Napier u19 2023 Diary

Day 1 Summary

Game 1 for the boys was a tough one to take. Going 1-0 up midway through the first half set a good foundation for us to defend well until the last 10 minutes where Bay Olympic knocked 2 goals to win 2-1.

A regroup was needed and helped the boys kick on. A game against Island Bay was our second of the day. A goal either side of half time finalised a 2-0 game in a win, which saw us dominate large parts of the game. The final game of the day was a quarter final rematch from last year as we came up against Cashmere Technical. A cagey first half resulted in a tense half time break at 0-0. We had a goal controversially disallowed 5 minutes after the restart, which acted as a catalyst for a dominating 20 minutes to follow. A 90th minute winner was the last kick of the game as an awesome celebration from Springs ended the day.

Game 1 for the girls started in the best possible fashion, taking the lead early in the game. Taradale quickly replied with one of their own. After halftime, the girls managed to bag a second midway through the second half and then sealed all three points late into the game, coming away with a 3-1 win. Game 2 saw the girls take on Tauranga city. A long range strike saw us take the lead early. Then, an absolute like driver meant the girls went into the half 2-0 up. A tidy finish and then another screamer meant we went into the final game 2 from 2. The final game late in the day was against Horowhenua. As fatigue started to set in, the team had to push through . Another early goal saw us take a 1-0 lead into the half,followed by another soon after time. The round off the game and seal 3 from 3 the girls scored with the last kick of the game.

Overall, it was a solid start to our Napier tournament for the 19s sitting second with 6 points for the boys and first on 9 points for the girls . An ocean recovery dip yesterday hopes to be imperative in our success today, where we aim to qualify for the quarters.

Day 2 Summary

The second day saw the boys start the day with a hard fought 1-0 over Northern Rovers, securing them qualification into the knockout stages. Followed by a top of the table clash against Northland. Which ended in a 0-0 draw

The boys then geared up for a quarter final clash against Miramar Rangers. It was an arm wrestle throughout with neither side being able to break the deadlock during regulation time. Extra time set the game up for a dramatic finish . Sadly deep into extra time Miramar broke the deadlock, meaning the boys bowed out at the quarter final stages.Keep your heads up high boys you’ve done the club and yourselves proud!

The girls faced Franklin United in the first game of the day, a clinical first half display followed by some excellent link up play saw the girls prevail 10-0 securing qualification into the knockout stages too. New Plymouth Rangers in the second game of the day proved a really physical battle as fatigue set in the girls pushed through and late into the second half were awarded a penalty. Which was emphatically slotted away securing all three points Quarter final time saw the girls take on a physical Fencibles side the girls started in the best possible fashion with an early goal followed quickly by another soon after. Fencibles clawed one back late into the game but the team managed to hang on with the game ending 2-1.

Day 3 Summary

Monday brought to a close a pulsating weekend away.

The girls faced Hibiscus Coast in a do or die semi final match. It was end to end football from the word go, with neither side refusing to roll over as the teams went into the half all locked up at 0-0. Springs continued to pile on the pressure, but unfortunately, early in the second half, Hibiscus broke the deadlock via a goalmouth scramble from a corner. Despite numerous chances, the girls couldn’t find their way back into the game ,as it ended 1-0.

Kudos to the Boys who came and supported the team despite bowing out of the tournament on Sunday evening. As we sign off for Napier 2023 we would like to say to both teams, keep your heads up high, you’ve done yourselves and the club proud and set the standard high for future years to come!Special mentions to the coaching staff who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend, ensuring that the tournament ran smoothly.

Boys

Danyon Drake
Maurie Wasi
Scott Hales
Jacob Zussman
Grant Borill
Paul Thomas
Patrick Tobin

Girls
Alec Flood
Ethan Wai poi
Maia Vink
Phoebe Smith
Kelly Bolus
Dylan Weaver

And the chefs Mario(Muz) and Barry (Baz)