1st Team: Back to Winning Ways In Style

BMAFC 1st Team thumped Otahuhu United for the second time this season to get their season back on track after a string of losses. Happily, all other results over Round 14 were favourable for the Blue & White's - the top team Western Springs having a draw against lowly Eastern Suburbs Ellis and all other nearest competitors either losing or having their bye round.

Fielding a slightly reshuffled line-up this week paid off for Beachlands, who played with authority in both attack and defense for the full 90 minutes. To their end, Otahuhu played with intent and vigour for the entire match but were unable to breech Beachland's defense.

The home side opened the scoring early in the match as right midfielder Johny Rist broke free and beat the keeper with a well placed (although mis-hit!) strike to the lower right corner. Following the goal, the game tighened up with Otahuhu peppering the Beachland's danger zone with long range balls aimed at their speedy strikers and wide men. The strategy failed to bear fruit however as Beachlands muscled up in defense and scrambled well when required to.

Bryce Henny scored midway through the half gave the locals a 2-0 half time lead.

The two-goal advantage did not feel comfortable given the enthusiasm and ability of the visitors coupled with the fact that Beachlands only had two substitutes and players walking wounded. Beachlands responded to the risk by maintaining their dominance at each end of the field right from the second half whistle, and scored again after 20 minutes when Matt Henny pounced on a lose ball within striking distance to extend the lead to three.

Kevin Walker had a solid game in goal after a late call-up following regular keeper Adam Kelway being called into work that morning. While Kevin and the entire defensive line was integral in BMAFC keeping a clean sheet, captain Ant Schomaker capped off a near flawless game with Beachlands' fourth goal at the back end of the match. Ant's work holding down the midfield and directing the attacking play - on top of his spectacular long range strike - earned him man of the match honours.

The 4-0 victory confirms Beachlands' second placing with seven matches remaining to make their charge for Championship glory, starting with an away match versus Metro FC this weekend.