to the Southern section last season to improve their chances of qualification and managed to secure a wildcard spot to the national tournament in Tauranga.
Cam Gibb, who coaches Timaru Boys, said they just let Wakatipu have too much space.
‘‘Their number 10 [Matt Cordelle] was absolutely outstanding up front as was their young Year 9 and they made it incredibly difficult for us in the first half.’’
Gibb said they struggled to compete on the ball.
‘‘We gave them far too much room and allowed them to run, that made it hard for ourselves.’’
He credited the side for superb second half.
‘‘After a long talk we turned it round it at halftime and for large periods of the half we dominated the play and took it to them.
‘‘If we had converted a couple of the chances that we created then it could have been a different story.’’
Gibb said it was a tough way to start the qualifying process.
‘‘To turn around down 4-2 at halftime and keep them scoreless, other than an own goal, was a top effort by the guys.’’
Wakatipu were well drilled and punished any chances given to them. They opened the scoring in impressive style with Cordelle beating a number of players to open the scoring. a
Cordelle is also off to the SuperCup with Timaru Boys’ pair Cam Anderson and Mitchell Skudder-Dey,
Timaru Boys’ High replied through a penalty to their scoring machine Anderson, after he was taken down in the box.
Cordelle made it 2-1 with another sharp finish to beat goalkeeper Skudder-Dey.
Harrison McLean then made it 3-1 after a Boys’ High defensive lapse, before and own goal had Wakatipu in a commanding position at 4-1.
Timaru Boys’ with some superb passing scored arguably their goal off the season, as Anderson bagged his second.
Wakatipu bagged another own goal early in the second half before a Ben Sewell goal gave Timaru Boys’ a glimmer of hope.
Cordelle, McLean who was the smallest on the park, and Hayato Yoneto were outstanding, while Anderson, Angus Munro and Tyler Cunningham were Boys’ High’s best in a losing cause.