TA deserved better in Chatham Cup

The Te Awamutu AFC Team Townsend Tall Poppy Real Estate Premiership football side hosted Metro from Auckland last weekend in the Chatham Cup, going down 1-0.

Some of the premiership squad's members were back in action which added a boost to the squad. The others will be back in the coming weeks.

The game started completely in favour of Te Awamutu who after 10 minutes had multiple opportunities and failed to finish.

A dubious handball call gave Metro a penalty kick which they converted for the first and only goal in the game.

It was a shame that was how the game was decided perhaps taking away from what was actually a really good game.

Coach Ian Stringfellow toldall the boys involved t they should be extremely proud they had spent the afternoon not just contending with a team several leagues higher, but dominating.

The boys move to a crucial away game against Hamilton Wanderers at a point in the season when away and home points are vital.

The Team Townsend Tall Poppy Real Estate Reserves have been on the back end of two weekends where several of them have beencalled up for first team duties, leaving a skeleton crew to take on well drilled teams — this was evident in the weekend's draw.

The reserves struggled to carry on the good work they had been doing on the training paddock.

They move forward with the aim of building the squad and their confidence.

The Storyteller Eatery and Bar Over 35s had their fantastic start to the season slowed by the visiting Claudelands team.

The game was summed up by the away coach who said they came here needing to do everything they could to stop the Storytellers, and that they did.

There was a real battle for the ball, possession and to be on top of the game.

It was a game where they were able to put their chances away and TA weren't.

Ronald Rao was able to take away one positive from the game as his 30 yard belter into the top left corner was the first Te Awamutu goal scored in the new nets.

Te Awamutu J&J Construction and Fencing side hosted second place Unicol Gold at Anchor Park in the early game for the day. Both teams went into the match with unbeaten records after three rounds.

Unicol prevailed in this encounter, eventually winning 2-0 over their hosts. In a nervous cut and thrust first half, the teams turned at halftime with the score locked at 0-0.

Sammy Dixon was in goal, in his first start for senior football, and made several fine saves. Late in the second half Unicol scored their first of two goals.

Try as they might, the home team couldn't crack the Unicol defence as Jamie Bell, Ashley Kipara, Cody Jones and Scott Surtees had shots on goal saved or narrowly miss the target.

Player of the day Taylor Morris played well in midfield and defence.

Next week the team take on league leaders O¯ torohanga.

The women's team had a rest, however they are looking to get back into their season this week after a fantastic team builder for the ones who could make it.