Our second game for the day was against Napier Boys’. Going in, PNBHS knew it would be a lot different to this morning’s matchup. What they weren’t expecting was having to fight back after being two goals down in the first six minutes.
In his 50th game for the PlaceMakers PNBHS 1st XI, Brooklyn Browne was tested early. Napier pressed hard and strong, taking two attacking corners and multiple shots to open the game. Defensive shape broke open and Napier were rewarded with two quick goals. PNBHS were persistently punished for their passing errors, and each time were driven back to their goal line. Aadesh Ganugapati stepped up to settle the play and connect neatly with Jaiden Meyer to construct some attacking runs of their own, changing the tone of the game. Making a driving run, Aadesh was dragged down by the keeper, and PNBHS put Jaiden Meyer on the spot to convert and to begin the comeback.
The second half saw more possession and successful passing play between the team, with fewer leaks and errors being forced by Napier. The combination of Daniel McDougall and Jaiden Meyer resulted in a ball across the face of the goal, tapped in by Adarsh Dutt to level the game. Through a series of attacking corners, Napier went back on the attack, however, we're unable to add to their tally – Brooklyn Browne with a safe pair of gloves. Sharp reading of play saw Ben Mori latch onto a lose back-pass and guide it home to put PNBHS in front with two minutes left to play.
Determination and grit were the proven points in this afternoon’s match. Mounting a come-back against quality opposition is never an easy task, especially with a tournament result at stake. The win sees the team through to the semi-finals. Tomorrow morning’s game will dictate our opponent in the afternoon. Congratulations again to Brooklyn Browne, for playing his 50th game for the PlaceMakers PNBHS 1st XI.
Good luck to the 1st XI team playing their round 3 game against New Plymouth Boys' High School tomorrow at 9.00am and then round 4 later in the day.
All games can be live-streamed at https://sideline.live/schools/manawatu-whanganui/palmerston-north-boys-high-school
Thank you to our 1st XI Football Sponsors
