BNU vs. Island Bay, Saturday 19th July 2014 3.30pm, Wakefield #2 This week we welcomed Island Bay United to Wakefield Park #2. This was a crucial fixture, not only in our league campaign but also gave us the opportunity to earn the Presidents Cup for the 1st time. We knew Island Bay would come at us from the outset as they currently sit in 4th position, realistically with no chance of winning the league. This was their cup final. We had prepared well and were focused on our performance as we went in search of the 3 points. We were playing into a stiff, swirly breeze for the 1st half, making it difficult to judge any ball that was played in the air. The game started at a reasonable pace as both sides showed an appetite to shift the ball at speed. It was Island Bay who scored first in the 8th minute. Island Bay had worked the ball nicely to create an opportunity at the top of the box. We didnt shut the player down quickly enough and he made no mistake with his finish. 1-nil Island Bay. All year we have spoken about the need to remain composed when things dont always go our way. We executed this to perfection today as the lads stuck to their footballing principles, believing they would find a way back into this match. We were the stronger of the two sides, particularly in the 30 minutes prior to half time. We created several opportunities and half chances that we couldnt quite capitalize on. As the half time whistle blew, we may have still been 1-nil behind on the scoreboard, but we all knew we were in control of the fixture. The message at the break was more of the same please as we looked to keep possession for longer periods and increase the ball speed to another level. With Island Bay playing 3 at the back, and now faced with the wind, we knew it would be hard for them to play out from the back and implemented a high pressing game for the 2nd half. We came out firing right from the 2nd half whistle winning every ball and finding spaces that Island Bay were struggling to plug. We got our reward in the 51st minute as Island Bay failed to clear their lines leaving Paul Clune, who was enjoying a fine game, to nod home at the far post. 1-1. Island Bay werent going to lie down and still created plenty of opportunities of their own. They missed several clear chances when it seemed easier to score than to miss. We heeded those warning signs and bought on fresh legs in the form of Tom McCann and Ben Purser. With the game in the balance, you sensed something special could happen. That something special arrived in the 75th minute as McCann found Ben Keat just outside the area. Keat, with his back to goal, swiveled and turned to create some space on his left foot as he unleashed a left footed drive into the top left hand corner of the goal. The goal was worthy of a much bigger stage and the entire teams celebration showed just want it meant, both in the context of our season and this fixture. 2-1 BNU. Island Bay, of course, were never going to throw in the towel and they made attacking changes of their own. We altered our system bringing on Euan Christie for the tiring Ali Luke and shifting the impressive Blake Weston into the middle of the park. Island Bay could have and should have drawn even on the stroke of full-time as they struck the post and the rebound was blazed over the bar from 6 yards out. It just wasnt their day. To rub salt in the wound, we went down the other end in the 92nd minute and found Aaron Langlands one on one with the keeper. Langlands lifting the ball over the on-rushing keeper and into an empty net. 3-1 BNU. Cue rapturous celebrations. As the full-time whistle sounded, Island Bay could only congratulate us as deserving winners, as we retreated to the dressing room to mark our victory with a wonderful chorus of Sweet Molly Malone. We had achieved our most important goal, 3 competition points, with the added reward of the Presidents Cup. Winners 5-1 on aggregate over the 2 fixtures. Strong performances from left back Ali Luke, the continually improving Blake Weston and Man of the Match Paul Clune, who enjoyed his best performance of the season, being involved in everything good we did. While we rightfully celebrated todays events, we must remain focused as we prepare to face 3rd place North Wellington next Sunday at Te Whaea. With Kapiti dropping points with their 1 all draw with Marist, the league could not be any tighter, with both teams level on points and goal difference. With 5 games remaining its all still to play for. We must remain committed to the goals we set ourselves back in January. Congratulations to the Reserves who continued their unbeaten season with a 6-1 victory over Naenae. Special thanks to all those who supported us both during the game and in our clubrooms afterwards. It was a wonderful atmosphere after the game with wide smiles on all BNU faces. Look forward to seeing you all around the club and hopefully at Te Whaea next Sunday, 1.15pm kick off. Cheers Dene
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 07:06:00 +0000
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