Te Puke bruised in tough encounter
Team shifts focus to Waikato Cup game
OFOOTBALL
n Sunday, the Te Puke ladies had an early game at Gordon Spratt against the Papamoa Legends — we knew it would be a tough game, and were hoping to keep our long run of wins going.
But it was a game the Black and Whites never really got into — it didn’t start well, and with the team not playing their normal flowing football, we were down 3-0 at halftime.
The second half started off like the first, with Te Puke seeming to stand back and wait for the ball instead of playing in the positive manner we are used to, and Papamoa were able to score two more. So, final score 5-0, and a disappointing day overall.
Annan Pineapple Bar’s Player of the Day award went to centre back
Talia Hope. This week, we hope everyone is at training, the weather stays fine and sickness stays away, as we have a big game on Sunday at home at Litt Park in the Waikato Cup, in which we made it to the semifinals last year before it was cancelled. This year, the first game is against Taupo¯ , who won the Waikato division convincingly, so we will need to be on form. Kick-off is at 11am — see you there.
Over 30s: Te Puke Classics lost 6-1 to Tauranga City Relics on Sunday.
On Sunday last week, the Te Puke United Ladies team hosted Papamoa Icons FC and the team wanted to make sure we played a lot better than when we played them earlier in the season.
For the Black and Whites, although dominant, that final pass was not coming off. Then in the seventh minute centre back Toni Johnson got the ball and put it right through for captain Sammi Parish to get just before the keeper and nudge it past her.
Ten minutes later Maia Moko put a ball out wide for winger Rosa Atkins who drove towards the 18-yard box and had a powerful low and hard shot, and the keeper could not stop it — 2-nil.
The momentum continued and Te Puke were playing well and moving the ball around from one side to the other and it was lovely to watch; then in the 31st minute Chynna Davie got hold of the ball and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper into the back of the net.
Twelve minutes later Davie was at it again after Parish slipped another wonderful ball through. Halftime 5-nil.
The second half started off like the first, taking charge of the game, but a change in keeper made the ladies’ job a bit tougher but still dominant. Then in the 60th minute Davie got the ball jinked in and around a couple of players and fired the ball into the top far corner of the net for her fourth of the game.
The Black and Whites were still trying to get more and had plenty of opportunities, especially from the wonderful corners that other centre back Sarah Earle was delivering and which Te Puke just could not get on target. Fulltime 6-nil.
Maia Moko and Sarah Earle had great games, but Anann pineapple bar player of the day went to Chynna Davie for her great finishing in front of goal. — Supplied content