BMAFC Defeated in Cup Final

They say you have to lose one before you can win one, and in BMAFC's first ever senior cup final in the Club's 20+ year history, the Senior Men's 1st Team were defeated 3-2 by Mangere United in a gripping Counties Manukau Knock-out Cup final at Te Puru Park on Saturday.

Early goal-scoring has become a feature of recent Beachlands matches, and with the chance to perform in front of a large and vocal home crowd (surely a club record!) the local side set the sideline supporters alight after five minutes of play when the Mangere goal keeper fumbled a cross from a Beachlands attacking corner, and right-back James Gibbs swooped to toe-poke the ball home before the keeper had time to recover.

From there the match ebbed and flowed in peaks and troughs as either side built periods of dominance but it was Mangere who capitalised on their ground work. Towards the back end of the first half Mangere broke down Beachlands defensive line with repeated overlapping play. From within their own half, Mangere pushed forward in numbers and with quick, intelligent movements off the ball, the visitors eventually unpicked Beachlands' three-man backline to claim their equaliser.

Beachlands had been busy generating opportunities of their own but Mangere's first goal offered a lesson for Beachlands which ultimately decided the outcome of the final: You work hard for your chances, so you best take them as they are presented! Beachlands were below their clinical best in front of goal as numerous first-half opportunities went begging.

However, the foundations of their many shots provided confidence that they were only one strike away from restoring their advantage on the scoreboard. As the second half commenced, the match was in the balance and there for the taking - most likely, it seamed - for the team next to score.

Mangere stuck firm to their game plan and with no signs of fatigue, their tactics often created the feeling that Beachlands were playing against 13 men, such was the quality of their support play.

For the locals, chances became harder to construct but still they came, and true to their first-half form the goals for Beachlands remained elusive.

The battle raged on throughout the second half for what seemed an eternity until the perseverance of Mangere broke down Beachlands' defense once again. Scrambling defense was not enough to stop the shot-starved Mangere strikers and Beachlands conceded their second. With time running short, Mangere grabbed a third goal only minutes later and then, as another one-on-one chance for Beachlands went astray, at 3-1 down, Beachlands looked dead and buried.

But the boys never gave up on the match and pushed hard for a strong finish.

Their fortunes changed as striker and captain Ant Schomaker was fouled in the opposition goal box: the resultant penalty was duly nailed by Ant. At 3-2 the match - and that most impressive crowd! - was brought back to life. Around 10 minutes remained - enough time to snare an equaliser and force the match into extra time...? Despite a gallant closing performance, the clock ran down before Beachlands could rescue (or at least suspend) glory from the jaws of defeat.

To make the final of the knock-out cup tournament was a feat in itself and the team played their hearts out on the day. The result sees the side go one better than last year's semi-final defeat, and perhaps paves the way for the trophy in 2011 - as they say, you have to lose one...

The team would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the coaching and management staff of Brian Preston, Henri Habraken, Murray Dalton and Pete Jones for their hard work and dedication in 2010. To our supporters - thanks for the noise this season especially to those hardcore who've stood by every week even in the pouring rain! And finally a big thank you to our sponsors: Lighthouse Real Estate, The Jolly Roger, Meat to Please, Hammer Hardware and Beachlands Liquor Centre.

Photos courtesy Pohutukawa Coast Times