TEAM WELLINGTON 1 WAITAKERE UNITED 2
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 13th January, 2019
David Farrington Park, Wellington
Attendance : 160 or so
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| Justin Gulley making his 100th Team Wellington appearance Photo : PHOTOMAC |
It was a weekend for milestones. The Wellington Phoenix have gone eight games unbeaten, a new club record and thanks to celebrating that I managed to turn up 10 minutes late for this game, oh and if anyone finds a silk Phoenix scarf in Churchill's, McDonalds (as that's where my bank statement informed me I had dinner!) or on the Johnsonville train, there's a good chance it's mine!
Turning up late meant I missed the presentation to Justin Gulley in honour of his 100th game for Team Wellington, a great achievement especially as he is only 25.
Luckily there was no score when I turned up, although Team wellington almost did score just as I got in. In what was to become typical for the game, a Team Wellington shot was pushed on to the crossbar by Waitakere keeper, Nick Draper, this one then hit the post and Draper managed to change direction and throw himself on the ball to stop what would have been an easy tap in for Team Wellington.
Having not missed any goals I then managed to miss the first one! I was told Andrew Abba knocked it through to Sam Burfoot who put it in the net for Waitakere United. 10 minutes later Jake Mechell had made it 2-0, the rest of the half was pretty scrappy, with neither team dominating. Waitakere United were sticking to their game plan, while the Team Wellington players were starting to moan at each other, which in turn got the frustration levels on the bench up and they started to moan at the players doing the moaning.
It wasn't that Team Wellington didn't have their chances, they had several, but Nick Draper in the Waitakere goal was having an outstanding day and stopping everything fired at him.
It was 2-0 at half time, but this is a fixture known for goals and comebacks. The last 10 games between these teams had averaged five goals a game and it was just two seasons ago that Team Wellington fought back from 2-0 down to hammer Waitakere United 7-2, that was also the season that the clubs played the epic 6-6 draw in the semi final
Team Wellington came out looking a bit better in the second half but it wasn't to be, there day was probably best summed up when Angus Kilkooly did mange to beat Nick Draper only for the shot to hit the crossbar. They did eventually beat him, when Eric Molloy put the ball past him in the 94th minute but it was too little too late and Waitakere United ended there five game losing streak by inflicting Team Wellington's first home loss since October 2017
The Club World Cup has obviously been a significant part of Team Wellington's season, but they seem to be suffering a bit of a hangover since they returned and have yet to get back into their stride. Although you can't take anything away from Waitakere United, Chris Millich's team came with a plan and stuck to it and deserved the win
Turning up late meant I missed the presentation to Justin Gulley in honour of his 100th game for Team Wellington, a great achievement especially as he is only 25.
Luckily there was no score when I turned up, although Team wellington almost did score just as I got in. In what was to become typical for the game, a Team Wellington shot was pushed on to the crossbar by Waitakere keeper, Nick Draper, this one then hit the post and Draper managed to change direction and throw himself on the ball to stop what would have been an easy tap in for Team Wellington.
 |
| Nick Draper (WU) makes yet another great save Photo : TJF Photos |
Having not missed any goals I then managed to miss the first one! I was told Andrew Abba knocked it through to Sam Burfoot who put it in the net for Waitakere United. 10 minutes later Jake Mechell had made it 2-0, the rest of the half was pretty scrappy, with neither team dominating. Waitakere United were sticking to their game plan, while the Team Wellington players were starting to moan at each other, which in turn got the frustration levels on the bench up and they started to moan at the players doing the moaning.
It wasn't that Team Wellington didn't have their chances, they had several, but Nick Draper in the Waitakere goal was having an outstanding day and stopping everything fired at him.
It was 2-0 at half time, but this is a fixture known for goals and comebacks. The last 10 games between these teams had averaged five goals a game and it was just two seasons ago that Team Wellington fought back from 2-0 down to hammer Waitakere United 7-2, that was also the season that the clubs played the epic 6-6 draw in the semi final
Team Wellington came out looking a bit better in the second half but it wasn't to be, there day was probably best summed up when Angus Kilkooly did mange to beat Nick Draper only for the shot to hit the crossbar. They did eventually beat him, when Eric Molloy put the ball past him in the 94th minute but it was too little too late and Waitakere United ended there five game losing streak by inflicting Team Wellington's first home loss since October 2017
The Club World Cup has obviously been a significant part of Team Wellington's season, but they seem to be suffering a bit of a hangover since they returned and have yet to get back into their stride. Although you can't take anything away from Waitakere United, Chris Millich's team came with a plan and stuck to it and deserved the win
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK HERE
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| Team Wellington's Scott Basalaj gets up at a corner Photo TJF Photos |
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