Team Wellington

Hawkes Bay United

0

1

George Barbarouses 49

by David Cross at Newtown Park
nzfc.co.nz

Hawke's Bay United's Wellington import George  Barbarouses made a winning return home as he scored the decisive goal in an enthralling match in the capital.

A warm and muggy day greeted visitors to Newtown Park today as Central Region rivals Hawkes Bay and Team Wellington faced off in front of a small but passionate crowd. 

Wellington coach Stu Jacobs made changes to his midfield with Cole Peverley and Dan Keat both in in the middle of the park in attempt to get a sometimes faltering attack firing.

His opposite number Matt Chandler made minimal changes to a Hawke's Bay side that has at times this season been unlucky not to pick up full points against many of their rivals.

The game started ominously for Wellington as Barbarouses got free on the left and put in a very dangerous low cross with just seconds on the clock.

Luckily for the Team Wellington defence no Hawke's Bay player could quite get on the end of it, and the ball flashed wide of James Bannatyne's far post. 

The opening exchanges gave good indication that spectators were in for an entertaining game with a number of chances at both ends - with Barbarouses pulling the strings for Hawke's Bay - and a man who had travelled in the opposite direction in Chris Davies, at the heart of most of Team Wellington's best moves.

As the first half rolled on both sides were proving creative and playing some entertaining end to end football, both sides just lacking that clinical touch in the area to finish chances. 

Perhaps the best chance of the half fell to Barbarouses as he edged along the Wellington penalty box and shot across his body forcing an excellent save out of James Bannatyne.

An entertaining first half failed to produce a goal if not plenty of exciting moments for spectators to savour.

But within minutes of the restart Barbarouses got the goal his industry deserved as he again found space on the left and took a powerful shot which seemed to take a deflection off the Team Wellington defence with James Bannatyne beaten.

In truth, Barbarouses shot looked net-bound before the deflection and the local boy - now an import with the visitors - savoured the moment.

The quality of the game continued to be high with Greg Draper having two good chances, one forcing an excellent save from Richard Gillespie in the Hawke's Bay goal and another requiring a last ditch tackle from the impressive Stuart Ferguson that robbed the Team Wellington stirker of adding to his season tally of six.

But the day belonged to George Barbarouses though as his goal capped off on a memorable 90 minute display from Hawke's Bay United.

"It was a good day, good to get a first goal of the season, good for the team to get a win, good for the team to play the full 90 minutes" said Barbarouses.

"I'd fallen off the radar a bit in the last few years and Matt Chandler has given me a chance to play NZFC again and I'm playing well, feeling great"

"Of course it's great to score here, and maybe to prove a point, but mainly this about Hawkes Bay.  We needed a win to keep in touch and it's great to do that.  We'll be buzzing at training this week".

Wellington coach Stu Jacobs meanwhile was left to rue another game Team Wellington were always a part of and a chance of winning. 

"It's the story of the season.  Near, but not near enough.  You don't score, you don't win and we struggled to score again".

Both sides contributed much to one of the more entertaining NZFC games seen at Newtown park this season.

Team Wellington

V

Hawkes Bay United

James Bannatyne

Richard Gillespie

Jamie Duncan

Sam Halligan

Trent Watson

Phil Clarke

Michael Winsauer

Jonathon Taylor

Chris Davies

Matt Hastings

Cole Peverley

Leon Birnie

Dan Keat(58)

Andrew Abba(79)

Andy Barron

Sam Jacob

Chris Bale(88)

Marama Thompson

Roddy Brown(50)

Stuart Ferguson

Greg Draper

George Barbarouses

Substitutes

Substitutes

Adam Birch

Fergus Neil

Bryan Little(58)

Andrew Bevan(79)

Michael Fifii(50)

Shaun Peta

Jamie McKay

Joachim Rande

Gary McDermott(88)

Magnus Hansson

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

A lovely warm day here at Newtorn Park.  Both sides out going through the pre-game rituals.  A few changes in the middle of the park for Team Wellington with Dan Keat and Cole Peverley in the middle of the park.

In something of a miracle my computer seems to be working as well.  I'm as shocked as you.

Matchday sponsors, Wendy's super Sundaes... mmmmmm

1 Min

Within seconds George Barbarouses is free on the left and his low cross can't be met and slips just wide of the far post.

3 Min

Chris Davies crosses from the right and Dean Keat launches a powerful header that requires Marama Thompson at full stretch to put it over off his head.  Resulting corner is sent wide.

4 Min

All on here.  Hawkes Bay now fire just wide as Stuart Ferguson heads wide from a corner.

5 Min

Expert comments man is commenting on how narrow Hawkes Bay are playing at this early stage.

6 Min

Trent Watson gives away a free kick near the right hand touchline.  Appeared to be holding Leon Birnies hand. Free kick was a little disappointing.

11 Min

A second call from the Wellington attackers for a handball by Phil Clarke in the area, again play on.  Meanwhile Chris Davies manages a foul throw.  It's like watching Capital 16.

14 Min

Still end to end, but no clear-cut chances recently though.  Some class from Roddy Brown just there as he turns two men but just touches the ball to far to regain it.

17 Min

Phil Clarke in the action again as he and Barron come together.  A free kick 10 yards outside the area right in front, but the kick is sent wide.

18 Min

Free kick in a similar position at the other end.  Bannatyne get's down to save it.

19 Min

Great shot from George Barbarouses as he cuts along the top of the Team Wellington area, forces a fantastic save out of James Bannatyne.  Following striker was offside.

23 Min

Another team Wellington corner, comes through at a dangerous height Chris Davies sends it wide on the volley.  A few more 'aggresive' tackles going in now.

Expert Comments man:  Everything good about Wellington coming through Chris Davies wide on the right.

30 Min

Hawkes Bay free kick outside the area, some confusion in the Wellington defence for a corner.  Nothing from the corner.

32 Min

Wellington free kick wide, aimed for Wtson, but to long.  His head across the box is deflected away.

35 Min

Andrew Abba clear in the area but shoots wide of Bannatyne's goal.  Should have done better there.

36 Min

Barron corner is met by Bale but sent just over the top.

37 Min

Two good chances for Wellington on the break but not quite enough quality about the final delivery.

Expert Comments Man : Correction - The play we have attributed to Phil Clarke is in fact Jonathon Taylow.

42 Min

Taylor throws himself in the way of a volley from Bale after Davies again causes problems wide.

44 Min

There will be a minimum of 1 minutes additional time.

45 Min + 1

Phil Clarke goes in to the referee's book for a blatant drag back as Hawkes Bay break.

Nil-all at the half.  One of the better halves we've seen at Newtown park this season.

45 Min

...and we're back.  No changes at the half for either side.  Hawkes Bay straight on to the attack and win a corner.

49 Min

George Barbarouses 1-0. Shot from the side of the area takes a deflection off the Team Wellington defence and in. It was probably goal bound anyway. 

50 Min

Michael Fifii replaces Roddy Brown for Team Wellington.  A few more willing tackles going in now.  Still just the one yellow though.

54 Min

Hawkes Bay United corner, but disappointing delivery.

55 Min

Scandal here.  The sausage sizzle has closed early.  Source of much anguish in the commentary box.

56 Min

Foul centre of the park.  team Wellington free kick.  Jacob and Peverley booked for handbags after the foul.

57 Min

Trent Watson gets his customary Yellow as Bryan Little comes on for Dan Keat.

59 Min

Audacious effort by George Barbarouses from 40 yards sails just wide.

63 Min

Stunning save by Gillespie off Draper.  Some debate about whether it was saved or just him.  Team Wellington waking up again now, but still needs a bit of class in front of goal.

64 Min

George Barbarouses cleans up Michael Fifii and earns himself a Yellow.

67 Min

Good spell for Team Wellington here... and as soon as I type Hawkes Bay break.  Abba spreads it wide left to George Barbarouses who puts in a great ball which Abba launches well over.

70 Min

Draper through one on one but Ferguson makes a fantastic tackle tracking back to take it off Draper's toes.  Ferguson looking sore on it.

75 Min

Still end to end here but no one quite able to muster a clear-cut chance.

79 Min

Andy Bevan on Andrew Abba off

87 Min

Chris Bale off injured for Gary McDermott.  Leon Birnie shoots wide after another great ball in.

88 Min

Leon Birnie in the book, interesting offside ball and he's booked for continuing with the shot.

90 Min

Four extra minutes here.

Final here Hawkes Bay winning 1-0 in an entertaining match.