NEWSLETTER
JULY 15 | ISSUE 9
WELCOME, WEEK IN REVIEW
FEATURES Match day reviews
Welcome to the ninth edition of Te Atatu AFC‘s newsletter for the season! With Juniors and Seniors both kicking off their seasons, it's great to see the club back in full swing after a tough 2020 and 2021. Here’s hoping for a complete and interrupted 2022 season!!
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JUL 15
2022| ISSUE 9
MEN'S FIRSTS TE ATATU 3:2 UNIMOUNT BOHS
A really competitive Unit-Mt Bohs, a heavy pitch, a howling gale and officials that got involved when it wasn't necessary and then ignored situations when they should have been decisive all combined to make this game a real battle. Uni-Mt Bohs were really up for the challenge with a number of changes from our cup victory last weekend. With the wind on our backs we started strongly but were undone when we lost the ball up high and were caught lacking numbers in defence. 1-0 down! Thankfully we continued to press and were rewarded when Matty scored the equalizer. Strong shouts for a penalty were ignored when Shaneel got an elbow in the back of the head from their defender! If that challenge happens anywhere else on the field it is a freekick. Interesting decision by the referee and disappointing that the linesman who had the best view didn't want to help out his mate in the middle. Are they linesman or referee's assistants??? We scored our second soon after with the best move of the game. Some incisive passes, a dummy, a chip/scoop from Marc, and then a volley from Matty that gets parried to Rhys for a tap-in. 2-1 up at halftime and we needed to prepare for playing into the strong breeze for the next 45mins. The second half was an entertaining battle, some strong challenges, some bad touches and some bizarre officiating. They scored a second from a very soft free kick. Some will say Liam, in goal, was impeded. Others, including me, would say Uni-Mt Bohs striker timed his jump perfectly and was rewarded for it. Two minutes later super sub Kyal gave us the lead as he ghosted in behind their defence slotted past their keeper. The last 15mins were a struggle as Uni-Mt pushed for an equalizer and we attempted to manage the game to its conclusion. An incorrect throw-in decision by the 'linesman' almost cost us but Liam came out and made a great save with his foot. Kyal scored another but was denied due to the intervention from the 'linesman' on the other side of the pitch! Pete Norris was everywhere in this game and was rewarded with man of the match. Not far behind was Rhys, a proven goal scorer but today put in some strong tackles and tracked back to defend on numerous occasions. A 3-2 win that sees us move into 3rd. A massive game away to Papatoetoe awaits us next weekend!
JUL 15
2022| ISSUE 9
MEN'S RESERVES
TE ATATU 4:2 UNI-MOUNT BOHS
After a first round loss against Unimount Bohs but Ressie lads were fired up to get a win against the top scorers in the league. A largely unchanged side started very strongly with Lome Funafuti coming close a number of times in the first 10 minutes, and mounted pressure on the Bohs keeper forcing him into some poor clearances. Although, it was Bohs who would striker first, who after some catastrophic defending , capitalised by striking a loose ball in the box, and finding the bottom corner. Te Atatu tried to get back into the game, with the wind playing a massive part of this game, and we came close with a throw from keeper Luke, finding all it's way to Brandan Tan in a 1 in 1 position, and if not for some brilliant defending would have been 1 all. Moments later Bohs doubled there lead with a brilliant solo goal from the striker, squeezing his way through Stu and Ethan, and placing the ball past to make it 2-0. A scary position our Ressie boys have found themselves in far too much this season. A massive push from captain Adam Bradley and some inspired substitutions saw momentum change drastically and our pressure paid off, as Austin trim whipped in a peach of a corner onto Mene's head, and Campbell Batt was there to finish into the top corner to give our boys a life line. Pressure continued in that sense and only moments later, Irish made a surging run and stopped the ball dead in his stride for the in form Russel to strike first time. And what a strike it was, from outside the area the ball rocketed off the crossbar and into the side netting 2 2 and with seconds left that's how the first half would conclude. Second half kick off and after some high pressure the ball found it's way to Mahdi Basiri who played a slick ball to Irish who made no mistake bashing the ball into the bottom corner after only a minute of game play. 3 2 and our boys have completed the turn around. Some desperate defending and great clearances from Luke, kept the score for much of the second half, with that gale force wind make proper football difficult to play. After trying to pass the ball out on numerous occasions BOHS became flustered and resorted to long balls and it was meat and gravy for our boys to regain some control of the game. Some great hustle and skill saw Adam receive the ball and skillfully half volley a through ball for Lome who made no mistake to give our boys a 4 2 lead and that's how the game would end. Another convincing display, although again conceding far to many, and too early. Onto Papatoetoe next week and let's hope our boys can improve and cement that first place position as their own
JUL 15
2022| ISSUE 9
WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP TE ATATU 0 : 3 CENTRAL
On Sunday our ladies first team travelled to the home of Central United. 2 points separated our teams on the ladder and with famous Kiwitea stadium looking pristine it was going to be a great match. COVID, injuries & illness put a spanner in the works, with coach Karl racing to pull a team together for Sunday. Huge ups to Wendy Caples & Shannen Hayes for stepping up to support our girls.
The ladies saw out an evenly matched first half, with attempts on both sides coming close. After re-gathering at half time they dug in for the second half, edged on by the amazing side-line supporters who turned up the volume to drown out Central! Michaela Bain had her first run up front and found her feet working well with Bronwyn Caples, putting pressure on the Central backline. Unfortunately Central turned it up and a few quick counter-attacks gave them 3 openings which they capitalised on. A few more chances came Te Atatu’s day and they were unlucky not to score a couple. Final whistle, 3-0 Central.
Player of the day went to Bronwyn Caples, who has been a key player in the attacking line and led from the front against Central. Huge shout outs to Wendy and Shannen for lacing up and making a huge impact off the bench and to our supporters including the parents and the 4th Div ladies who helped us push to the final whistle.
JUL 15
2022| ISSUE 9
WOMENS DIVISON 3
TE ATATU 11:1 HIBISCUS COAST
The third division ladies went into the first game of round 2 hoping for a solid showing against Hibiscus Coast, who we narrowly beat in our first game of the season. Playing a side that was light on numbers, we got on top of them quickly and put away several chances, going into halftime up 5-1. In the second half we managed to put away six more goals, winning the game 11-1, the highest scoreline the team has won by for many seasons. Huge respect to the Hibiscus Coast ladies, who never dropped their heads or got disheartened. And big thanks to Travis for helping us out, and to Jo for reffing. Goal scorers were: Jamye Jackson 4; Elo Amaral 3; Anna Lovegrove Perkins 3; Sheri Barker 1. Player of the day was Sarah Hendriks who was tireless in defence.
JUL 15
BB'S
DIVISION 6
2022| ISSUE 9
BB'S 0-1 NORTHEN ROVERS
The BBs were away to top of the table Northern Rovers Muff at the rug that is McFetridge Park Number 1. With the usual squad running a bit thin due to illness and trips back to the motherland, the BBs knew they were in for a tough game. From the onset there was plenty of cattiness as both teams tried to physically assert themselves into the game with the action going box-to-box. While Muff had the better chances, they were unable to penetrate the BBs defence with the scores staying nil all at the half. Going into the howling breeze in the second half the BBs expected the Muff high ball strategy to cause more hairy situations than it did. That was until a free kick gone awry set Muff through on the counterattack a well-taken goal against the run of play. The BBs tried to change tact with Ben moving out wide providing some delightful pass and move football. While there was some gorgeous passing, the play in the final third was a bit limp meaning the BBs were unable to show off their finishing in the box which has been a focal point of trainings this year as the game petered out to a disappointing loss. The BBs will look to get back on track as they make their Neil Ave season debut this weekend against Puhoi. MotM: Jack – With Mark, Campbell, and Lewis all out for one reason or another Jack of all Trades had to step up again and slot into CDM. Jack’s versatility really shone here as his skills in both attack and defense as well as his neverending ability to run kept the BBs in the game against a tough opposition.
JUL 15
STALLIONS
DIVISION 9
2022| ISSUE 9
STALLIONS 3:0 UNI-MOUNT BOHS The Stallions travelled back South again to take on Uni-Mount Bohemians. Eager to get back on track and with a nearly fully fit squad, we felt we were in with a fighting chance this week. 10 minutes into the game, it became very evident that the Stallions were going to get something from this game – we dominated the ball and just about every Stallions player had a crack at goal. We finally got our just desserts when Danny’s 1 on 1 was pushed behind by the keeper – the resulting corner, pathetically whimpered in by Jared, managed to evade everyone in the box and fall to Shaun on the edge of the area who swivelled and smashed our opening goal in off the crossbar. 1-0 at HT. The second half was a true showcase of what the Stallions can do with a fully fit squad and a significantly lower number of hangovers to previous weeks. We absolutely dominated our opposition. So much so that Chris Horsley in goal only had 4 touches of the ball in the second half. Adam and Tobi provided stability in midfield which allowed our attacking players to play with freedom. Shaun was subbed off with 25 minutes to play – knowing if he had have been more selfish, he could have easily had a hat-trick at this point. Words of encouragement from the side-line resulted in Shaun taking up a more attacking role and this paid off. Shaun’s shot/chip/scuffed effort beat the keeper, doubling our lead, and sealing a brace for the inform Shaun. The result was absolutely put to bed with Ben pounced on an attacking move and slotted home a brilliant team goal that capped a truly one sided team display and secured a 3-0 win for the good guys. Our opposition lost their heads, we got a deserved 3 points, Kieran departed the Stallions with a win, a MOTM performance for an Akinfenwa esque display of hold up play and a mudshake beer bong that he will never forget. DOTD went to Shaun for kicking the ball out of play and half way to Hamilton
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JUL 15
OVER 35s Div 3
2022| ISSUE 9
WESTERLIES
WESTERLIES 7:0 ALBANY UNITED
The Westerlies took on bottom of the table Albany Catimba Old Stars last week knowing that a win would take us to the top of the table (even though we have played one more game than the 2nd and 3rd place teams). Struggling to get a squad together, Sammy confirmed at the 11th hour he could play and we were blessed by a guest appearance by Tony Nemaia which gave us 3 subs and opportunities for the old boys to get a rest. Albany were also struggling for a full squad and roped in a 20 year old to start up front who was a constant thorn in our side. Albany had a front 4 that were dangerous on attack, but Ollie, Drew and Amir ran a tight ship which let our outside backs counter attack and the pressure showed with us leading 3-0 at halftime through Pikey (2) and Welshy. The second half was a lot more open and we banged in another 4 with Pikey competing his hat-trick, rounded off with Bevan and Aalbers getting one each, and Phil getting his first for the season and getting off the undie run. Highlights of the game were: ·The sheer amount of missed chances (including by Ollie who made a rare appearance in the opposition half). ·Tony's absolutely superb performance in his first game of the year, starting at left midfield then movng into the centre.... although he might have got on the scoresheet but decided to air ball it instead. ·Aalbers being pinged 3 or 4 times for handball instead of letting it go out for a throw in, but he also saved us an extra km or 2 of running after the ball. ·Sammy slamming the ball into Drew and sending him for an HIA. ·Mike O’Sullivan turning up with 20 minutes to go and masterminding a great win. ·Bevan sending in the perfect cross for Pikey with his attempted shot, Aalbers scoring with a perfect shot that was an attempted cross. The lads have a bye this week that’s perfect timing with the school holidays going on before we kick into round 2.