Melville home shocker
24.7.2010: Melville’s premier league top eight prospects took a battering with a 4-3 home loss to Waitakere City.
It was a roller-coaster match in which Melville twice enjoyed a first half lead, then slumped two goals down at the start of the second half, only to finish strongly and go close to drawing.
Even when ahead, Melville seldom looked comfortable, with the defence always have a brittle edge against a lively Waitakere attack.
David Smith put Melville ahead in fortunate circumstances when his attempted shot spiralled off the boot of a defender in the tackle and completely did the keeper from outside the area in the sixth minute.
But Waitakere struck back with a stunning volley from distance to Tom Edwards. It was one of the better strikes seen at Gower Park this season and gave Ally Houston no chance.
Steven Holloway put Melville back in front in the 31st minute, when he squeezed the ball home via a defender’s shin and just inside the post.
But Waitakere levelled again with Ash Solly getting the final touch in a depressing game of pinball in the Melville 6-yard box.
Five minutes into the second half Waitakere went ahead 3-2 when Wayne Bates could only back head a cross from Ashton Pett into his own net. It got worse four minutes later when Damien Fonoti mugged Jason Chewins and ran through to pot the simplest of goals.
Melville bossed the final 30 minutes and finally reduced the deficit in the 85th minute. Holloway turned his man in the box and was brought down, allowing him to convert the subsequent penalty.
But despite some promising attacks, the equaliser would not come.
Bot coaches later described it as "a scrappy match" contested on a difficult pitch.
"This is not an easy place to get a result," said Waitakere coach Malcolm MacPherson. "And I feel for you in these conditions."
Melville coach Steve Williams said his team had underperformed in most areas of the park.
"We got the result we deserved."
Melville are away to East Coast Bays next week.
Meanwhile the Reserves had a fine 3-0 win over Waitakere but the Old Boys lost 5-2 to Cambridge Legends.
Melville looking good
17.7.2010: Melville United have made a promising start to their northern premier league top eight campaign.
Melville beat Forrest Hill Milford – the team that turfed them out of the Chathasm Cup a month ago – 2-0 at Gower Park, with the scoreline hardly doing justice to the dominance they established in all departments.
This was a cohesive and commanding Melville performance which led credence to the view that they are a team which traditionally tend to hit their best form in the final third of the season.
Melville’s defence restricted Forrest Hill to a couple of long range shots, the midfield was effective at both gathering possession and moving it forward, and the attack created a string of excellent openings.
Melville went ahead in the 25th minute with right back Aaron Scott netting his first goal since returning. Gavin Douglas swept in a pinpoint cross from the left and Scott arrived on the penalty spot to expertly head downwards and into the net. It was good reward for Scott, who has been exceptionally tidy for Melville over the past seven weeks.
The second goal came in the 54th minute from one of a series of well directed set plays from Alex Barlow. His free kick was directed deep into the penalty area where David Smith got a head to the ball ahead of advancing FHM keeper Tamati Williams. With the keeper off his line it left Melville with the easiest of scoring opportunities, and while Tewi Te Pou might well have done the honours, skipper Steve Holloway pulled rank to make sure. If it was the easiest goal Holloway will ever score, it was also his 71st northern league and Chatham Cup goal for Melville, which has him steadily nibbling away at Mark Cossey’s all-time club record of 84 goals.
Earlier Barlow hit the crossbar from distance with a free kick, Scott hit the post after a surge down the right, Te Pou had a shot cleared off the line with the keeper beaten, David Smith went just wide, and Williams had a number of saves to make.
At the other end Ally Houston did not have to make any saves.
"It could have been four or five," Melville coach Steve Williams said. "We were very consistent, with a lot of neat and tidy play.
There were plenty of stand-outs for Melville.
Williams named midfield grafter Paul Stewart as his player of the day. Stewart and Adam Thomas kept the game flowing with precise passing and good movement in the middle of the park, with Stewart also adding the dimension of winning a lot of possession.
Williams also acknowledged the excellent technique of Scott and Jason Chewins at the back and probably could also have mentioned the role Wayne Bates and Douglas played in nullifying Forrest hill’s quicksilver attack.
Williams said Holloway had played an important role for Melville up front, holding the ball up and bringing team mates into play, and praised Barlow for his impact on the game.
Super-sub Alexei Davies-Campbell came on for a late cameo. While he did not find the net this week, his energy levels again gave the team a real lift in the final 15 minutes.
Forrest Hill coach Grant Machin said it had been difficult for his team with three players sitting on four yellow cards and a Chatham Cup quarterfinal next week, and they never got going.
Referee Stephen Fletcher had a superb match. Williams, who hardly ever comments on refereeing, said it was the best he had seen him officiate, with his decision-making bordering on perfect, and also showing plenty of common sense.
Melville are at home to Waitakere City next Saturday.
Other top eight results: East Coast Bays 3 Three Kings 0, Bay Olympic 2 Waitakere 4, Central 2 Metro 4.
Useful Top 8 draw
12.7.2010: Melville United will have five home games and just two away matches in the top eight series to decide the 2010 northern premier league championship.
Melville are at home to Forrest Hill Milford on Saturday, then host Waitakere City on July 24, before travelling to league leaders East Coast Bays on July 31. They are at home to Three Kings on August 7, and away to Bay Olympic a week later, before successive home games against Central United and Metro.
Melville's home form has been patchy this season, with four losses (including Chatham Cup) but the club is welcoming the opportunity to redress the balance in the Top 8.
Full draw HERE.
Six of the best for Melville
10.7.2010 Melville United have secured a berth in the northern premier league's Top 8 after an emphatic 6-0 home win over Takapuna.
It was Melville's biggest win of the season and thrust them into fifth place on the table, with all points carrying over to the top eight.
Takapuna looked a little light on talent, but that shouldn't detract from some crisp play from Melville, who were without Che Bunce, who was skiing,while Ceri James remained on the bench in his comeback from injury.
Instead it was quite a youthful Melville team which tore into its work.
In the eighth minute Jason Chewins fed Alex Barlow who crossed for Tewi Te Pou to score his ninth goal of the season.
Steven Holloway made it 2-0 after another slick Melville attack in the 22nd minute. Te Pou had a shot blocked and the ball fell to Holloway who was able to roll it home from the edge of the area. Two minutes later Barlow made it 3-0 in similar fashion. Holloway fed Te Pou and his shot was blocked before Barlow netted the rebound.
Wayne Bates got in on the act before half time, with a snappy header from close range after Chewins had headed square a free kick. It was Bates' third goal of the season.
Midway through the second spell Holloway made it 5-0 in messy circumstances. Barlow was fouled in the box, and the perpetrator, Michael Bahagiar, was sent off after what appeared to be an exchange of words with referee Nick Waldren.
Keeper Tim Staines did well to save the penalty, but Holloway then drilled home the rebound. Technically it was Holloway's first penalty miss for Melville since 2003, though he disputed this.
"A penalty was awarded and a goal was scored," he argued. "Where was the miss?"
Substitute Alexei Davies-Campbell scored an excellent sixth goal two minutes from time with a flicked header from a Barlow free kick. It was his third goal of the season in coming off the bench and was deserved reward after having looked sharp in training midweek, and hungry on the pitch.
Takapuna coach Clive Campbell said he had several players out injured.
"But that was a fine performance by Melville," he said. "Well done, Melville."
Melville coach Steve Williams described his team's performance as "fairly good" and was delighted with the determination of his squad.
"We saved out best for the end of the grading round," he said.
Williams nominated fullbacks Chewins and Aaron Scott as Melville's best players.
Table and results HERE. Top 8 draw HERE
Melville draw
27.6.2010: Melville United inched closer to securing a Top 8 berth in the northern premier league with a hard fought 1-1 away draw with Waitakere City.
It was Melville’s first draw of the season from 16 matches, and left them on 28 points with a home game against Takapuna to come, and seventh on the table. See table HERE.
To be mathematically certain of making the top eight Melville will need at least a draw against Takapuna, in match Melville is seeking to have brought forward to this Saturday (July 3) to avoid a clash with the Phoenix match in Hamilton on July 10.
Melville made a sloppy start against Waitakere and were punished when a long thrown in from the right was turned in from close range after five minutes. The goal was awarded to Dakota Lucas, though there was also a hint of own goal about it.
But five minutes later Melville responded in style. Tewi Te Pou managed neat interplay with Steven Holloway on the edge of the area and steered home a low shot just inside the post from about 16 metres.
Melville had a glorious chance to go ahead before half time, but Te Pou lost his footing with the goal open from a Holloway cross, and Che Bunce could not quite reach the rebound.
In the second half Aaron Scott had the ball in the net from a quicksilver move down the right, but the whistle had already gone to give Melville a free kick.
Substitute David Smith almost snatched a late winner, but his toe poke went across the face of goal, when played through, and inches wide.
The match was very even, though Melville were generally solid in defence. Ceri James did not play because of a sire knee, while Che Bunce dropped back into the centre of defence for the final 20 minutes, alongside Jason Chewins.
Melville certainly had their moments, though once again the quality of balls forward out of defence and through the midfield was low, and the crossing was often disappointing.
Wayne Bates guested with the aftermatch comments after coach Steve Williams decided he was not in the mood, and skipper Holloway had a curious attack of stage fright.
"it was good to see two teams out there today trying to play positive football," Bates said, before nominating Scott as player of the day.
"He’s the best right back in the country."
Meanwhile the reserves drew 1-1 with Waitakere, in one of their better results this season.
Melville concentrate on the league
20.6.2010: Melville United will concentrate on the northern premier league for the rest of the 2010 season after losing 1-0 at home to Forrest Hill Milford in the Chatham Cup.
If there was a consolation for Melville in bowing out at the hands of the Milfs for the second successive year, it was that it was a quality contest despite the usual Gower Park mire, and was settled by a wonderful goal.
In the 36th minute FHM rolled the ball sqaure from a free kick on the right flank. Chris bale hit it on the fly and it screamed over All Houston and into the goal from about 25 metres.
Melville had several good chances to equalise. In the closest, Steven Holloway also drove one from distance, but keeper tamati williams tipped it onto the bar and it rebounded to safety.
Williams was named player of the day for FHM.
Melville shortned their pitch, largely to avoid the bog that has developed at the northern end. in other changes, jason Chewins assumed the centreback role vactaed by Charlie Hoyle, with Paul Stewart retuend to the starting lineup.
FHM coach Grant Machin was delighted with the win.
"Ceers, that was a tough one,' he said. "There was some good football from you in the second half, while we did not really get the football out today," he said.
"But the goal that won it was as good a strike as you will see at this level.
Melville coach Steve williams was disappointed but not downhearted.
"That was a super game, a good contest," he said. "And what a great goal. We had a few chances, but should not be downhearted."
Melville are away to Waitakere on SUNDAY.
Beaten at home
12.6.2010: Melville stumbled badly with their top eight chage in the northern premier league when beaten 2-1 at home by Albany United.
The match marked the return of Che Bunce to action after months of layoff, but more alarmingly, also the end of a 4-match winning run.
Melville seemed well in control when Alex Barlow drove home a sweet left foot shot from the left of goal in the 12th minute after being played in by Tewi Te Pou. It was an excellent finish and well deserved by Melville, who dominated the opening 30 minutes.
However they failed to add further goals, and it was somewhat against the run of play that Todd Danks escaped down the right flank, beating the offside, and slid home an equaliser five minutes before half time.
In the 66th minute Leon Burgess scored what proved to be the winner, after Albany broke quickly on the counter attack.
If there were criticisms of Melville's play, they were too deep in defence, the passing in midfield often left much to be desired, and up front any combinations at all were very much the exception to the rule, as players looked to aimlessly flick balls on, or over indulged with too many touches on the ball.
Te Pou went close to putting Melville back in front midway through the second half when played in by Steven Holloway -- playing a slightly deeper role with the return of Bunce -- but Albany keeper Mike McMurtrie saved well at the second attempt.
Burgess was sent off for a second bookable in injury time.
"I'm over the moon," said Albany manager Alan Thompson. "That was a real hard game. Man, you guys are nuggetty."
He named McMurtrie as his player of the day.
Melville coach Steve Williams wondered if his team was guilty of complacency but paid tribute to Albany.
"You deserve a real good pat on the back for the way you played. You did extremely well."
He said Melville still needed one point from its last two games to make the top eight.
He priased the efforts of Aaron Scott in defence, and Charlie Hoyle in his final game before heading to South Africa to follow the World Cup finals.
Meanwhile the Reserves had an overdue 2-1 win over Albany, the Federation team beat Te Puke 3-0 and the Old Boys beat the Ewoks 6-0 in the Waikato Cup.
Melville are at home to Forrest Hill Milford at 2pm on SUNDAY.
Another Hill for Melville to climb
9.6.2010: Melville United have a chance to avange their early exit from the Chatham Cup last year.
Melville have been drawn to play Forrest Hill Milford - the club that knocked them out of the cup at the first hurdle in 2010 - at Gower Park at 2pm on Sunday June 20 in the third round.
In the cup last year Forrest Hill won 3-2. When the teams met in the premier league this season, Melville won 3-1 at Becroft Park.
Melville coach Steve Williams predicted a close game, but was delighted with the home draw.
Melville has opted to play the game on the Sunday rather than the Saturday as a promotional exercise, with the game being contested at a time when more club members can watch.
Northern region draw:
East Coast Bays v Auckland Grammar School
Melville United v Forrest Hill Milford
Takapuna AFC v Bay Olympic
Metro v Waitakere City
Albany United v Hamilton Wanderers
Three Kings United v Eastern Suburbs
Birkenhead United v Tauranga City United
Glenfield Rovers v Ellerslie
# Melville players Tyler Lissette, Alex Barlow, Adam Thomas and Tewi Te Pou have been named in the New Zealand National U20 Development Squad. The players have been invited to attend the New Zealand Football training camp for prospective players for the NZ U20 Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team at North Harbour Stadium from Sunday, 4 July to Thursday, 8 July.
At the completion of the camp the players invited, if deemed suitable, will be required to attend trainings twice a week in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch until the qualifiers in 2011.
Second win of the weekend for Melville
7.6.2010: Melville got over the first hurdle of the season in the Chatham Cup with a 2-0 home win over Papatoetoe.
The match never reached any great heights, but it was a worthy fourth successive win for Melville, who are now starting to build the feel of a winning combination.
Papatoetoe were dogged opposition, in that they did nothing, but did it all day. They showed absolute commitment, though mainly in the hope of forcing a Melville error which seldom came.
Melville dominated possession but could not covert it to goals until left back Gavin Doulgas chimed in with his signature move of a storming far post header from a Paul Stewart corner in the 50th minute.
How Douglas loves playing Papatoetoe. It was an exact replica of the goal he scored against Papatoetoe, in the same goal, on May 8.
Douglas nearly had a second from exactly the same spot, but it drew a fine save.
The goal looked to be enough, but Adam Thomas added a well taken second three minutes from time. A botched clearance fell to him about 30m from goal, and the Papatoetoe defence, expecting an off-load, parted like the Red Sea to allow him to dribble through and go around the keeper.
For Melville Aaron Scott showed his class at right back with fine technique and sound judgement with his passes and crosses. Douglas also had a good strong game.
Melville’s midfield passing again needed work. Jason Chewins stayed on the bench, but Ceri James returned to action. Scott Robinson had his first start in goal since April, but was taken off at half time, suffering from concussion after a collision late in the first half.
In other cup results, one time cup aristocrats Central United were bundled out 2-1 by Metro, the team Melville beat on Saturday, while Tauranga City United – captained by former Melville man Sean Goldsberry – upset premier league team Manurewa 4-2. Waitakere had to come from behind to beat pub team Brew Town 4-1, while Bay Olympic spanked their former club, Lynn Avon, 6-1.
Wanderers stayed alive with a 7-4 win over first division Mt Albert Ponsonby and Three Kings hammered Claudelands Rovers 8-1.
Melville beat Metro
5.6.2010: Melville United went a long way towards securing a place in the northern premier league top eight competition with a hard fought 1-0 away win over Metro.
Victory moved Melville into fourth place on the table with three rounds left to play.
Flashpoint in a generally tight match came in the 15th minute, when Melville sprung the Metro offisde trap. Paul Stewart burst from midfield to run onto a ball played through by Gavin Douglas. He got to it ahead of the advancing keeper and with one touch lobbed it into the goal from just outside the area.
In a game of few chances Stewart had a much easier chance in the second half but could not take it.
At the other end Metro carved out two good scoring opportunities. For the second, Ally Houston made one of the saves of the season when Metro seemed certain to score from a rebound from point blank.
Despite the significance of the win, this was far from being a vintage Melville performance. Ceri James was missed in midfield, where far too much possession was surrendured with poor passing, and the ball supply forward was haphazard.
But the back four worked manfully, while Houston was solid.
Melville are at home to Papatoetoe in the Chatham Cup at 2pm on Monday. Results, table HERE.
Grant Stantiall's gallery of youtube photos HERE
Another derby win for Melville
29.5.2010: Melville United's latest northern premier league derby win over Hamilton Wanderers was a bittersweet occasion for Welsh import Ceri James.
James scored his first goal for Melville in the 3-1 win over a spirited Wanderers team with a classy run into the penalty area to then expertly tuck away the opening goal in the 40th minute.
But on the stroke of half time, James was given a straight red card for a lunging tackle on a wet and slippery Gower Park. And it was a match in which his father John, who has just taken over as manager of Denbigh Town in Wales, had come 10,000 miles to see.
That dismissal levelled the numbers after Wanderers' Mark Jones had been dismissed in the 28th minute for a similar foul on Aaron Scott. Scott was unhurt, and played a key role as the provider for James' goal.
Wanderers also lost Joe Simpkins early on, though exactly what it was that prompted him to walk off the pitch after about 20 minutes, remains a mystery. Despite the cold, Simpkins found it a theatrical necessity to strip off his shirt and walk topless to the dressing sheds where he collected his gear and left the ground. Team sources suggested Simpkins, a Melville medal winner last year, may have been suffering from "a soft heart".
Five minutes into the second half Wanderers equalised with a great strike from Henry Hahn, who beat a couple of defenders before curling a 25m dipping shot over ally Houston.
Tewi Te Pou restored Melville's lead in the 68th minute with a goal which owed much to the precison play iof left back substitute Alex Barlow. David Smith nudged the ball behind the defnece and Barlow got forward and supplied the type of precision cross which had been too often lacking in the first half, for te pou to guide the ball home from about 6 metres.
Steven Holloway made the game safe with a 90th minute penalty after Smith was taken down in the area. The win pushed Melville up a couple of places in the table, ahead of next weekend's difficult away assignment against Metro.
Wanderers played better than their position on the table indicated and coach Mark Cossey said he was pleased with his team's efforts.
"I didn't think you guys created too much," he said. "You didn't dominate, but you did win the game."
In reply Melville coach Steve Williams - half expecting a sermon on Wanderers bad luck over the past 20 years - said it was the best speech Cossey had ever made.
Williams said the slippery pitch had been a major factor in both send offs.
"We need a pitch that is not so archaic," he said. "With a better pitch the players will be able to stay on their feet better."
He praised the efforts of Wayne Bates, and Charlie Hoyle and said it also helped having Aaron Scott back in Melville colours, but named Te Pou as his player of the day.
Six of the best for Melville
22.5.2010: Melville United have made an overdue return to form with a 6-1 away win over Lynn Avon – though typically had to come from behind to do so.
It was easily Melville’s best goal haul of the season, the first time the team have hit six since June last year, and the first 5-goal winning marking since September 2008.
But despite the return of Aaron Scott to Melville colours for the first time in 20 months, and the return of Ceri James and Jason Chewins from injury, there was little to suggest such an emphatic victory in the first 30 minutes.
Lynn Avon grabbed the lead against the run of play when Kelly Martin capitalised on a defensive error to bundle the ball home from close range following a free kick in the 25th minute.
But Tewi Te Pou restored parity within five minutes, neatly side-footing home a Paul Stewart cross from the left.
It was a calm and measured finish from Te Pou and much needed by Melville, who were playing with a lot of effort but disconcertingly little skill at this point.
The game changed in the second half on two fronts. Alexei Davies-Campbell replaced Josh Billman up front, and his energetic front running changed the dynamic of the game. And it helped that Lynn Avon, who had done so much more running than Melville in chasing the ball, also inevitably began to tire.
Melville finally nudged ahead in the 55th minute. From a deep corner Chewins nutted goalward a strong header and Wayne Bates expertly flicked it home from inside the six yard box.
In the 69th minute Steve Holloway established a margin of comfort in sweeping home first time a Stewart cross after a good crossfield ball from Scott.
Gavin Douglas nodded home a classic far post header direct from a Stewart corner six minutes later, Holloway drilled home through a forest of legs for No 5 and Tewi Te Pou supplied an injury time finish by dancing through the penalty area.
Despite the big win, there were still an awful lot of patchy performances. Some players looked rusty, Holloway was again playing off one ankle with limited mobility, and some of the defending was very messy.
Even though he never scored, Davies-Campbell was the stand-out, though man of the match was probably Melville coach Steve Williams for getting his substitutions just right. Josh Green (Bates) also entered the fray in the second half along with Alex Barlow (Chewins)
"What a change from 12 months ago," Williams said in his speech, referring to the close and dramatic contests between the clubs at Ken Maunder Park.
"It was very much a pressure game for us. The pressure was on big-time. It wasn’t a good half. It was a tricky little question we had to find an answer for.
"Alexei came on and added spirit and fight, and it geed the lads up and lifted everybody."
The win lifted Melville to eighth in the table, and within two points of fourth place.
Melville are at home to Wanderers – 2-0 winners over Takapuna -- on Saturday. Results, table HERE
Papatoetoe in the Cup
18.5.2010: Melville United have been drawn at home to Papatoetoe in the second round of the Chatham Cup, due to be played at Gower Park on Queen's Birthday (June 7) at 2pm. Melville beat papatoetoe 2-1 in the league a fortnight ago, and coach Steve williams welcomed the draw.
"It's not so much who we play but where we play," he said. "Papatoetoe pushed us hard last time around, but we are happy to have a home draw against anyone."
Melville are away to Lynn Avon on Saturday with a host of injury concerns. Dave Samson, Jason Chewins and Ceri james all missed last week, and Steven Holloway may require a fitness test before Saturday's match after rolling an ankle.
Melville beaten
Melville United have stumbled to a 3-2 home loss to 11th placed Manurewa in the premier league in a result which could hurt their top eight prospects.
Melville were bossing the match until keeper Ally Houston conceded a penalty in the 24th minute. He misjudged on a slippery surface and clipped the legs of Graham Kay in attempting to collect the ball. Stu Roberts converted.
Melville equalised through David Smith, who cleanly struck a low bouncing shot from the edge of the area after a goalmouth scramble before half time.
But Manurewa were back in front in the 50th minute when they caught Melville badly on the break. Kay had a clear run on goal and easily finished.
Substitute Alexei Davies-Campbell made it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go, heading in an LJ Pijnenburg free kick.
But though Melville continued to press for a winner, could not finish. Manurewa had Martin Rodwell sent off in the 90th minute for a second bookable offence, but then deep in injury time Smith was sent off for a second bookable offence on the left flank. Manurewa drove it into the penalty box and Kay applied a touch to grab the winner.
"We were lucky to win it," said Manurewa spokesman Stu Roberts. "We cleared nine off our line, but you couldn't fault our effort and we were dangerous on the break. You were very unlucky."
Melvile coach Steve Williams was philosophical in noting his team was without senior players Ceri Evans, Jason Chewins and David Samson.
"I was disappointed and despondent when we walked off, but things haven't changed. it is better to have a win and a loss from two games than two draws. We've slipped up, but things will get better."
He named midfielder Adam Thomas as his player of the day.
Melville are away to Lynn Avon -- who beat Manurewa 6-1 -- on Saturday.
Scott ships in
14.5.2010: Aaron Scott has transferred back to Melville ahead of United's home game against Manurewa on Saturday. Scott was disappointed to miss out on a berth in the All Whites World Cup Finals squad, but will complete the second half of the season at Gower Park after his summer campaign with Waitakere United.
Melville will again be without the injured Ceri James and Jason Chewins against Manurewa as they seek to improve upon their ninth placing in the league.
Meanwhile experienced Melville utility Jason Chewins finished third equal in northern premier league player of the month points, behind winner Imran Shah of Papatoetoe and Luiz del Monte of Three Kings.
# Melville's women's first team are top equal but trailling on goal difference in the Waiakto Women's A division after a fine 3-1 away win over leaders Claudelands Rovers last Sunday. Rovers, Melville and Cambridge all have nine points from four games. Melville are at home to fourth-placed Unicol at 11am on Sunday.
# Matt Williams won Auckland City FC Sportsman of the Year title for the second year running at the club's annual awards evening. The club said his commitment to the team over the past two summers had been unmatched, and it was through his style of commitment and sacrifice that the team was successful in Abu Dhabi.
Auckland called him "a fantastic warrior and one of our most consistent performers on the pitch" as well as being one of the most popular and well respected players.
"He is certainly a great credit to Melville United AFC."
Melville win ugly
8.5.2010: Melville United stuttered their way to a 2-1 home win over Papatoetoe which keeps them in the hunt for the northern premier league top eight.
There was little to suggest how bumbling and unconvincing Melville’s performance would be when they strode to a 2-0 lead within five minutes.
But ineptitude took centre stage for most of the rest of the match, and Melville mostly struggled to put together any passes beyond half way. Papatoetoe might well have earned a draw but for an exceptional miss in the first half, and some scrambling Melville defence.
Melville experimented with narrowing the Gower Park pitch by about 6 metres for this match, and it looked to have paid off early. Tewi Te Pou took advantage of a defensive error to race through and score after two minutes, and then Gavin Douglas made it 2-0 with a far post header direct from an LJ Pijnenburg corner.
It was Douglas’ second goal in successive matches and the airplane came out of the hangar for another well choreographed celebration. Unfortunately that was to be the last moment of real Melville celebration until the final whistle.
Melville still managed the odd shot, but there was little in the way of meaningful attacks as an inability or disinclination to pass the ball to fellow red shirts spread like a cancer.
By contrast Papatoetoe worked some sweeping moves, and were rewarded when Imraan Shah netted with a beauty from about 25 metres.
Steven Holloway briefly emerged from an otherwise obscure midfield performance to hit the bar from about 20m, 10 minutes from time. But while the ball bounced down onto on the line, it was cleared before Te Pou could nudge it over.
David Smith never came to grips with the narrow pitch and was eventually subbed from his flank role, though the dimensions did mostly seem to suit the Melville defence.
The real problem was in the attacking third. Sole striker Te Pou worked like a Trojan but struggled to receive balls played into him, and with Smith seldom involved it never gave Melville any attacking pivot to play off. Most Melville players struggled to keep the ball, or to pass it.
Melville coach Steve Williams said he would prefer to win ugly than lose prettily, and was aiming for a further nine points from upcoming matches against Manurewa, Lyn Avon and Wanderers.
He named Charlie Hoyle as his player of the day for an alert performance at centreback.
Papatoetoe coach Paul Hillis said he felt "hollow" because his team had deserved something out of the game.
However he was generous in his praise of the Melville set-up.
"It has been a long time since I have been in a clubrooms as alive and thriving as this one," he said in his aftermatch speech. "So you must be doing a lot of things right."
Meanwhile the Melville Reserves had their first win, 2-1 over Papatoetoe Reserves, thanks to a late Jamal goal.
Melville beat Milfs
1.5.2010: Melville United grafted their way to an important away win over a tricky Forrest Hill Milford team.
It was a reassuring result for Melville after some recent stuttering performances, and featured first goals of the season to senior defenders Wayne Bates and Gavin Douglas.
Melville weathered a lot of early pressure from a Forrest Hill Milford team which features a core of South Africans, including Grant young, as well as players such as Chris Bale and Tamati Williams.
Then, on their first genuine attack in the 11th minute, Melville took the lead. Tewi Te Pou got to the byline on the left and crossed low for David Smith to sweep the ball high into the net from just two metres out. It was Smith’s sixth goal of the season.
Five minutes later it got even better for Melville. Adam Thomas curled in a free kick from the left which the Forrest Hill defence failed to deal with. From the ensuing scramble Bates drilled the ball home from close range.
However the Milfs struck back with the goal of the game, when Sheldon Pillay rifled how an unstoppable shot from outside the area.
Melville continued to press and in the 36th minute Paul Stewart supplied a perfect far post corner for Douglas to apply a textbook downward header at the far post to make it 3-1. If Douglas has worked hard on his technique at attacking set pieces, he has worked even harder on his celebrations, and duly set off on an arresting little jig at Becroft Park.
Jason Chewins limped off at half time with a hamstring injury, with Stewart moving from the left side to centre midfield and Alexei Davies-Campbell coming on.
The quality of play deteriorated in the second half, and it became a war of attrition as Forrest Hill sought to reduce the deficit. Melville concentrated on defence and there was little cohesion going forward, but oodles of commitment.
It must be said that for perhaps the first time this season the refereeing was below the standard generally expected in premier league matches. The whole of Melville’s back four picked up cards, as did a number of other players, though they at least avoided the fate of Forrest Hill’s Aaron Root in being sent off five minutes from time for a second bookable.
For Melville, Stewart gave a gritty performance, Thomas came of age in midfield, and Charlie Hoyle doggedly kept Grant Young scoreless.
In goal Ally Houston made one unbelievable reflex save, and David Samson and Douglas were secure at fullback.
"We knew this would be a tough fixture and it was not a pretty game," said Melville coach Steve Williams. "But I feel like we have turned the corner."
Melville are however still ninth, one spot behind Forrest Hill Milford, but equal on points.
Forrest Hill coach Grant Machin said his team weren’t at their best.
"The football didn’t come out today,’ he said. "Your team picked the ball up and broke our play down with a good team performance."
Melville are at home to Papatoetoe on Saturday.
Meanwhile the Reserves lost 5-2.
Results, table HERE.
Gaffer unhappy with home loss
25.4.2010: Melville coach Steve Williams was exceptionally disappointed after his team were beaten 2-0 at home by northern premier league leaders East Coast Bays.
The game was evenly balanced in the first half, but remained goalless until the 65th minute, when centreback George Suri headed home a free kick.
Substitute Mauri Wasi then made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later when he turned in the box and stabbed home from close range despite three defenders being close at hand.
"I’m really unhappy," Williams said in his aftermatch speech. "On the first half performance we presented a decent case, but in the second half we lacked conviction, commitment and leadership.
"In fact it was a disgrace. It wasn’t that East Coast Bays got better, we got worse.
"I know the players are disappointed as well, because they are sitting together like sardines so that they don’t get picked off. But many will be having words with me midweek."
It was a relatively tight match with few shots on goal at either end. Jason Chewins had one piledriver go just wide from distance, while Steven Holloway was also just astray with an overhead kick.
But far too often, particularly in the second half, Melville failed to create anything with their supply of possession mostly dying on the flanks with players disposessed.
Chewins had an effective game in midfield, in the absence of Ceri James (injured knee) and Paul Stewart (in Australia), and had a torrid battle with Bays skipper Leigh Kenyon. However Williams said nobody’s performance was worthy of a player of the day. Chewins at least won the raffle.
Bays assistant coach Rod Groves said his team showed great character to gain ascendancy in the second half after failing to get out of first gear in the first half. He named weatherbeaten targetman Stu Bola as his player of the day.
Melville are away to Forrest Hill Milford on Saturday, having slumped to eighth on the table. Bays remain one point clear at the top.
Melville regain winning form
17.4.2010: Melville United made an overdue return to winning form in the northern premier league with a 3-0 home victory over Eastern Suburbs.
After two successive losses, the win bumped Melville back up to sixth on the table, ahead of yet another home game against high flying East Coast Bays on Saturday.
In a reprise of last season's premier league final, Paul Stewart - having his first start of the season - found the next in the 30th minute.
David Smith made it 2-0 four minutes after half time with his fifth goal of the season, and Adam Thomas made the game safe with his frist goal for Melville 10 minutes from time.
Melville coach Steve Williams was pleased with the result.
"Suburbs still have good players, but we played well enough to win and were deserving of the three points," he said.
Albon Houston made his debut in goal for Melville and was rewarded with the team's first clean sheet of the season, though veteran centreback Wayne Bates -- also having his first start of the season -- also deserves a share of the credit.
it was a re-arranged Melville team with LJ Pijnenburg absent because of a family funeral, David Samson injured and Gavin Doulgas at a wedding. Stewart slotted back into his engine room role, while Tyler Lissette played right back, with Bates and Charlie Hoyle in the centre of defence.
Results and table HERE
Melville women win
13.4.2010: Melville’s women’s team have made a winning start to Waikato competitions.
The first team beat Hamilton North 2-1 away on Sunday in a game coach Boair Cowley described as "a hard fought win in testing hot and dry conditions" while the second team beat Unicol Gold 2-1.
Melville trailed Hamilton North 1-0 at half time, but two well taken second half goals to player of the day Sarah Menzies proved the difference in the second half. Tasmyn Gaby-Sutherland also had a fine game at centre back. Melville are at home to Matamata at 11am on Sunday.
The second team led 2-0 at half time against Unicol Gold, and hung on despite an ambulance being called to treat their keeper’s dislocated shoulder. Midfielder Jess Mackintosh was Melville’s player of the day.
Meanwhile Clendon defaulted to the Melville U19 team on Sunday. The U19s will play their first match at home to Ranui at 1pm on Sunday, on the No 1 pitch.
Melville pipped at home
10.4.2010: Melville have crashed to a second successive loss in the northern premier league.
But not before launching a stirring fightback that almost saw them snatch an improbably point in a match which had more talking points than either coach – or even the refereeing fraternity - would have preferred.
Bay Olympic won 4-3, but were only just hanging on for the final whistle, having led 4-0 with 20 minutes to go.
Melville again failed to get through the first minute without conceding a goal, when Julyan Collett scored after 40 seconds. Colin Gardyne ran down the right and slipped a ball inside to where a centreback would normally be patrolling. Collett was untroubled to roll the ball home from the edge of the area passed Chris Burke, making his debut in goal.
Peter Norris made it 2-0 for Bay Olympic after a run down the left. His mid-range shot looked harmless enough and well covered, but somehow it crept under Burke’s body.
Alex Barlow looked to have pulled a goal back in making a break down the left, and held his space against fierce defensive shoving. He slipped the ball home but referee Stephen Fletcher ruled it out, essentially saying he had fouled the defender while dribbling in possession.
If that infuriated the Melville bench worse was to come. In the 32nd minute Fletcher awarded Bay Olympic a penalty. It was one of those instances that players and coaches hate, where nobody was appealing for anything, but the referee saw something nobody else did. Gardyne converted for 3-0 at half time.
Collett made it 4-0 with a header from inside the 6 yard box before the Melville fightback started.
David Smith expertly finished after being played in by a Holloway flick in the 72nd minute for his fourth goal of the season. And Tewi Te Pou turned in an LJ Pijnenburg free kick six minutes later.
It got even more interesting when Fletcher agreed with a Melville shout for hand ball and awarded a penalty. Holloway converted it, but Fletcher ruled a player had encroached on the area and ordered it retaken.
That prompted Olympic’s Nathan Strom to protest that under a law change such an offence meant the defendign team should be awarded an indirect free kick. (He was wrong, that only occurs if the penalty has not been converted).
Fletcher had already dealt more cards than a Mississippi riverboat gambler, and Strom, who had earlier been booked for pulling Holloway’s shirt, continued to protest, and received another caution and a red card.
Melville then pushed centreback Gavin Douglas into attack for the last 10 minutes, but while they several times went close to an equaliser, it did not quite come.
"We played well for 70 minutes and poorly for 20," said Bay Olympic coach Shane Knowles, naming Craig Wylie as his player of the day.
Knowles was also generous in his praise of Melville, picking they would make the top eight, and hailing the atmosphere at Gower Park.
"You have a fantastic club, it is always very friendly and I love your whole set up here," he said.
Melville coach Steve Williams said his team were felling the effects of essentially having no preseason together due to the NZFC overlap, and were only now working out what did and didn’t work best.
Ironically, after refusing to speculate on top eight prospects after earlier wins, in the wake of two successive losses he was more forthright.
"I think we have enough there to make the cut. In this league it won’t be about your first six games, it will be all about your last six."
He named Smith as his man of the match.
Meanwhile the Reserves lost 3-2, a short-staffed Federation team lost 3-0 to Te Awamutu, the Knights drew 0-0 with Claudelands, Melvile Cambodia went down 4-2 to West Hamilton and the Ewoks beat Unicol 5-3. The Old Boys lost 2-0 to Cambridge but more may be hard about that result after Melville-registered Josh Thomas turned out for Cambridge.
Melville are at home to Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.
