Westlake Battle to Important First Win
WBHS 1 – Tauranga Boys 0
Team: Zac White, Jack Pirie, Luke Johnson, Clarke Foulds, Greg Nimmo, Bronson Kelly, Daniel Lough, Sean Skeens, Oscar Ramsay, View Rungpao and Jaidyn Hendriks. Subs: Keanen Baghaloo, Trent Baker, Finn Medemblik, Matthew Wood and Breadan Acarapi. Scorers: Jaidyn Hendriks (56th).
Westlake opened their New Zealand Secondary Schools tournament campaign with a hard fought and vital 1-0 win over Tauranga Boys.
On a bumpy pitch Westlake took the game to Tauranga and Jaidyn Hendriks did well to beat his defender on the right before crossing dangerously. Unfortunately no Westlake player could get the finishing touch. Westlake then won consecutive corners which the Tauranga keeper had to punch clear from his line. More pressure saw Sean Skeens get in behind the opposition defense twice but his touch let him down on both occasions.
Tauranga looked most dangerous when their full back launched long throws into the Westlake box. It was this route that led to their best chance of the half when their striker looped a header onto the Westlake bar. At half time the teams were locked 0-0.
The second half continued in much the same manner with both sides struggling to play with much fluency. Skeens tested the Tauranga keeper when he cut in from the right but his left footed drive was comfortably dealt with. The ball then fell invitingly for Hendriks when a Westlake corner was only half cleared. The striker made good contact but his shot was straight at the keeper.
With 14 minutes left Westlake finally broke the deadlock when the industrious Bronson Kelly lobbed a loose ball forward and Hendriks’ speed and presence of mind put him through on goal. The striker chested the ball down and scored with a well-controlled shot past the advancing keeper. Westlake then dug in and saw the remaining minutes out with Luke Johnson and Greg Nimmo leading the way with belligerent defensive efforts.
Westlake Convincing Against St Thomas College
WBHS 8 – St Thomas College 1
Team: Finn Medemblik, Jack Pirie, Clarke Foulds, Luke Johnson, Greg Nimmo, Bronson Kelly, Daniel Lough, Sean Skeens, Oscar Ramsay, View Rungpao and Jaidyn Hendriks. Subs: Keanen Baghaloo, Trent Baker, Zac White, Breadan Acarapi and Matthew Wood. Scorers: Sean Skeens (4), Jaidyn Hendriks (4).
Westlake ensured they would progress to the quarter finals of the Lotto Premier Football tournament with an 8-1 win over St Thomas College of Christchurch.
Jaidyn Hendriks opened the score in the eight minute with a tap in from six yards after Sean Skeens had beaten two defenders and crossed from the left. Hendriks then returned the favour when he took a quick free kick to put Skeens through on goal and his striking partner scored with ease. The same pairing combined for the third goal after a Hendriks cross was met by Bronson Kelly whose shot was blocked only for Skeens to slip home the rebound. Half time arrived and Westlake were well worth their 3-0 lead.
Skeens had his hat trick minutes into the second half when he lobbed the stranded keeper after being released by Jack Pirie. Hendriks was then fouled in the penalty area before striking the resulting penalty kick against the post. Skeens then had his fourth goal, and his team’s fifth, when Keanen Baghaloo’s cross was headed back across goal by Hendriks for the striker to slot home. Hendriks made it six when he dribbled through the opposition defense and blasted home before some hesitant Westlake defending gifted St Thomas’ with a consolation goal.
Hendriks completed his hat trick when he was set up by Skeens and then matched his strike partner’s four goal haul when he curled a beautifully shaped shot into the bottom corner of the goal. The final action of the game saw St Thomas’ awarded a penalty only for substitute keeper Finn Medemblik to make an impressive save to deny them a goal.