1st Team Keeps Another Clean Sheet

Beachlands Maraetai 1st Team played table-toppers Metro FC Wrimac at Te Puru Park on Saturday, with Metro recording three wins from their first three rounds and Beachlands returning to their regular Division 1 competition after a heavy loss in their Chatham Cup qualifier last weekend.

With Beachlands' team management shuffling the starting line-up for this week the game provided opportunities for a number of players who had to date recorded only minimal game time. Brent Couper (striker) and Mark Bignell (left back) both earned their first starts for the season while midfielders Eric Rozeboom and Rex Bignell played their first minutes for the first team, entering the game from off the bench at half time.

Generally throughout the match the home side defended well across the park and while it was not a quiet game for goal keeper Adam Kelway, he was only truely tested on one occaision by Metro's attack. Kelway's save ensured yet another clean sheet for Beachlands in Div 1 games this year.

It was Beachlands' use of the football which proved below standard - too often passes were rushed and missed their mark. Beachlands' control of possession and support play continues to be below their full potential despite training well in these areas each week. However, with a vocal crowd of supports cheering them on, the blue and white of Beachlands Maraetai managed to gain some momentum in the second half and generated a number of scoring opportunities. The decisive strike came from skipper Anthony Schomaker after some crisp short passing created space for him in front of Metro's goal.

One goal never felt like enough for Beachlands as Metro kept the pressure on to the dying minute of play - a late break down Beachland's right flank came undone for Metro as a desparate cross-field run by player of the day Mark Bignell prevented the attempted strike.

The 1-0 victory sees BMAFC sitting in second place on the table with a game in hand. Their next fixture is away to Papatotoe AFC at Murdoch Park at 2:45pm.