Fine season finale for Bay's men

The final round of fixtures in the senior men’s football league competition were played last Saturday afternoon.

Playing at home in a Masters Division clash, Golden Bay Stingrays were looking to break the hoodoo of a run of draws against Richmond Bogans.

And they went about it in the right way, playing with verve, determination and style from the first whistle. It didn’t take long for their game plan to produce results. Less than 10 minutes into the game, Stingray forward Sam Hopley was scythed down in the penalty area as he prepared to unleash a shot on goal following his mazy run. The referee pointed to the spot and Chris von Roy stepped up to coolly despatched the penalty leaving the Bogan’s keeper stranded.

Minutes later, the Stingrays thought they had doubled their lead but the goal was ruled out for offside and the score remained unchanged at half-time.

In the second half, the Stingrays really got into their stride and looked increasingly confident in possession – moving the ball swiftly and accurately to frustrate the opposition.

Anju Ejima was particularly enjoying himself at the heart of the Stingray’s midfield – breaking up play when necessary and turning creator for his attacking teammates. It was no surprise that he played provider for the next goal – a sumptuous cross which Luke Concannon headed into the back of the Bogans’ net.

Embarking on another of his mesmerising runs Hopley, once again proved too much of a handful for the visitors’ defence, drawing another penalty, which he neatly converted, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The Stingrays were now fully in control of the game and sought to capitalise on their superiority. Not content with just

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11 August. Friday Champs Session 7: K Van Der Struys/C Mead 59%; C Browning/J Massey 56%; E Bradshaw/D Perreau 56%. H/cap: C Browning/J Massey 58.25%; K Van Der Struys/C Mead 57%; E Bradshaw/D Perreau 56.75%. 13 Willow pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Ejima showed he could be a force up front when he latched onto a defencesplitting pass before slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.

Despite being battered by the Stingrays, the Bogans continue to toil, hoping that at least a consolation goal would be their reward. It was the home side, however, who created the best chances and were unlucky not to add to their tally, and would have done so but for a corner that bounced off the top of the crossbar, a von Roy header which shaved the upright, and a fierce, low strike from Concannon which ran just wide of the post.

Final score: GB Stingrays 4 vs Richmond Bogans 0.

Roli Muntwyler man of the match: Anju Ejima.

The win means the Stingrays finish their inaugural season in the Masters Division in fourth place.

Goats gutted at Guppy Park

Golden Bay Mountain Goats travelled hopefully to Guppy Park for their final match in this season’s league competition, but were denied the victory they needed to have a chance of snatching the Division 2 title from their close rivals FC Nelson Karenni.

Final score: FC Nelson Karenni 1 vs GB Mountain Goats 0. The Goats end what has been a highly successful season as Division 2 runners-up to FC Nelson Karenni.

Maidens savage Cougars

It’s that magic number seven again; this time it’s Golden Bay’s Shield Maidens who put seven goals past Mapua Cougars – even more impressive considering it was an away fixture.

Final score: Shield Maidens 7 vs Mapua Cougars 1.

The Maidens play their final home fixture – the penultimate round of the Women’s Premier Division – tomorrow at the Rec Park, kick-off at 1pm.