Te Awamutu AFC pressure defending champs Unicol
Away draw a satisfying result as skipper Brett proves his worth
The Waipa Aluminium Te Awamutu AFC squad backed by Diana Manutai Real Estate played their second games of the Southern League on Saturday at the University of Waikato.
The under-23 team appeared to play some good football at times, but not enough to contain the Unicol attack.
It was another day where this newly formed group took account of the success in the game, not the result, with Unicol Under 23 winning 9-0.
In their match, the first team looked to put some pressure on last year’s league winners.
Dylan Brett got the message loud and clear, slotting a goal in after two minutes. The fumble by the Unicol keeper was drilled into the back of the net.
Unicol’s Kjay Morehu replied with a goal five minutes later.
The Te Awamutu boys were quick to play ball in parts, with the Unicol tactics of drawing in attackers and then getting Sebastian Saltias to run down the wing having limited success due to the tenacity of the visitors’ Nicolas KingMcRae and Lale Stapleford.
Brett was everywhere, and with a nod to his pre-season work and hunger it was clear why he had the captain’s armband on.
Unicol had their moments too and Morehu gave them the 2-1 lead going into halftime.
With a minute left on the clock, Brett was chopped down outside the box by Jose Gonzales, presenting a free kick to Te Awamutu.
In the last play of the game, Brett stepped up and kicked it over the Unicol wall, into the former Te Awamutu goalie Ollie Giles’ hands and as he spilled it, Stapleford knocked the ball into the back of the net.
The game finished 2-2 with a point away from home for the Te Awamutu first team.
Over 35
The 2023 plate-winning Storyteller Eatery & Bar Te
Awamutu AFC Over 35s had their first game, taking on Ngāruawāhia at Anchor Park on Saturday.
The two sides put in stellar performances the previous year and it was not going to be an easy game.
Going into halftime, Te Awamutu were 1-0 up after a Jono Sullivan goal.
Liam Foster grabbed the matchwinner for Te Awamutu as they finished with a 2-1 victory.
Mike Rose was awarded MVP of the day.
Division Three Women
The newly formed Te Awamutu AFC Division Three women’s team had their first game of the season on Sunday at the Te Awamutu Stadium against Taupō AFC Women’s Social team.
Repping the Edmonds Judds Kit backed by Caci Clinic Te Awamutu, for some it was their first taste of the beautiful game.
Taupō opened the scoring against the run of play and took a 2-0 lead soon afterwards, but this was soon changed by Breanna Adam with a great strike from range.
Caitie Edwards then levelled the scoring with an effort from way out.
Taupō capitalised on an injury break to fire home the winner, 3-2.
The Te Awamutu player of the day was Layla Rixon for pushing forward and drawing defenders away.
Edmonds Judd Women
The Edmonds Judd Te Awamutu AFC Division One ladies took to the field in the ASB -
Lachie Cotton kit in Huntly against Huntly Thistle AFC on Sunday.
The home side scored first and Te Awamutu’s Helena Gail-Mckenzie replied but was denied by an offside call.
A Dani Miles free kick levelled the scores going into halftime.
The Te Awamutu ladies were calm and collected as they continued their style of play.
The Te Awamutu squad continued to work hard after the game appeared to slip away with Huntly taking a 3-1 lead, and it was game on when Miles slotted her second.
It wasn’t to be for Te Awamutu but they took a lot away from a game which offered the first real opportunity to look at the potential and depth in the squad.
They look forward to their first home game of the season at home on Sunday against Melville.
Women’s football at Te Awamutu AFC is going from strength to strength.
Division Two
J & J Construction and Fencing Te Awamutu AFC Division Two men’s team played their first match, after moving up from Division Four, against Waihi AFC at Te Awamutu Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams contested and created opportunities at goal, yet all were saved by the keepers.
It wasn’t until 30 minutes in that Waihi made a breakthrough and secured two quick goals to take the lead.
Te Awamutu needed to push back. Cody Jones made a run down the left field and slipped a pass through to
Reuben O’Keeffe, who promptly kicked the ball into the bottom-left of the net.
However, Waihi scored again through a corner kick, finishing the first half up 3-1.
Waihi were swift off the kick-off and scored another goal five minutes into the second half.
Te Awamutu held on strongly and managed to save a shot, but Waihi didn’t let up and scored again.
At 5-1 to Waihi, Te Awamutu’s Jamie Bell took a Hail Mary shot, getting it over the Waihi keeper and into the goal.
Te Awamutu played their hardest to stay in the game, but Waihi slipped in three additional goals to finish 8-2.
The player of the day for Te Awamutu went to Ben Monkely with his excellent defending and pressure along the backline.