5/16 Takapuna AFC Welcomes Onehunga Mangere United Lotto NRFL Div 2 21 May 2016 Club History Sponsors Welcome/President’s Report On behalf of the Takapuna Committee welcome to Taharoto Park for round 9 of the NRFL division 2,2016 season. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Nick Russo, his management team, players and supporters from Onehunga Mangere AFC. The first team were unlucky last Saturday night in their first game of the Chatham Cup, as they came up against a physically strong Ellerslie team. There were enough opportunities for either team to lead going into the half time break if it wasn’t for some impressive defending and excellent goalkeeping. First half ended in a deadlock o-o. As the second half got underway Ellerslie changed their style of play missing out playing through their mid field altering to a direct long ball (route one) to their big centre forward who held the ball up in the Taka third while the Ellerslie team pressed quickly to support him. Two deadly strikes inside the Taka six yard box gave Ellerslie a successful two goal lead. Been two nil down, Taka stuck to the game plan creating a wave of attacks into the Ellerslie goal box. Ellerslie were lucky as two balls were cleared off the line with another chance brilliantly saved by the Ellerslie goal keeper. In the 82nd minute Wesley Baldwin struck with a thunder bolt from outside the Ellerslie goal box into the bottom right hand corner. Game on for the next eight minutes as Taka gave everything they had left, still creating chances to pull level to the final whistle. Final score Ellerslie 2 Taka 1. Taka player of the day and well deserved went to Brendan Kevanagh. Today will get the focus back onto the league as it is important to continue on with winning at home and securing another three points. The reserves will be looking forward to their game after having last week off due to the Chatham Cup round so good luck continuing with your unbeaten record. Good luck over the weekend to all Takapuna teams, hopefully your 2016 campaigns will have you league winners in 12 weeks time. Please enjoy today’s game and I sincerely hope that you will experience the hospitality on offer during the day and then join with members from both clubs in the clubhouse after the game for the post match player awards and socially relax in the excellent facilities we have to offer Wayne Hallford President 1st Team Report FROM THE DUGOUT Good afternoon and welcome back to Taharoto Park after two weeks away for our NRFL game against Onehunga Mangere AFC. We would like to welcome Nick Russo & Warren Parke, their playing staff and fans to our wonderful facility's here at Taharoto Park The league has started settling down somewhat with this being our 8th game but I believe that Onehunga Mangere although they have started poorly they certainly are a team that are in a false position and a very dangerous team who I feel could be the team from the pack who push for promotion. Our last game saw us away from home in a Chatham cup tie against Division 1 team Ellerslie AFC It was a perfect opportunity to test ourselves against a team from the division we are striving for and the game proofed to be a tight affair. Hitting the bar and having the ball cleared of the line twice in the first half had us rueing our chances. In the second half the home team came out of the blocks scoring two break away goals. But not to be out done we came back stronger forcing a fantastic save from Sam Hallam's header. The keeper was beaten though by a fine strike from Wes Baldwin with time running away. Our cup run was not to be this year with the score ending at 2:1 to the home team. It's always sad to leave the Chatham cup early but our focus is on the league and this needs to be our number one priority so much so we rested players to allow us to be ready for today Enjoy the game today and get behind the lads from the first minute to the last. The team felt after the cup defeat that although they played well they had let the shirt and club members down and not many words were passed in the changing rooms after the game The lads are very keen to get that straight as soon as possible UP THE TAKA BOYS! Joe Daw Reserve Team Report The boys knew going into the last two games it was always going to be tough and physical against the South & West Auckland sides. Te Atatu were up with us at the top of the table so it was a must win to keep our pole position. Papatoetoe had also had some mixed but good results for us to watch out for. The week leading up to Te Atatu the boys had been working hard at training, setting a very high standard going into the game. We dominated the first 20, going up 1-0 early doors and keeping the pressure on. We should have bagged a few more goals but towards the back-end of the first half we started to lose our shape and composure, Te Atatu were very unlucky not to grab a couple of goals back. The second half was a lot better from the boys. Everyone put in a big shift and moved the ball around the park brilliantly. It was only a matter of time until we would capitalize again. 2-0, 3-0 up. Our fourth goal came from some brilliant football. Quick one touch passing, tiki-taka like, real Total Football stuff. The ball came from a great cross and was an even better finish. All-in-all it was great to come away with the 3 points and keep our position at the top of the table. Special mention to Flinn Medemblik for making some monstrous saves and keeping another clean sheet. Our game last weekend against Papatoetoe was in no way shape or form a reflection of our season thus far. We went 2-0 up quickly and thought "we're going to run a riot out here" but were proved wrong. Papatoetoe fought hard, the boys lost a bit of mental discipline with the referee making some debatable calls and missing obvious decisions. We were switched off in all areas of the park and not making the most of our chances. We were very lucky to still come away with a win! The lads are looking to redeem themselves this week against a formidable Onehunga Man- gere side. Making their way to the mighty Taharoto Park after nicking points from a very strong Northland FC team who are battling to catch us at the top of the table. Rene Boca Team Report 14/05/16 Boca 4-2 Forest Hill Seagulls MOM: Tom Beguely JACK THE VLAD! Beguely brothers combine with super-sub-Serb for battling victory With a strong turnout at training and three wins on the bounce, the atmosphere was buzzing for a tricky assignment against a strong Seagulls outfit. It had special resonance for Crispy, as he came face to face with his old boys, so everyone was pumped to give it everything. Locking assumed the captain’s armband and we welcomed young Flinny in goal (turned 18 this week). Hopefully he wouldn’t have too much to do. The return of Wally and Biddy gave Gaffer a headache, but it was brilliant to have a full squad to choose from and we started OK. After 10 minutes we began to click into gear after a few scares in our own box. Jack hit the post from close range, while Will had a clear shot at goal but couldn’t keep it down. Then on 15 minutes we were absolutely robbed. They sloppily gave the ball away in midfield and Jack moved forward. With brother Tom to his left, he slipped the ball through – about two, three yards onside, Tom could see the defender in front of him. Tom slots the ball home, 1-0. But oh no, they raise the flag. A minute later Harvey snatched at a chance close range and from then on it goes a bit Pete Tong! For some reason, Boca begin to lose composure and start to stupidly give the ball away. Across the park we can’t keep it and they gain confidence. On 30 mins, there’s confusion at the back and Flinny doesn’t quite claim the ball. They slip in and we’re 1-0 down. A strange situation to be in, considering how we’d been playing. However, Gaffer had talked beforehand about being in tough spots and keeping your heads u, which we did. We remained patient and got on the front foot. Welton and Locking were constantly looking for the ball and Crispy, with the front two, was working tirelessly. Obradovic and JK were cleaning up well, with their 7-foot striker kept pretty quiet. Then on 42 minutes we got back on terms. Jack was buzzing away as usual, putting them under pressure, and he nicked the ball. Mov- ing into the box he squared to brother Tom and it was the simplest of finishes. A big relief to go in at halftime 1-1. Second half, completely different story. Almost immediately we were pushing them back and creating more chances.