Waikato FC

YoungHeart Manawatu

1

1

Boyd 42'

Cooksley, 34'

by Bruce Holloway at Porritt Stadium
asbpremiership.co.nz

HAMILTON - Waikato FC picked up their first home point of the season in the ASB Premiership, but it was visitors Youngheart Manawatu who were celebrating most after a 1-1 draw at Porritt Stadium.

Waikato dominated large swatches of this match, but squandered a raft of chances against bottom of the table opposition which played the final 25 minutes with 10 men.

If matches were awarded by jury, Waikato would have won this easily. Problem is, winning matches requires goals. And with their style of play, Waikato have to work inordinately hard for any goal, given the often painstaking deliberateness of their build ups and the fact so little is left to chance or opportunism.

Manawatu took the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute. Manawatu bombed forward on the break with Tom Mosquera going around Waikato keeper Mark Fulcher, only for centre back Tyler Lissette to brilliantly block the shot. However from the resultant corner Nathan Cooksley was unchallenged in heading home.

Waikato levelled the slate before half time with Tyler Boyd showing good speed and composure to go around the defence wide on the left and clip the ball home.
It might have been the catalyst for the floodgates to open, but chances galore went everywhere but the net, while Manawatu also started looking lively on the break.

Michael Fraser was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 66th minute when his challenge on keeper Fulcher was ruled to be dangerous. But his absence fundamentally changed nothing.

Waikato created some great opportunities, but every time found keeper Ben Wilkes in top form. Wilkes was easily man of the match for Manawatu with a string of saves, particularly two in the final 10 minutes.

Boyd, Wallace, Jesse Edge – pushed further forward than usual - Ryan Thomas and Adam Thomas all had good chances but couldn’t seal the game.

If Waikato fans found it frustrating to still be winless at Porritt after six matches, coach Declan Edge was more understanding.

"I was pleased with the movement of the players and the chances we created," Edge said.

"I thought we were back to our best in the speed of the passing for long periods.

"It was just the final ball sometimes that let us down."

And Edge heartily rejected suggestions his team was guilty of overplaying in and around the box and needed to shoot sooner and more often.

"No, we are guilty of trying to force things too much, we are very impatient."

So why can’t Waikato win at home? Why can’t they close out these games?

"The players I have at the pointy end are still only 17 and 18 and learning their trade. I’m more than happy to satisfy everybody in the crowd with goals if they will donate $10,000 each and I will go and sign a world class performer, but that is not going to happen.

"Auckland City solve the same problem by buying a whole lot of Spanish players, and at Waitakere it is very similar. I am trying to do it with homegrown players, and the final product at the pointy end requires years and years of practice.

"You must remember this is a young team. Having said that there are good signs there. I thought we would get over the line today, but the keeper made some great saves."

Acting Manawatu player-coach Jamie O’Connor was delighted with the draw.

"You have got to be happy with that after the season we have had," he said.

"The last two weeks have epitomised our season in that we have lost a couple of players and today one (Pablo Moya) pulled out sick.

"We were under the kosh a lot but knew that was going to happen against a quality young team playing a brand of football like that and we stuck at it.

O'Connor drew comparisons with Manawatu's recent away draw with Otago.

"The Otago game was two points lost whereas this was definitely a point won. We were outplayed for a large part of the game but we said before the start they could have a lot of the ball as long as we kept it in front of us, and we did for the majority of the time.

"There was a bit of pressure in the final 10 minutes but they couldn't really get behind us."

O’Connor pointed to good contributions from right back Wade Randle, making his first start, and Hamish McKay in his second start, and was delighted with the rear-guard effort given there had been three changes in the back four.

But keeper Wilkes was the main hero, while Mosquera, having his first start since returning from England, was often a handful up front.

All the Waikato players had their moments, but Edge declined to single anyone out.

Waikato FC

V

YoungHeart Manawatu

GK Mark Fulcher

GK Ben Wilkes

2. Tyler Lissette

2. Hamish McKay

4. Mohammed Awad

3. Josh Chettleburgh

6. Mike Kramer

4. Jamie O'Connor

8. Matteo Ballan

6. Matt Kennedy

9. Michael Mayne

8. Nathan Cooksley

10. Adam Thomas

14. Wade Randle

14 Josh Greene

16. Michael Fraser

15. Jesse Edge

21. Tom Mosquera

21 Tyler Boyd

23. Barry Lewis

24. Ryan Thomas

24. Michael McKnight

Substitutes

Substitutes

3. Jessie Smith 68'

12. Michael Sheridan 85'

19. Harry Edge 77'

18. Kyle Luke Graham

22. Adam Wallis 72'

18 Mohammed Aidad

RGK Danyon Drake

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

Hello from Porritt Stadium where it is a hot, still day and conditions are generally favourable. Only annoyance from a football perspective is the hammer throw arc from a recent athletic meeting extends onto the western end of the pitch and divots from an exceptionally silly discipline - who wants to throw a hammer in the 21st century? - have pock-marked the pitch in that quadrant and been filled with sand. Waikato are without Jason Hicks, who has returned from NZ U23 duty with an ankle injury, allowing Matteo Ballan to start and Mohammed Aidad to get on the bench. Manawatu have travelled with just two subs, while Andy Smith is listed as coach in Stu Jacobs' absence. For Manawatu's Matt Kennedy it is a return to a venue where he played for several seasons for Hamilton Wanderers. Any questions, cordwainerbull@gmail.com

1 min. Waikato kick off playing towards the western goal.

Cooksley earns a free kick on left from poor Waikato passing. Lissette, who conceded it, clears.

4 min. Wilkes good save, low from Jesse Edge

10 min. Waikato with a lot of possession, but little penetration so far.

14 min. J Edge shot comfortably collected. Edge playing further formward this week.

16 min. Awad robs O'Connor but shoots over.

18 min. Edge tumbles and Fraser goes in for a bit of afters. Both players booked.

19 min. Edge upended in tackle by Lewis, no foul, taken to sideline for treatment

22 min. Great run and crossfield ball by Randle, then shot from A Thomas at other end.

29 min. Boyd shot tipped wide for corner after great Edge run. Then Lissette header saved by Wilkes.

30 min. Wilkes gets down to save from Awad.

34 min. Mosquera beats offside and goes around Fulcher but Lissette clears. From long throw, Cooksley header, no challenge GOAL. Against the run of play, first real Manawatu attack.

42 min. GOAL. Boyd beats Randle down the left flank, cuts in and shoots home. Good strong run.

44 min. McKay shoots high from an acute angle.

Halftime. Honours even. Manawatu came alive after their goal and started looking dangerous with a couple of attacks. Waikato loads of half chances, then a good goal to Boyd after 7-8 passes strung together prior to his run.

46 min. Chettleburch over top with long shot.

49 min. Lewis booked after taking out Edge in an aerial challenge.

56 min. Kennedy booked. Bad tackle.

57 min. Kramer booked, obstructing Fraser.

60 min. Fulcher good save from Chettleburg

62 min. Schorcher from Ballan deflected wide for corner

63 min. Boyd shot too straight, saved.

65 min. Volley of 5 Waikato shots blocked

66 min. Fraser collects a second yellow for his challenge on Fulcher. Dismissed

68 min. Waikato sub. Smith for Ballan.

72 min. Boyd jinks into the box but shoots over.

73 min. Waikato sub. Wallis for Awad.

Yellow card for someone, not clear who.

76 min. Mosquera booked.

77 min. Sub Harry Edge for Jesse Edge

84 min. Wilkes great save divign at the feet of Boyd.

Manawatu sub. Sheridan for McKnight.

87 min. Wilkes great save from Wallis

88 min. Wallis cuts in but elects to pass, opportunity lost.

89 min. H Edge drills wide.

Full time. 1-1. Manawatu hold on for a hard earned point. Waikato will reflect on what might have been.