NEWSLETTER
JULY 8 | ISSUE 8
WELCOME, WEEK IN REVIEW
FEATURES Match day reviews
Welcome to the eighth 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 6
2022| ISSUE 8
MEN'S FIRSTS TE ATATU 4:1 UNIMOUNT A Cup match against Uni-Mt Bohs was an opportunity to put all our words into actions! Mid-week we questioned each other's desire and commitment moving forward. We all need to display more 'graft' and do the hard yards when not in possession if we are to be successful this season. Due to injuries an illness we were forced into making a number of changes and a few others had to roll up their sleeves and tough it out for the team. The performance was exactly what was asked for by the coaching staff. We were direct when we needed to be and this caused huge problems for the Uni-Mt defence. Matty was a constant menace to their backline and this gave Rhys and Kyal space to do what they do best. Both scoring goals and Rhys with a Hattrick! At the back Captain Porter was all class as he ran the show and snuffed out any attacking threats. We go again next week against the same team but this time league points are up for grabs!
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JUL 6
2022| ISSUE 8
MEN'S RESERVES
TE ATATU 2:0 BUCKLANDS BEACH
A warm Saturday arvo so division 6 side Bucklands Beach welcomed our Ressie boys to Rogers park in the final 16 of the cup. A strong starting line up saw Russel start his first game of the season after two superb goals against central the week prior. Early exchanges saw both teams feel each other out but it was Te Atatu, desperate to start strong, who drew first blood. After some slick work down the right, Brandan tan put in a peach of a cross which evaded all heads of the Bucklands defence and sat up kindly for Russel who took one touch before unleashing a half volley from just inside the area, which nestled kindly into the top corner. Exactly what our lads wanted. Possession was very much in favor of our boys, limiting Bucklands to backwards and wayward passes. once again our pressure paid off as a quick throw in from the left saw Hummels scramble around the box to deliver what seemed a dead ball, before El Capitan Adam Bradley nicked from the keepers graft and squared it across the box for Brandan to tap in at the back post. After a few rough challenges and yellow cards the first half ended with Bucklands only able to muster a few pot shots and Te Atatu holding onto possession comfortably. Second half kicks off, and as could have been expected, Te Atatu had to brace a barrage of attacks from the Bucklands team, but centre back stalwart Chadley, and ever improving Stu held strong. Substitutions saw Tama and Wilson occupy our fullback positions and put in convincing performances. Tama even used his first swear word, although he's far to smart to direct it at a red eager to reach into the pocket. Once glorious opportunity from the break down saw Bucklands right winger in a 2 on 1 position in front of ever present Luke Barnaby in goal, but he scuffed his lines as his shot blazed over the bar and into the car park. some good counter attacks from Te Atatu would follow, most notably, Mahdi Basiri receiving the ball in acres of space on the penalty spot, and walloping it as hard as he could, but directly at the keeper. The game would end with big cheers as our lads find themselves into the quarter finals of the cup. Final score 2-0 to the Ressie lads
JUL 6
2022| ISSUE 8
WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP TE ATATU 0 : 1 HIBISCUS COAST
Deja vu as our ladies welcome Hibiscus Coast to sunny Te Atatu again this weekend. This week we welcomed top of the table Hibiscus Championship side for a league match up. Unbeaten this season and in 2 divisions above the hibiscus side that smashed us in the cup, today was going to be interesting! Keen on redemption and with everything to prove, the Te Atatu ladies got stuck in. The ladies had a plan to pressure Hibiscus from the front and it worked, with Hibiscus resorting to pushing it wide and forcing shots from afar. Hibiscus became more frustrated with our midfield shutting down their playmakers. Hibiscus’s pressure payed off, with a goal coming close to the end of the first half. The ladies kept their heads up and worked hard in the second half, with a number chances coming our way. Closest moment came when Bronwyn Caples drew in 3 players then popped out an excellent ball that took Keira Schriefer through, who’s slot past the keeper was narrowly stopped by the post. Our backline and keeper gritted it out to keep us in the game, with some fantastic saves from keeper Daina Brazier. Full time whistle ended things 1-0 to Hibiscus. A gutsy performance from our ladies side against a very strong Hibiscus outfit. POD went to Daina Brazier for a fantastic final game before her knee surgery this week. All the very best for your recovery Daina!
JUL 6
2022| ISSUE 8
WOMENS DIVISON 3
TE ATATU 3: 2 EAST COAST BAYS The ladies were stoked to have another home game at Neil Ave, kicking off a bit later than usual at 1pm. Up against East Coast Bays, who were unbeaten and at the top of the table, we knew the match was going to be a real battle. Coach John changed up the tactics in light of the more defensive stance we needed to take, playing a 4-3-3 with a flat 3 across the middle. We started off fairly strong right from kick off, however conceded fairly quickly, inside 10 minutes when their player hit it from well outside the 18yard box to find the back of the net. But, with a lot of game to play, the ladies kept themselves in the game and managed to equalise fairly quickly through Anna Lovegrove Perkins, who was played a lovely through ball from Elo Amaral which Anna slotted in the bottom corner. At 1-1 we were well and truly back in the game, and started really dominating the defence and midfield, and creating plenty of opportunities up front. Just prior to half time a corner from Jo Leslie was deflected back out to her and she took the opportunity to hit it from outside the 18 yard box and floated it into the top left hand corner to put us up 2-1 at halftime. With confidence high, we went into the second half knowing it was now our game to lose and we shortly went up 3-1 with a strong hit from striker Elo Amaral which the keeper fumbled to bring us level. Despite our lead, we kept attacking and playing confident football with lots of passing and possession. However, East Coast Bays also kept attacking and were able to sneak one through as the game went on, to bring the score to 3-2. With about 10 minutes to play we opted to protect our lead and play very defensively, which paid off for us with a final score of 3-2 win and East Coast Bays' first defeat of the year. Well done to all the ladies whose teamwork and commitment was really evident - everyone fought hard and got the result. Player of the day was Elo for her tireless work and outstanding goal up front – special thanks also to Amie Knott and Priscilla Hunter who played a half each in goal.
JUL 6
BB'S
DIVISION 6
2022| ISSUE 8
BB'S 2-0 ALBANY
The BBs cooked off against Albany Raw at Te Atatu South Park on Saturday. Things have been off the boil for the BBs recently with three losses in a row, so they were looking to get back on course. While Albany started with a sizzle, it was the BBs who were quickly cooking with gas. The BBs sliced through the Albany backline, but were just unable to put the cherry on top. The BBs rolling boil was so much so that their keeper even found Mark’s dinky free-kick too hot to handle. Just when it was looking like the BBs would leave the half without even a nibble, Nicholas (relishing in his new central midfield role) served up Dom a delicious diagonal through ball in the box who devoured it and took the BBs in at 1-0 between courses. The BBs came out hungry in the second half and continued to feast on the Albany backline, but were again just unable to put the final garnishes on to increase their lead. At the other end Mark tried to gift Albany a meal parcel as he swung his clearance just past the top corner. That was the closest Albany got to getting on the board as Mark continued his generous ways setting Dom free in the box where he sweetly smoked the ball into the top left corner giving Albany their just dessert at 2-0. That was how the meal finished, a comprehensive victory for the well-cooked BBs taking three points and a clean plate over their fittingly underdone opposition. MotM – Ben: In our formation the sweeper position is very much the head chef and with Krish away it was Ben who had to step into his big apron. Despite feeling a bit raw himself, Ben never looked like the heat of the kitchen was too much for him as he didn’t let the Raw attacks phase him, leading the backline strongly to well-deserved clean sheet.
JUL 6
STALLIONS
DIVISION 9
2022| ISSUE 8
STALLIONS 1:3 WEST COAST RANGERS The Stallions were at our home away from home this week at Moire Park. We played host to the high flying West Coast Rangers (ring ins) who boast a ridiculous goals for tally in our league. Injuries and illnesses continue to plague the Stallions squad this season and this week we welcomed Mark and Jack from the BB’s to the Stallions for a 1 week loan. The ring ins for our opposition introduced themselves to us before the game, seemingly thinking they were here to play for us but we pointed them in the right direction. The first half was all Stallions, with us having the lion’s share of possession and chance after chance but we were unable to beat their keeper. A dubious handball in the box was protested by the Stallions but WCR got away with one. 0-0 at half time, we felt confident but we knew they had more to throw at us. The second half started without a referee because our opposition couldn’t figure it out. It also featured a WCR ring in wearing no socks or shin pads which is always a delight. Our opposition struck first after a mix up at the back was pounced on and finished with a plomb by their ring in striker. The second goal was an absolute pearler and was backheeled in by an airborne WCR player. We continued to stay competitive and battled away but were undone by a 3rd goal. We knew at 3-0 down we at least deserved to pull one back for a decent performance. We were treated to a freekick masterclass by Shaun who bent one in top bins to cap a good team display. Ultimately, we lost 3-1 but it was an enjoyable time for everyone. Cheers to the two BB’s who came down and gave us their all. MOTM went to Shaun who even before his beautiful goal, was running the show on the left side of the park. DOTD went to Preston for causing grievous bodily harm to an opposition player and not even offering him a hand up.
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JUL 6
STALLIONS
DIVISION 9
2022| ISSUE 8
STALLIONS 2:3 ELLERSLIE The Stallions finally hosted for the first time this season after trailing through the southern catalogue of Auckland teams. The Ellerslie Wild Whingers (cheers Scott) seemed to turn up without a game plan or warm up which looked promising. Little did we know the game would be so physically contested. With Blake the Snake’s 3 ring-ins and a bunch of core players back, The Stallions held our own and played some quality football up top from Dan and Scott. Horsley was back between the sticks and Fels was back marshalling the back 4. However, we found ourselves behind again after a scramble indicative of our season so far. We did claw one back after a foul in the area resulted in a penalty that Harry snuck in (just) 1-1 at halftime. The Wild Whingers persisted with a resolute defence allowing them to keep us further up the wrong end of the park. We conceded 2 more goals and found ourselves 3-1 down (one of their goals was actually worthy of a replay). The Stallions weren’t done yet though. With some creative link up play from the returning Adam’s in midfield and ring in Sam, we starting finding pockets of space. Harry managed yet another half volley goal but it wasn’t enough in the end. The whinging ended and so did the game. 3-2 to Ellerslie Wild Bucks. MOTM went to ring in Sam for some great attacking play and mazy runs. DOTD went to Blake for bringing the ring ins without shorts and socks, resulting in a trip to Rebel Sport 20 minutes before kick off.
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JUL 6
OVER 35s Div 3
2022| ISSUE 8
WESTERLIES
WESTERLIES 1 :2 NORTHERN ROVERS It was a pleasantly warm winter’s afternoon that greeted the two teams at Te Atatu Park on Saturday for the first versus third clash. The Westerlies with eight players injured were running low on personnel, heading into the game, with a distinct lack of firepower up front, but we were still confident after a 10-0 win the week before. Our opponents, Northern Rovers, were well organised and built to defend, we had our work cut out. For the first time this season, we didn’t start well, however created the most golden of golden chances to take the lead, good work from Aalbers on the right, drew the goalkeeper and squared the ball to the waiting Kirk, who inexplicably managed to smash the ball over the crossbar with an empty net in front of him, wow, just wow. The miss of the century, (even worse that the one the week before), seemed to spur on NR and some strong play down the right led to the softest of soft goals, Bevan in goal for the demoted Eddie, called for the ball, then didn’t, then did, leaving poor Drew laying in front of the bus, not sure whether he was coming or going, unfortunately in the confusion he headed it into the net. 0-1. At this point, the NR goalkeeper called for the driver of the team bus to get the engine running and ready to park it in front of their goal, and so setting in motion a frustrating passage of play. The Westerlies had all the ball and all the territory but no killer instinct, we did a lot of huffing and puffing, just could get past the solid defence and team bus. Then the sucker punch, again they attacked down our left, a cross into the box a miss cue and a calm finish. 0-2. We only had ourselves to blame, we had four chances to clear but weren’t our effective selves. We deservedly halved the deficit, with a nice direct free kick from Ray, from 20 out, successful lifting the ball over the wall and into the corner. Game on. 1-2 Half time, a poor half and frustrating. The second half kicked off and the Westerlies were camped in the NR half, trying, trying to get something going, a few half chances but the NR defenders stood firm and so lead to a very frustrating last 30. It just wasn’t our day, the Westerlies had lost again on the number at Tat, twice now. We were the better team, we did get frustrated and lost our heads during the second half, something that we need to do better in future. We will be back next week for a tough trip to the unbeaten Takapuna in the cup. We will be back and we needed to stick together, injuries and guys having better things to do have hurt us but we beat a premier team with the correct attitude and a digging in deep. Chur.