BMAFC Progress in CM Cup

History repeated at Te Puru Park on Saturday as Beachlands Maraetai AFC qualified for the semi-final round of the Counties Manukau Knock-out Cup by burying South Auckland Rangers Black 4-0 – the same opposition which provided BMAFC's promotion to the Cup semis in the corresponding fixture last season.

In 2009 Beachlands played SAR Black away at Israel Avenue Reserve at took out the honours 4-2 in a hard fought battle. This year the South Auckland side presented many familiar faces and were brimming with confidence given their unbeaten form in Division 5, with 69 goals scored and only 13 against them all season.

Kicking off, the visitors gave away their possession almost immediately and were made to pay for their error - BMAFC vice captain Sean Langford drilled in a perfect cross from the right side to find left winger Matt Henney pressing forward. Henney held out SAR's central defender and volleyed home to secure a 1-0 advantage within the opening two minutes.

Shocked into action, SAR found their rhythm and offered up more resolute opposition throughout the remainder of the half - the scoreboard unchanged at the turn-around. The match was physical but allowed for plenty of football from both sides and despite Beachlands having the lion's share of the ball, the visiting side made it abundantly clear it would only take one slip-up from the locals to turn the game on its head. Heading into the half-time break, Beachlands were thankful of both their early goal and also their good fortune at the other end as a number of close calls ended harmlessly.

A more focused Beachlands side took to the field in the second half and after an early settling-in period, Beachlands mounted the pressure. Beachlands' second goal came from ace striker Ant Schomaker who found the ball at his feet in centre-field just outside the box. Schomaker proved how lethal he can be from that range and offered the home side a chance to breathe a little easier.

Strong defence across the park kept SAR at bay and their fruitless attacking plays left them drained. With 10 minutes remaining BMAFC Reserve stalwart Shane Gardner entered the match. Quick and agile, Gardner made the tiring South Auckland defense pay as he nailed his first goal scoring opportunity for the 1st Team to take Beachlands to a 3-0 lead. And only minutes later, Gardner netted a double after a clearing blunder from SAR's goal keeper fell to his feet. With work to do, Shane beat the heat bearing doen on him to secure the match for Beachlands and send the vocal crowd into raptures!

The 4-0 victory will see BMAFC into the semi final round against High School Old Boys at Te Puru Park, 2pm Sunday August 24.

Photos courtesy Pohutukawa Coast Times