Westlake show character in narrow defeat
Westlake first XI football side put on a battling performance away to old rivals Auckland Grammar School but ultimately came away empty handed. On a bumpy pitch both sides gave no quarter in a frantic opening stanza that saw a player from each side booked amongst some full blooded challenges. Half chances came and went for both sides but most of the play was dominated by the midfield battle of attrition, that Westlake gradually began to edge.
Westlake had a good opportunity to take the lead when striker Sean Skeens beat the opposition right back, drew the keeper and squared the ball across the penalty area. Unfortunately no Westlake player could find a scoring touch and ball was cleared. Half time saw the sides locked 0-0, both knowing fine margins would decide the outcome of this match in the second half.
Some early pressure saw AGS get the ball in the Westlake net but the linesman’s flag had been raised early in the move and the goal was ruled offside. The game continued to be a tense, hard fought affair with both sides looking to profit from the others mistakes. Unfortunately it was Westlake who blinked first. A clearance was allowed to bounce and when the AGS right wing dribbled into the penalty area Clarke Foulds mistimed his challenge, giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. AGS duly converted from 12 yards to take a 1-0 lead.
Westlake were forced into changes as first View Rungpao and then the hard working Bronson Kelly were forced off with injury; Matt Conway and Breaden Acarapi were the replacements. Matt Conroy almost had an immediate impact when his quick turn in the box gave him a clear sight of goal but his shot curled agonizingly wide with the AGS keeper well beaten. To compound the frustration of not having equalized Westlake found themselves two goals behind when a speculative diagonal pass found an AGS midfielder making a well-timed run.
With the WBHS defense over committed on the left the AGS player was able to stride through the gap and slide the ball past the advancing Zac White. Westlake continued to press forward in search of a goal but were denied by a resolute home defense and had to settle, knowing they had put on a performance of real grit and character.
Westlake play their penultimate Premier league match of the season at home to MAGS, 12 noon next Saturday.
Team: Zac White, Jack Pirie, Michael Booth, Clarke Foulds, Luke Johnson, Daniel Lough, Bronson Kelly, Oscar Ramsay ©, Sean Skeens, View Rungpao, Jaidyn Hendriks. Subs: Keanen Baghaloo, Matt Conroy, Breaden Acarapi and Finn Medemblik.
Other Football scores:
WBHS 1st XI lost 2-0 to Auckland Grammar School
WBHS 2nd XI lost 3-0 to Auckland Grammar School
WBHS 15A1 lost 4-0 to St Kentigern College
WBHS 14A1 bye
WBHS 14A2 beat Rosmini College 5-0
WBHS 13A1 beat Auckland Grammar School 4-0
WBHS 13A2 beat Massey College 5-1