PlaceMakers PNBHS 1st XI football played Hokowhitu in their Horizons Western Premiership League fixture on the turf at the Central Energy Trust Arena on Friday night. With recent results not going the 1st XI’s way, the team were under pressure to get a result against one of the top sides in the league. The game started at a ferocious pace with both teams looking to move the ball into forward areas quickly to take advantage of the spaces left during transitions. The 1st XI created the more clear cut chances during this period, forcing the Hokowhitu keeper to make some smart saves. However, against the run of play, and despite defending well, Hokowhitu took the lead from the penalty spot after 20 minutes. Going behind spurred the boys to pick up the tempo and ball speed which lead to a period of scintillating attacking football. Jaiden Meyer equalised shortly after, running with the ball past a number of defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Jaiden then turned creator when threading a perfectly weighted through ball to the speedy Adarsh Dutt who placed his shot into the bottom corner. Half time: 2-1 to PNBHS.
Hokowhitu started the second half the stronger team as PNBHS struggled to adapt to their opponents high press. This lead to the Hokowhitu equaliser early in the second half when a speculative long range effort flew into the top corner after the boys gave possession away cheaply. The final 20 minutes belonged entirely to PNBHS. The midfield trio of Ben Mori, Daniel McDougall and Aadesh Ganugapati took complete control of the game. Daniel put the 1st XI in front before Jaiden and Adarsh both got their second goals of the game. The final result ending 5-2 to PNBHS in what was their best league performance to date.
Thank you to our 1st XI Football Sponsors
