Melville Magic 06 E-Newsletter

MELVILLE MAGIC

14 MAY 2022

2022 | 06

If you're heading to the matches this weekend make sure you visit Raymond and the team at L.K Coffee Hub Kahikatea right across from Gower Park and order eggs on toast and receive a hot drink for FREE!

Proud Supporters of Melville United AFC Front Cover: Libby McMillan made her debut against Otumoetai FC PHOTO: Mishaal

Chairman's Welcome It’s a special occasion for Melville United today, as we host a northern premier league match and a women’s Kate Sheppard Cup match on the same day, as well as our regular Saturday fixtures.

So please be patient if facilities or services are more stretched than usual.

We welcome Onehunga Sports for what is the first meeting between the clubs in women’s football.

Melville have yet to build any heritage of note in the Kate Sheppard Cup, bowing out at either the first or second hurdle.

Our club first entered the knockout competition (previously called the National Women’s Knockout Cup until 2018) in 2002, when we lost 3-2 to Claudelands Rovers.

Our first victory in the cup came in 2004 when we beat Whakatane Girls High 2-0 away.

Our first home victory did not come until 2005 when we beat Hamilton North (now Northern United) 2-0.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side of things, it has been encouraging to see the lads on a three-game winning streak ahead of today’s match against Eastern Suburbs in the pleasant position of being third on the table.

Suburbs lost 2-1 to Western Springs last week, but their standing in 10th position in the league is possibly drawing a false picture, given that they have been without a number of senior players in recent weeks.

While our No 1 pitch continues to be in good condition, the same cannot be said for most of our other pitches. A dearth of autumn rain means our back pitches are still largely grassless. Gower No 2 pitch is still closed.

In the interim, a number of youth and lower grade matches have been played at Korikori Park, the home ground of Northern United, a club with whom we have a Memorandum of Understanding.

Batesy

Sam Says Third home game in a row and I’ve run out of clever opening lines.

I was obviously delighted with last weekend's performance and result. I thought it was a really complete performance, we had some great moments with the ball, counter-attacked well, and dug in to defend resolutely when needed.

It was also another example of great “team” effort, we are at our best when everyone is contributing equally, and this will need to continue if we are to be successful this season.

We have seen a number of players step up over the last two to three weeks and it has left us with some real selection headaches. While it is always tough leaving lads out of the starting line-up when they are working so hard, as the cliché goes...it’s a good problem to have.

Sometimes football takes a backseat to more important matters, this week is a case of that with our physio – Jimmy “The Hedge” making his amateur boxing debut this Saturday. The lads are all buzzing to watch Jimmy destroy some unsuspecting local chump...we’re right behind you Jimmy and hopefully, we can deliver three points in the curtain-raiser to build some momentum for you.

On a serious note, I would like to wish Shane Knowles a speedy recovery after his recent health scare. Knowlesy has been a massive support to me personally and to the club in general since he moved into the region. Thankfully Shane is back home recovering now, we cant wait until he’s back down at the club.

Welcome to today’s guests Eastern Suburbs. Suburbs are always a quality side and have given us some really tough tests over the last couple of seasons. They are clearly in a false position in the table at present and we will be expecting a typically challenging match.

Enjoy the game and hopefully we can keep our good run going.

Sam

1. Max TOMMY (GK) 2. Braeden QUILTER-PHIPPS 3. Aaron SCOTT (c) 4. Luke SEARLE 5. Campbell BROWN 6. Logan WISNEWSKI 7. Harry CHRISTENSEN-ROSE 8. Liam HAYES 9. Ryen LAWRENCE 10. Jerson LAGOS 11. Quinton KIPARA 12. Oliver COLLOTY 13. Leslie KIVOLYN 14. Sean LEADLEY 15. Stafford DOWLING 16. Aston HURD 17. Josh GALLETLY 18. John OAKMAN 19. Raheem HUNTER 20. Conor JAMIESON (GK) 21. Sean LIDDICOAT 22. Lemuel LE HANE 23. Dylan WILLIAMS 24. Ethan RICHARDS

1. Joseph KNOWLES (GK) 2. Noah TOMLINSON 3. Tyler LISSETTE 4. Aoi HAMAO 5.

6. Jaiden VAN DER HEIJDEN 7. Michael BUILT 8.

9.

10. Rhys DAVIES 11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16. John VAN-AS 17. Blake INDER 23. Addison STEWART 25. Emmett CONNOLLY (GK) 26. Kristoff MULLER 28. Finn CAUGHEY 30. Aaryan RAJ 31. Jackson JARVIE 36. Ralph RUTHERFORD

Coach: Sam WILKINSON Assistant Coach: Harry TRETHOWAN Operations: Seamus MARTEN Physio: James YOUNG Manager: Steve BETTIS Assistant Manager: Danny MILNER

Coach: Hoani EDWARDS Assistant Coach: Zachary HAYDON Physio: Hamish DONNISON Manager: Dani BRIGGS Trainer: Sunz SINGH

Referee: Andy HOLDSWORTH | AR1: Tom DAY | AR2: Mark FLEMING

2022 Men's First Team Squad

Player sponsorships still available Contact: info@melvilleunited.co.nz

2022 Men's First Team Squad

Player sponsorships still available Contact: info@melvilleunited.co.nz

Melville on the rise Super Melville surged to third on the northern premier league table after a fine 2-0 home win against last year’s runners-up, Auckland United.

It was Melville’s third successive win and The Unicorns did it without experienced defenders Aaron Scott (rib injury) and Sean Liddicoat (hamstring), while also losing Logan Wisnewski (hamstring) to injury after just 30 minutes.

“Champagne football,” tweeted Social Media Guy at the final whistle, but coach Sam Wilkinson urged everybody not to get carried away.

“Even when we were disjointed and all over the place in pre-season I thought that when we got our best team on the pitch we would be hard to beat,” Wilkinson said.

“As it happens we are still struggling to get our best team out, but we are showing a lot of pluck, grit, and resilience and the young players have started to step up.

“However we are the sort of battling team that cannot afford to get carried away or we will quickly come unstuck.”

After a scoreless first half, Stafford Dowling showed his ability with a 62nd minute strike that is already being nominated for Goal of the Year. Dowling received a nice ball from Quinton Kipara, outlegged his marker, cut in from the left flank, and swerved a right-foot shot in the top corner.

“It was a fantastic goal at any level,” Wilkinson said. “Deserving of winning any match.”

Substitute Ryen Lawrence then sealed the win with an 83rd minute penalty, which was also his first northern premier league goal.

As with a week earlier, Jerson Lagos earned the spot kick after driving into the box and drawing a foul. With Oliver Colloty subbed off, Wilkinson made the bold call that Lawrence – who had not previously scored at premier league level – should take the kick.

“I recalled how a few years back at Napier Tournament Ryen having to take two penalties at clutch moments and being quite laid back about it.”

With Liddicoat and Scott out, Braedan Quilter-Phipps made his first start of the campaign, with skipper Luke Searle and Raheem Hunter either side of him in a back three, and was duly named player of the day.

“Braedan has had to wait for his chance after five appearances as a substitute, and he had big shoes to fill with Azza being out, but he did well."

Liam Hayes celebrated his 100th major appearance for Melville by again not getting booked and after the game a presentation was made to him.

U-23s miss chance to go top Melville United U-23s are one point off the lead in their league after a 2-2 home draw with fourth-placed Auckland United. Melville had to twice come from behind to earn a point, with goals from Aston Hurd and sub Jakob England.

Academy round up Another tough weekend in the NRFL Youth League away at Western Springs. The 13s scored another big win and the 12s faced off midweek under lights.

WaiBOP Y-League | Round 02 Lakes FC U13 0-8 Melville United U13 LOTTO NRFL U14 Mixed | Round 04 Western Springs U14 4-1 Melville United U14 LOTTO NRFL U15 Mixed | Round 04 Western Springs U15 6-2 Melville United U15 LOTTO NRFL U17 Mixed | Round 04 Western Springs U17 3-1 Melville United U17 Waikato Regional 12th Grade | Round 01 Melville United U12 Green 1-7 Melville United U12 Red Waikato Regional 12th Grade | Round 02 Cambridge U12 v Melville United U12 Green John Kerkhof Park | Cambridge | 10.00am Melville United U12 Red v Hamilton Wanderers U12 Gower Park | 10.00am WaiBOP Y-League | Round 03 Melville United U13 v Tauranga Blue Rovers U13 Gower Park | 10.00am LOTTO NRFL U14 Mixed | Round 05 Melville United U14 v Auckland City FC U14 Korikori Park | 11.30am LOTTO NRFL U15 Mixed | Round 05 Melville United U15 v Auckland City U15 Korikori Park | 1.30pm LOTTO NRFL U17 Mixed | Round 05 Melville United U17 v Auckland City U17 Korikori Park | 3.00pm

Feds back to winning ways

Supported by The Melville Feds traveled to face bottom of the table Tauranga Old Blues last weekend.

Unsure what to expect from a team without a point over the first four games of the season. It came as a surprise when the opposition fielded a full team of foreign players who were able to move the ball around nicely.

The Feds started slowly and found themselves behind when Old Blues capitalized to find the back of the net in the 11th minute from a flick on header.

After conceding early, the Feds managed to dominate the remainder of the first half with some strong spells of football. After a series of chances on goal, it was in the 38’th minute that the equalizer came. A minute later it was two as Melville went into the break 2-1 up.

The second half started off much the same, with Melville dominating the ball inside the Old Blues half. The Feds were unlucky to capitalize on multiple chances in the second half and took their foot off the gas as players fatigued, and multiple subs were made due to injuries and fitness.

The closing minutes of the game saw the Old Blues push on for multiple attempts on goal, including a bullet of a shot off a free-kick and a one-on-one save 'keeper Eddy Prestige-King was forced to make.

The Feds managed to hold on to the 2-1 lead which leaves them in mid-table prior to a bye for Chatham Cup this weekend.

Waikato wrap First Team assistant coach and Academy Manager Harry Trethowan netted the only goal under lights on a barren pitch #7 on Friday night to get the Nobs back to winning ways.

Elsewhere in Division 1 the Mighty A's fell to the Wallys of Claudelands Rovers, but the Corinthians won away in Te Awamutu. And the Bs were defeated by the Claudelands Rovers Vets.

Waikato Men's Division 1 | Round 03 Melville United Nobs 1-0 Northern United U23 Melville United Mighty A's 1-2 Claudelands Rovers Wallys Te Awamutu Reserves 2-3 Melville United Corinthians Waikato Men's Division 2 | Round 03 Melville United B 0-3 Claudelands Rovers Vets An all-Melville derby headlines Waikato Division action this weekend with the Mighty A's taking on the Nobs. Corinthians are away at West Hamilton.

The Bs make the tough trip to Eastern City while the Old Boys are back in action after a weekend off due to Covid against Cambridge.

Fixtures | Saturday, 14 May Waikato Men's Division 1 | Round 04 West Hamilton Reserves v Melville United Corinthians Weka Street | 12.30pm Melville United Mighty A's v Melville United Nobs Gower Park | 1.30pm Waikato Men's Division 2 | Round 04 Eastern City v Melville United B Hillcrest Park | 12.30pm Waikatro Men's Over 35s | Round 04 Melville Old Boys v Cambridge The Statesmen Gower Park | 12.30pm

Up for the cup We are looking forward to the opportunity to play in the Kate Shepherd Cup. We have managed to build some good combinations over the last couple of weeks. We have to continue to fight hard and show up for each other and if we do that, then we are good enough on the ball to give ourselves a chance.

Every week we continue to improve and our willingness to learn has kept morale high and so we are excited about getting up and going again.

For most of this squad, it will be their first Kate Shepherd Cup game but we welcome back to this level a couple of older players who return after a few years away from the sport. No doubt their experience of knockout football will provide a boost in confidence and game management. This coupled with our youth and enthusiasm, means I expect to really compete.

We have demonstrated the ability to play through teams and now we have to be a little bit more clinical in front of goal. We have to start believing that we are good enough to play at this and be a little bit more ruthless and relentless in our efforts.

Fixtures | Sunday, 15 May Waikato Women's Division 1 | Round 04 Melville United Reserves v Northern United Women's A Gower Park | 11.00am Waikato Women's Division 2 | Round 04 Melville United Epics v Morrinsville Ladies Gower Park | 11.00am Fixtures | Saturday, 14 May WaiBOP U13 Girls Y-League | Round 02 Melville United U13 Girls v Tauranga City U13 Girls Gower Park | 10.00am Lotto NRFL U14 Girls | Round 05 Northern Rovers U14 Girls v Melville United U14 Girls McFetridge Park | Auckland | 11.00am LOTTO NRFL U16 Girls | Round 05 Melville United U16 Girls v Northern Rovers U16 Girls Korikori Park | 12.00pm

1. Kelly AITKEN (GK) 2. Michaela CLARK 3. Tyla TAPP 4. Stella-Rose BAHR 5. Hayley BENNETT 6. Manaia ELLIOTT 7. Johnelle WERETA 8. Libby MCMILLAN 9. Alix GALLETLY 10. Holly QUIN 11. Rylee MARDON 12. Marie O'NEILL 13. Victoria GORTER 14. Zeelia SEIFERT 15. Stevie-Lee TILLER 19. Katie WOODHATCH Coach: Tarena RANUI Assistant Coach: Jet LIM

1. Chelsea COSSAR (GK) 3. Nic SCARBOROUGH 4. Jess CADENHEAD 6. Hannah CARTER (c) 7. Jayna BENNETT 8. Tess BLAKEBOROUGH 10. Alice HANSEN 13. Lauren TAYLOR 16. Kate INWOOD 17. Claire ALDERTON 18. Melanie DRUMM 19. Simone BOONELAMP 21. Sivitha BOYCE 23. Pip MEO Coach: Geoff BROGAN

If you're looking for a bit of support for your football this season Fastlane Fitness is offering a combo full membership for Melville United members: > $20 per week > No minimum term > Access to the gym, pool, and all group classes > Free 6 weekly assessments and programmes with a qualified PT > Two hours free car parking > Loyalty at FeedZone cafe If you are interested send us an email and we can put you in contact with the team at Fastlane Fitness to get you signed up: info@melvilleunited.co.nz

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