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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.
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