2009 Waikato Regional

Club Team of the Year winner

 

New family member for Josh & Leila Billman HERE 

 

 

 


Melville v Taranaki
 
6.3.2010: Melville United have played out a scoreless draw with Team Taranaki in a preseason match at Gower Park.
 
It was a game which never reached any great heights, and in many ways did not deserve a goal, but if one was to be scored, the visitors - having their first outing of pre-season - looked the more likely candidates.
 
Melville were again severely weakend by player unavailability, with Steven Holloway withdrawing with illness and Wayne Bates and Gavin Douglas playing despite also being under the weather, in an otherwise largely inexperienced team. Doulgas several times asked to be taken off, while Bates was physically sick at the northern end of the ground.
 
Feature of the game from a Melville perspective was the decision to play young central defender Tyler (Yogi) Lissette as a targetman. It was a conversion that worked for Che Bunce, and coach Steve Williams was keen to replicate that experiment. Lissette will be better for the experience.
 
 
Melville Golf Classic
Date Change!
The 2010 Melville United AFC Summer Golf Classic, competing for the Brian Coe Memorial Cup, will now be held at Narrows Golf Club on Sunday March 21 (previously March 14), with tee off at 11am and contested under a social-fun ambrose format (playing the best ball).
 
Entry is open to everyone and we encourage all club members to participate, either in your own four - or we can place  you in a team. It's $50 a player, (includes green fees, prizes, after-match BBQ and liquid refreshments) or have your business sponsor a hole for $500 (plus GST) and enter a team for free. The after-match function will be held at the Melville clubrooms at the end of play.   There are prizes for the best dressed team, so put your thinking caps on and get your costumes organised.
 
 
 

Melville draw

27.2.2010: Melville United came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw in their pre-season match against new northern league recruits Matamata Swifts.

Melville were perhaps lucky not to suffer a second successive pre-season defeat after Matamata crashed home an eye-catching goal, and it required a slightly dubious penalty to equalise.

Both teams were struggling for players – Matamata to the extent that former Melville (and 2009 Wanderers player) Michael Kim kitted up for them.

Melville was hit hard by Paul Marflitt’s wedding, injury and Waikato FC’s ongoing season, while Declan Edge’s youth squad were also unavailable.

The Melville starting line-up was: Chris Burke, Shaun Kipara, Blair Cowley, Tristan Collins, Charlie Howard, Jamal, Marcelo Sosa, Steven Holloway, Aaron Watt, David Smith, Josh Billman. Subs included Asa Noorzai, Camilo Vangas, and Rory Noorland.

Tim Miller slammed the ball into the goal from distance after a Collins square ball across his own goal went awry and Melville were unable to properly clear and the start of the second third of the match.

Smith had a good chance to equalise when played clear by Holloway, who was again employed in a deeper role than last season.

But Matamata were guilty of the miss of the day when several players were unable to force the ball home from inside the six yard box.

Holloway equalised from the penalty spot after a quick break. Matamata keeper Tom Pamment took a free kick from well outside his area, but it went to Melville feet. Holloway played a long diagonal ball to Smith who beat his man on the outside and cut into the area along the goal line. He pulled the ball back, but in continuing his run, collided with Pamment, and a fortuitous penalty was the result.

The game provided an opportunity for a host of players to press their claim for first team inclusion, and the lad to do so to best effect was Shaun Kipara, playing at right back, after having played up front and in midfield in limited appearances last season.

He was industrious, skilful and regularly got to the byline, while was seldom bettered in defence. It will be a very good Melville squad that does not contain him this season.

Melville coach Steve Williams was among the absentees on the day, and his stand-in, Howie Bettridge, said in his opinion fullback was Kipara’s best position.

Bettridge was relaxed about the result.

"The day was always about possibilities," he said. "The fact we could still field a team with so many away showed the depth of the club is increasing. It was a good run-out.

"Holloway showed his class with his ability to roll off defenders but we just didn’t quite have enough players on his wavelength for him to make his mark."

For Matamata – who were without the injured Grant Cooper, but had Stu Watene playing up front – it was another respectable pre-season result. Anyone showing complacency against them this season will do so at their peril.

Melville are at home to Team Taranaki next Saturday.

# All Whites and Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was the guest of honour at Gower park on Saturday, in attendance for the three-day Star Soccer Academy programme, which attracted about 80 youngsters.

Hebert was the guest speaker at a dinner at the casino, which raised about $12,000 towards an overseas academy tour. Auctioned items at the dinner included accommodation, tickets (2) and changing room access to the Phoenix for the Newcastle match went for $2700, while an All Whites shirt to be signed by the All Whites squad in Mexico went for $550. About 130 attended the evening.

 

Bay Olympic edge inexperienced Melville
 
20.2.2010: Melville United were beaten 2-1 by a resurgent Bay Olympic team in a pre-season match at Gower Park.

But there was still plenty to commend from a Melville perspective, given the squad was without Scott Robinson, Charlie Hoyle, Dave Samson, Tewi Te Pou, Gavin Douglas, Paul Stewart, Joe Simpkins, LJ Pijnenburg, David Smith, Brad Scott and Che Bunce and instead featured eight of Declan Edge’s youth team players.

For Melville, Welshman Ceri James made an impressive debut in midfield despite nursing a toe injury. James is strong on the ball, with a good touch and distribution and will likely become a Gower Park favourite.

Jesse Edge, 15, produced a bright showing on the right flank and twice went agonisingly close to marking his senior debut with a goal.

Left back Grayson Sutcliffe returned to Melville colours for the first time in over two years, looking like a young version of Gavin Douglas.

Bay Olympic featured players such as Triss Clark, Nathan Strom, Nathan Strom, Yoji Tanabe, Tristian McCormick, Ross McKenzie, Andrew Campbell, Daniel Markham and Colin Gardyne.

Chris Burke started in goal for Melville and made three excellent saves in the first third, while at the other end Melville were guilty of not shooting enough.

In the second third Leighton Wills put Bay ahead when he shinned home from close range after melville failed to clear their six yard box.

Sean Kipara did brilliantly to set up fellow striker Josh Billman for an equaliser but the shot was scuffed and James curled a shot just wide.

Skipper for the day Steven Holloway, playing in a deeper role than usual in an inexperienced team, drew Melville level in the final third. James rolled a nice ball wide for right back Josh Greene to fire in an excellent cross. Melville had a couple of chances to score before the ball finally broke to Holloway, who thumped it home from about 12 metres.

Edge had a glorious chance to put Melville ahead when played clean through by Holloway, but keeper Clark came out best in the one on one. Edge will be better for the experience.

For Bay, Tanabe put one over the top he would usually score, but Graham Greene tucked home the winner about five minutes from time after Melville substitute Jeremy Prasad failed to clear.

The Melville starting line-up in a match played with rolling subs was: Chris Burke, Josh Green, Tyler Lissette, Wayne Bates, Grayson Sutcliffe, Marcelo Sosa, Ceri James, Steven Holloway, Jesse Edge, Josh Billman, Sean Kipara.

On Saturday February 27 Melville host Matamata Swifts at Gower Park.

# On Wednesday Melville Youth hammered the touring Melbourne youth team 11-1.

 U17s and Waikato women impress

14.2.2010: The New Zealand U17 women’s teams fought back from 0-3 down to draw 3-3 with a Waikato Invitation XI at Gower Park.

The match was arranged by the Melville United club in support of New Zealand Football’s "Females in Football" promotion which runs until next weekend.

Waikato pounced on sloppy defending to take a 12th minute lead through Jackie Prestwell. Pretswell added another good finish shortly afterwards after being played in by Sarah McLaughlin, and Holly Nixon expertly drilled home a third before half time.

But the New Zealand team ramped up the pressure in the second half, and showed the benefits of superior fitness to camp inside the Waikato half for prolonged spells.

Christchurch’s Hannah Wong showed good composure to pull two goals back, being nicely played in by Claudelands Rovers’ Kate Loye for the second.

Fullback Katie Bowen (Glenfield) levelled the match with a superb 25m shot which sailed into the top corner.

Both sides had chances to win the game, with Wong going closest, without managing to complete her hat trick.

The New Zealand team moved to three at the back in the closing stages as they went in search of victory, but a tiring Waikato team held on and a couple of times almost surprised on the break.

New Zealand U17 coach Dave Edmondson said the match had been of huge value in team preparation for looming internationals.

"As a national team it is very difficult getting meaningful fixtures, particularly at this time of year," he said. "It was a huge bonus today, playing against a team with a number of age group internationals, and in such hot conditions which gave the whole squad such a good workout.

Edmondson praised Wong for her goalscoring ability and Loye for her vision in centre midfield, and was also impressed by the front-running of US1 player Steff Skilton.

Waikato coach Andrea Timings said the game fulfilled its objectives of promoting the women’s game, given such a skilful, exciting and fast-paced competition emerged.

"It was great to see a women’s match of this standard being played in Hamilton in front of such a good crowd at this time of year," she said.

Youth match Wednesday
 
12.2.2010: Melville United Youth team will be playing a touring Melbourne U19 team in a match at Gower Park on Wedesday February 17 at 5pm.
 
It will be the tourists' fourth match in New Zealand after playing Hibiscus Coast, East Coast Bays and Oratia.
 
It will also be a further test for Melville Youth who scored a 1-0 win over Auckland-Manukau - who so far have a perfect record in the Lion Foundation Youth league's northern conference -- last weekend, despite also missing a penalty.
 
In light of that showing, Melville coach Declan Edge is confident his team will give perform well against the Australians, despite the majority of his players being under 16.

 

Pre-season training
 
13.1.2010: Melville United's first pre-season muster of the summer will take place at Gower Park from 6pm on Thursday January 28. Sessions will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays from then on.
 
The club invites all potential first team players, reserves, federation or youth team members to attend, including those from other clubs of from out of town wanting to try their luck, to attend.
 
Melville first team coach Steve Williams said the club would be fielding teams in the northern premier league, northern reserve league, a travelling youth league and the federation league in 2010.
 
"That leaves a lot of openings," he said. "Particularly for pre-season with a number of players tied up with Waikato FC.
 
Williams is working on a comprehensive pre-season programme with a number of friendlies already organised.
 
Melville's Wednesday twilight 6-a-side competition resumes on January 20.
 
 
 
        Ceri James

Melville signs James

11.1.2010: Melville United have signed Welshman Ceri James as part of their campaign to defend their northern premier league title.

James is a powerfully built midfielder or central defender who was, until this week, playing for Porthmadog in the Welsh Premier League. He is expected in New Zealand by the weekend. He had previously been with premier club, Welshpool for two seasons, making 42 appearances.

He has also played for Cymru Alliance side Llandyrnog United and played for Denbigh Town.

Melville coach Steve Williams, who had been chasing James for several years, said it was important to strengthen his squad in anticipation of a tough campaign in an expanded northern premier league.

"While we will have the bulk of last year's players back, over the past four seasons we have always called upon more than 20 players throughout the course of a league campaign, and I am expecting that to again be the case," he said.

Melville did not sign a guest player last season, after having used Matt Friel (US) and Ryan Harden (UK) in 2008 and Boomer Kotchin (US) in 2007.

Melville have offered Waikato FC the use of James for the final part of the NZFC season, but are still awaiting a response.

Meanwhile Melville training will start on Thursday January 28, from 6pm at Gower Park. All welcome.
 
 

 

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