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Melville players feature
8.10.2009: Two Melville players have finished in the top 20 in MVP points for the 2009 Northern Premier League.
Onehunga Sports Japanese striker Takayuki Omi was named Premier League player of the year after gaining 18 points over the season, with Melville skipper Steven Holloway runner-up with 12 points. Che Bunce was 17th equal with seven points.
The points were accumulated by opposition coaches nominating their opponents' two best players after every match. Their first choice got two points and the second choice one point.
Meanwhile Holloway collected the league's Golden Boot award at the northern league prizegiving last saturday. Holloway scored 15 goals in 20 league matches (and a further two Chatham Cup goals, which did not count).
Bunce was runner-up in the Golden Boot with 12 goals.
Lotto NRFL Men's Premier League 2009 - MVP top 20
|
Name |
Club |
Points |
|
Takayuki Omi |
Onehunga Sports |
18 |
|
Steven Holloway |
Melville Utd |
12 |
|
Nathan Coe |
Manurewa AFC |
11 |
|
Daniel Robinson |
Lynn-Avon Utd AFC |
11 |
|
Hoani Edwards |
Eastern Suburbs AFC |
10 |
|
Robbie Graham |
Papatoetoe AFC |
10 |
|
Chris Mason |
Metro FC |
10 |
|
Iwa Shaker |
Papatoetoe AFC |
10 |
|
Mark Atkinson |
Manurewa AFC |
9 |
|
Waldemar Frank |
Hamilton Wanderers |
9 |
|
Yoshitaka Ogawa |
Eastern Suburbs AFC |
9 |
|
Aaron Bawdekar |
Metro FC |
8 |
|
Allan Pearce |
Eastern Suburbs AFC |
8 |
|
David Richmond |
Central Utd FC |
8 |
|
Arash Sadeghi |
Bay Olympic |
8 |
|
Craig Wylie |
Lynn-Avon Utd AFC |
8 |
|
Che Bunce |
Melville Utd |
7 |
|
Albon Houston |
Manurewa AFC |
7 |
|
Daniel Koprivcic |
Papatoetoe AFC |
7 |
|
Prince Quansah |
Onehunga Sports |
7 |
CHAMPIONS!
5.9.2009: Grafting midfielder Paul Stewart scored his first goal of the season to clinch Melville United’s first northern premier league championship since 1995.
His 81st minute strike, from about 7m, came after Melville attacked down the right, with skipper Steven Holloway blasting a shot which Suburbs keeper Sean Dowling failed to hold.
The rebound spilled to Stewart at the far post, who held his nerve to sweep the ball home into an empty net with his right foot and see off the more experienced Eastern Suburbs team 1-0 at Gower Park, in front of the biggest home crowd since the club’s amazing Chatham Cup run of 2003.
Auckland Football Federation chief executive David Parker later called it a deserved victory in handing our the medals at the presentation ceremony.
It was a tight, even contest, played at a good clip, but with only a handful of real chances at either end.
Best of those fell to Suburbs striker Andrew Webber, who hit wide from about 12m when free on goal, while Stewart squandered a first half opportunity when he passed square rather than shoot when through on goal.
All the Melville players were solid, but special hero for Melville was right back David Samson, who returned from a quadracep injury to brilliantly nullify the threat posed by former All White winger Alan Pearce.
Pearce was barely noticed after a crunching early tackle on him by Samson.
"David is the most athletic player in New Zealand football," said delighted Melvile coach Steve Williams afterwards. "He is a machine. He was too good for Alan Pearce."
The presentation ceremony, conducted at the clubrooms end of the pitch in front of hudnreds of fans, triggered jubilant Melville celebrations, which continued into the dressing sheds, the clubrooms, and to varios bars and venues around town until finally wrapping up with Williams opening his wallet to shout a boozy Sunday lunch at a Hamilton bar.
The day brought a host of former members and players out of the woodwork, while dozens of sponsors and VIP guests watched from the club’s corproate area. Others gained vantage points on the new terrace seating and clubrooms deck seating.
Eastern Suburbs had a club jubilee function in the evening and did not enter the clubrooms. But that only left room for more Melville fans.
Williams spoke effusively about his players, his backroom staff and the administrative wing of the club, that had all contributed to victory from a season of humble beginnings.
"My coaching staff know I am No 1 and they are there to support me. They never question me or backstab, and are there for me," he said.
"This season the club has been successful in terms of creating a venue, with its administration, it’s bar and creating a social atmosphere. We have supported a first team, but still managed to keep a club as a club."
Williams named Samson as his obvious man of the match, which brought a clubrooms chorus of "we love you David".
But he said all his players had done an outstanding job.
He described schoolboy Tewi Te Pou, playing as left back, as "a gem", while he acknowledged at the other end of the experience spectrum that Matt Williams was now about to embark on a major adventure with Auckland City in the World Club Camps in Dubai.
He also praised the infludence of skipper Holloway.
"He is the silent achiever," he said. "He doesn’t make a lot of noise in the changing room, but he always makes his presence felt on the pitch, as he showed with another super effort today."
Williams also acknolwedged the refereeing of Mark Vincent. In a season where there have been many fine premier league refereeing performances, Williams said Vincent was as good as anyone on the northern panel.
"I was made up when I learned he was reffing us."
And he paid tribute to the administrative work of Auckland CEO David Parker.
"This is the people’s game, and David is a people’s man."
Among those returning to Gower Park was TVNZ reporter Steve Marshall, who was a member of the 1995 champion Melville team.
Williams wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons between his two champion teams.
"I look forwards, not backwards," he said. "What I am more interested in is how next year's team compares to this one."
Finally, in a cryptic message to some of his former critics, Williams said all he asked was to be remembered as "that painter from the other side of town who could not only win on the karaoke, but also knew how to win football championships".
See the Youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfpwdMZLIIk for Grant Stantiall's selection of celebration shots.
WARNING: CONTAINS SOME NUDITY
Aslo see more photos at
http://www.phototek.co.nz/galaaf2009/index.html
Bring your wallets to the Grand Final
2.9.2009 Melville United will be seeking a $5 "donation" from spectators at the Northern Premier league Grand Final at Gower Park at 2pm on Saturday. (Please note the early kick-off to allow for the possibility of extra time and penalties.)
Exempt from the charge will be sponsors, dollar a goal sponsors, Melville club card-carrying members and media.
Melville president Bruce Holloway said it was the most prestigious club football match to be contested in Hamilton since the Waikato United hosted Christchurch United in the second leg of the two-legged 1988 Chatham Cup final.
"We see it as an occasion which deserves to have its value recognised by a gate charge," Holloway said. "We have spent tens of thousands of dollars in improvements to Gower Park this season, including the introduction of terraced seats for the first time, and provided a full season of entertainment without charge. We think it is only fair to seek to recoup some of our expenditure at the club’s biggest occasion in six years."
The Lotto Northern Regional Football League trophy, and medals, will be presented outside the Melville United clubrooms by league officials at the conclusion of the final.
Please note that the Alison St carpark will only be available for players, match officials, VIPs sponsors, media and disabled on the day.
Auckland’s Mark Vincent will referee the final.
Meanwhile photographer Grant Stantiall has cobbled together a montage of Melville’s season photos on You Tube, which can be viewed at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=elvEgSmZmX4
# Thanks to all those who helped at the working bee last weekend, ahead of the installation of the final set of terrace seats.
And it has been another busy week at Gower Park, with 24 schoolboy first IXs contesting the Malcolm Cowie Cup. Teams include Fraser High, Matamata College and St Peter’s (Cambridge). The tournament ends on Friday. The tournament is being managed by Andrea Timings.
MELVILLE TO HOST GRAND FINAL
Williams stars in the late, late show with super winner against Lynn Avon
Melville United have earned the right to host the northern premier league grand final after a dogged major semifinal away victory over Lynn Avon.
On a day of high drama at Ken Maunder Park, Melville showed real character to twice come from behind to beat Lynn Avon 3-2 in a game which mirrored many events from a fortnight earlier.
Melville will now play the winner of the Lynn Avon v Eastern Suburbs match (next week) on September 5, with a slightly earlier kick-off to allow for provision of extra time. (Intending spectators should bring their wallets.)
There were many heroes for Melville, but for clinical finishing under pressure, none could match Matt Williams, who expertly scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute.
Melville drilled the ball in the from the right flank, Steven Holloway cleverly headed it down backwards to Williams, whose movement took him leftwards past a defender with his first touch. He steadied, and with his left foot, perfectly squeezed the ball past advancing Lynn Avon keeper Danny Robinson and into the corner of the net to spark wild celebrations.
It meant Meville have next weekend off -- which was just as important to Williams.
"I was always taking the wife to Rotorua next Saturday, so we had to win today," he said.
The goal was good reward for Williams, restored to the centre of midfield in a rejinked Melville team. Williams had come under criticism in recent weeks for not producing performances wide on the right in keeping with his senior stature in the team, but if you ever needed somebody to score a goal to save your life in the last minute, Matt’s your man.
Earlier another roller-coaster day started in dire circumstances... FULL REPORT HERE
Results HERE.
Always next time
Melville United have had to settle for second place in the northern premier league – but with top-four playoffs still to come – after being beaten 3-2 away by new champions Lynn Avon United.
It was an intense battle between the two top teams in the league, in fron tof a large crowd at Ken Maunder Park. But Lynn Avon came from a goal down to win against a Melville team reduced to 10 men when Charlie Hoyle was sent off in the 40th minute.
Melville drew first blood when Nathan Strom deliberately handled to intercept a dangerous Che Bunce cross from the right. Steven Holloway effortlessly tucked the peanlty away past Danny Robinson.
But the Lynns struck back within 20s of the kick-off, with Livill Titus getting a head to a cross.
Then disaster strukc, with hesitatancy in the Melville defence. Yoji Tanabe steered the ball goalward and Hoyle cleared off the line with his elbow. He was sent off and Robbie Greenhalgh converted the penalty.
Melville bravely battled back to 2-2 with a fine equaliser six minutes into the second half. Dave Samson crossed deep from the right, Holloway beat his man at the far post and laid the ball off for Bunce who nicely drove it home from about 12m.
But prospects of a miracle comeback – Melville beat Lynn Avon with 10 men earlier in the season – evaporated when Tanabe took advantage of melville’s need to attack by slamming in a fierce shot past a thinly spread three-man defence.
Until the send-off it had been a very even contest, and is likely to be again when Melville returns for the playoffs in a fortnight. But if Melville had a problem, it was getting quality ball forward from midfield.
After the match coach Steve Williams thanked the travelling Melville Red Army, but acknowledged Lynn Avon’s achievement.
“You have had a super season,” he said. You have led the league for all but a couple of weeks.
“I feel with us and Lynn Avon it is like two brothers going out on a Friday night and looking for a girl, and them ending up with the one you really wanted.
“But what a good season it has been form Melville. We will try to take the good things out of this season. We will be back in two weeks, then look forward to a grand final at Gower Park.”
Lynn Avon coach Shane Knowles said his team had much respect for Melville.
“We are like a family with you guys.”
Melville at least won the post-match karaoke, with Steve “Ringo Starr” Williams scoring the winner with You’re Sixteen.
Meanwhile the Ewoks scored a massive 8-0 victory, with the team notable for fielding six Mikes in the line-up.
1.8.2009: Melville need to win their final match – away to Lynn Avon – to win the league, after slipping up in atrocious conditions against third-placed Eastern Suburbs at Gower Park.
Melville lost 1-0, with the decisive goal coming in the 92nd minute, from a goalmouth scramble following a corner. It meant Lynn Avon, 4-0 winners over relegated Bay Olympic, leapfrogged Melville and took a one point lead.
Nobody was quite certain who got the last touch, or who the ball came off in a packed penalty area, with about three Suburbs players claiming it, and Che Bunce desperate not to have it credited to him. It was eventually awarded to Dan Jones, though German referee Mirko Benishce – who had an excellent game – said he had no idea who scored.
It was Melville’s first league loss in 12 outings, but it was hard to begrudge Suburbs victory. They passed the ball far better in tricky conditions, with former Waikato man Hoani Edwards bossing the midfield, and created far more chances.
Melville twice had to clear off the line from goalmouth scramble situations and did not create enough chances themselves after a couple of promising early moves.
The best of those came midway through the first half when Steve Holloway got in behind the defence on the right flank and cross perfectly for David Smith.
With just the keeper to beat from a few metres out, Smith opted to take a touch and jink inside a coverign defender, but his eventual shot was brilliantly saved by Sean Dowling.
Dowling was later named their man of the match for that save. LJ Pijnenburg was best for Melville, playing at centreback.
Melville coach Steve Williams was relaxed about having to beat Lynn Avon away next week.
"That was always the plan," he said, telling his players not to feel too down.
A top four series is due to be played at the end of the league, though Auckland Football has still not released a schedule. Results, table HERE.
Meanwhile other Melville teams had roller-coaster days. The Reserves lost 4-3 to Claudelands Rovers after leading 3-0, while the Ewoks were 3-0 down before winning 4-3 over Hamilton North with a last gasp effort. The Old Boys needed an 89th minute glancing header from Stu Timings to salvage a 1-1 home draw against lowly Otorohanga.
Melville women fire up
26.7.2009: Super stand-in coach Andy Murray inspired Melville United women to a thrilling 3-2 home win over Claudelands Rovers in Waikato women's A division football.
Victory has moved Melville back into third place in table, behind Hamilton North and Cambridge.
Murray, deputising for the unavailable Scott Robinson, delivered a powerful pre-match motivational seminar to the women which prompted much self-reflection on what it required to win, and led to the team firing on the pitch.
Melville took a 2-0 lead through Tina Phillips and Maree Furniss, only for Rovers to draw level.
But 10 minutes from time Stephanie Murray clinched the game with a far post winner. Full story HERE.
# Melville Brainiacs showed their all-round skills in winnign the Hamilton Girls High football fundraising quiz at The Cook on Sunday night, sweeping all before them, including a second Melville team. The Brainiacs team, which knew almost everything, included club vice president Raj Naidu, Stu and Andrea Timings, Peter Honnan and quiz specialist Phil Wheatley.
Derby win takes Melville top!
25.7.2009: Melville United moved two points clear at the top of the Lotto Premier League after yet another derby win over Hamilton Wanderers.
Victory not only extended the decades-long record of not losing to Wanderers in the northern league, but also put Melville in the box seat to win the title, with two games remaining. Previous leaders Lynn Avon were upset 4-1 by Papatoetoe.
Melville are at home to Eastern Suburbs on Saturday and then play second-placed Lynn Avon – the only club capable of pipping them – in the final match (ahead of a newly introduced top four series).
It was at times a torrid encounter with Wanderers, and New Zealand’s top referee, Peter O’Leary, had made five bookings before half time.
But the atrocious state of the boggy pitch often conspired against genuine free-flowing football, particularly on the flanks, where something has gone badly wrong with the Porritt Stadium drainage
Melville made a brilliant start in which they camped in Wanderers territory, and Matt Hastings potted a super goal after five minutes.
Steven Holloway received the ball from a thrown in on the left, turned and played a diagonal crossfield ball in behind the Wanderers defence. Matt Williams collected and had his shot from the edge of the area saved. It rebounded to Che Bunce, who struck well, but had it headed off the line, however it then fell to Hastings, who lashed home from about 18m with a right foot shot high into the net.
It was a sweet moment for Hastings in what is likely to be his final game for Melville, because he is moving to Napier to take up a job managing an early childhood learning centre (and looking to play for Hawke’s Bay in the summer).
Melville had further good scoring opportunities with Bucne have a crisp shot saved, Holloway going narrowly over the top from distance, and Hastings and Bunce just failing to get a touch on a Holloway cross.
Wanderers also had chances, particularly with a couple of headers.
Melville gained a margin of comfort early in the second half. Holloway attacked down the left and fed Hastings, who crossed for Williams to net his first goal of the season with a header from close range, after Paul Stewart had also almost turned the ball home.
As the half progressed, Melville concentrated on securing the win rather than extending the margin. Bunce went back to centre back alongside a very steady LJ Pijnenburg for the last 20 minutes, and Williams moved from the right flank to central midfield.
Melville also gave the bench a run in the final 20, with Joe Simpkins, David Smith and Tewi Te Pou playing a part.
Te Pou had a very good shout for a penalty turned down late in the match.
Wanderers coach Mark Cossey said he was not disheartened by yet another loss to Melville in which his team had failed to score.
"As a derby, it was one of the best I have seen for a while," he said.
"You are a strong side – you’ve got 40 goals -- we are a young side."
In the absence of a sound system for speeches at Wanderers, Melville coach Steve Williams spoke into a television remote control device, though complemented Wanderers on having fixed their light bulbs this year.
"The side you have got competed excellently. I know you felt a 2-0 win didn’t justify the game," he said to Cossey. "But I felt it did.
"For 15-20 minutes we got carried away and it was State of Origin."
"But I am quite happy to have two clean sheets against you. Take nothing away from my lads."
Williams said it was scandalous that over $100,000 of ratepayers’ money had been spent on the Porritt pitch, when it seemed worse than ever.
"We need to write to our councillors or get the media to have a look at this," he said.
Williams singled out Wanderers youngsters Matt Gibbons and Michael Built as being their most effective players.
For Melville, he praised the efforts of Scott Robinson in goal and Matt Williams on the flank and in the middle.
But he again gave man of the match to skipper Holloway, under whom Melville have never lost a northern league game.
In a club career interrupted by a four-year scholarship in New Jersey, this was Holloway’s 100th first team game for Melville, in which he has scored 60 goals.
He was presented with the Melville "100 games" medal, but did not speak. He could not get the "microphone" to work.
Tables, results HERE.
Meanwhile the Melville Reserves had a good 4-0 home win over Otorohanga, the Ewoks drew 3-3 after trailing 3-1 with 10 minutes to go, and the Old Boys lost 4-2 to West Ham, despite a Shane Comber goal and a penalty from Gary Monaghan.
Melville return to winning form
18.7.2009: Melville moved to within one point of the lead in the Lotto Premier league with a hard-fought 2-0 home win over bogey team Onehunga Sports.
In other matches league leaders Lynn Avon were held 2-2 by Central United, while third-placed Eastern Suburbs were rolled 3-2 by Papatoetoe. It means with the nine point buffer back to third, Melville are assured of at least finishing second – and will win the league if they win their final three matches.
Conditions were difficult at Gower Park, with a bumpy slippery surface and a south-westerly wind which approached gale force at times.
Melville had some good first half chances, with Josh Billman and Steven Holloway drawing fine saves from Ross Nicholson, and Matt Hastings not quite able to take a close-range chance.
Melville finally took the lead in the 56th minute. Holloway flicked on a throw in, but Nicholson failed to hold it, and the ball spilled to right back Josh Billman, who drove home for a very valuable goal.
Melville dominated possession in the second half, with the assistance of the wind, but the outcome was still in doubt right until the end. Tewi Te Pou came on as sub in injury time, and in the 95th minute cracked home a beauty to finally give Melville a margin of comfort. Te Pou collected the ball outside the area on the right, took a touch goalward and slammed the ball home along the ground for his third goal of the season.
It was a tough physical match and there were six bookings in the match, including cards for Cam Mitchell, Matt Williams and LJ Pijnenburg.
For the second successive week Pijnenburg didn’t quite finish the 90 minutes because of a popped shoulder.
Melville coach Steve Williams was delighted with the win.
"If you look at the league, it’s not bad with results in the past few weeks showing every team is capable of beating anyone," he said. "All it needs is a couple more teams in there and hopefully that can be fixed next season.
Williams praised keeper Scott Robinson for his fourth clean sheet of the season, and Holloway for his fine forward play, but gave player of the day to Billman.
Billman, in his 159th first team match, has long been Mr Versatile for the team, and as well as his goal, added steel at right back.
Onehunga assistant coach Stuart Mair said the Gower Park pitch needed work -- though so did his own club’s pitch – but wished Melville all the best.
"I couldn’t be more happy if you got up as a club and won the league," he said.
He vowed Onehunga would be highly motivated for their bottom of the table clash with Metro next week.
Meanwhile Melville Reserves lost 3-1 away to Federation League leaders Taupo, whiole the Old Boys went down 2-1 to Waikato Unicol. Table, results, HERE.
Another game, another draw
11.7.2009: Melville United were held to their third successive premier league draw after finishing 1-1 away to Manurewa.
But with leaders Lynn Avon being hammered 4-1 by eastern Suburbs, the result put Melville within striking distance (three points of the league lead, and with the best goal difference on the table.
It was not a day for patterned football at Memorial Park, with rain throughout and a sloppy surface, on which the match was always more likely to be determined by an error than creativity.
It was a rearranged Melville team which took the park, with LJ Pijnenburg making his season debut at centreback in place of the injured Wayne Bates, Matt Williams filling in for the suspended Che Bunce up front, and Josh Billman and Cam Mitchell playing in the centre of midfield in the absence of Paul Stewart (in Australia).
Melville took the lead after about 10 minutes when skipper Steven Holloway headed home a Matt Hastings free kick via the crossbar. Wlliams had earned the free kick wide on the right, just beyond the penalty area, and Holloway outjumped his marker for his 15th goal in 15 league and cup matches this season.
But four minutes later Manurewa equalised after a short-passing move down the right. The Melville defence stopped, in the expectation of an offside which never came and Stu Roberts had an easy opening to equalise.
Scott Robinson made several important saves, including from one stunning volley on the turn, but Melville managed few shots in the remainder of the match. Melville had plenty of possession, but the quality of balls forward was seldom accurate, or the build-up was too slow.
By contrast, Manurewa were always dangerous on the break in looking to get in behind Melville.
Melville did have a couple of worthy shouts for penalties turned down, particularly against Williams late in the second half. But on the balance of play, the result was a fair one.
In the second half David Samson went off with a quadraceps injury, while Pijnenburg left the field with a dislocated shoulder as the injury woes continued for Melville.
Melville coach Steve Williams described the conditions as "atrocious" but acknowledged Manurewa were "a good little side". He praised Robinson’s keeping --- though Scotty finished the day with a damaged knee – and named Billman and Mitchell as his combined players of the day.
Manurewa coach Mark Armstrong said he was rapt with the result in a match which had a cup tie flavour.
"Melville are a quality side, a professional outfit.
He named former All White Mark Atkinson as his player of the day.
At the aftermatch Melville president Bruce Holloway presented Atkinson with a (signed) Carlton shirt he had worn in an Australian national league final in the late 90s, and given to a fan. Grant Stantiall eventually acquired it, and as he is dispersing his shirt collection, asked that it be returned to Atkinson.
Atkinson was delighted to have such a memento from his professional career.
Tables, results HERE.
Oh dear, another draw
27.6.2009: Melville United slipped up in their chase for Lotto Premier League title honours with a 2-2 home draw against previously bottom-placed Metro.
This week’s draw was far less acceptable than last week’s away to a rapidly improving Central.
There was little warning of such a result in the first half, when Melville completely dominated and took a 1-0 half-time lead. But in the second half Melville largely surrendered the initiative and showed their defensive brittleness to conceded two quick goals, before bouncing back with a fine equaliser.
The result means league leaders Lynn Avon have extended their advantage to four points, though ironically Melville have further extended their margin in second place, with a gap of eight points back to three clubs on 19 points.
Metro played with great commitment and physical endeavour, but were well outplayed by Melville in the first half.
However the only reward Melville had to show for their dominance was a composed piece of finishing by Steven Holloway. He benefited from a perfect through ball by Matt Williams, who pounced on possession in the attacking third. It was Holloway’s 14th goal in 14 matches this season (12 in the league).
Holloway also found the net with a header but it was ruled out for offside.
Metro stunned Melville with two quick goals at the start of the second half. Chris Mason capitalised on some erratic defending to run through the middle and score, and two minutes later again scored off a header. The goal was initially attributed as an own goal, but later given to Mason.
Melville rallied, but service to their strikers was haphazard, until the 76th minute.
Dave Samson knocked in a right flank free kick which Holloway headed on and left back Gavin Douglas expertly volleyed home from about 12 metres for his fourth goal of the season. It was a slick piece of work by Douglas, who always looks dangerous when he gets forward.
But there was no fairy tale finish for Melville, and it was Metro celebrating after the final whistle, having lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with the point.
There were a host of bookings in the match, including a dual yellow-carding of Bunce and Holloway after they engaged with referee Glen House over a decision.
Far more deserving of sympathy was Samson, who copped the worst head-scratcher of the day. He showed brilliant technique to win the ball at right back and initiate a counter-attack, only to be mysteriously booked for a piece of international-class defending. Metro’s Matt Cunneen was also booked for dissent.
Metro coach Mickey Byrne was delighted with the result.
"You should have been 5-0 or 6-0 up in the first half, but on our second half performance we deserved the draw," he said.
In a speech peppered with industrial language, Byrne gave a racially dubious explanation of why Mason was his player of the day -- and continued with lively comments.
"I don’t like Lynn Avon, so I hope you win the league," he said.
"You have a great club and a great little set-up, and we love coming down here.
"I‘d have Buncey, Holloway, Williams and the No 7 (Hastings) in my team,"
In reply Melville coach Steve Williams said Byrne could have Bunce, who he said had shown poor judgement in getting himself booked, and was now suspended for Melville’s next game, away to Manurewa.
"You (Metro) came down with a plan, and it worked," Williams said.
While disappointed with the result, he was realistic.
"Pre-match people were saying we could win 6-0, but football isn’t like that."
He praised the performances of Douglas and Matt Williams, but gave player of the day to skipper Holloway, who battled effectively up front despite carrying an injury, and playing on painkillers, which kept him at 85 per cent.
Meanwhile Melville reserves beat Wanderers 3-1 in the Federation League after making a cracking start in which they scored twice in the opening 10 minutes.
Table, results HERE.
Josh Billman, a verteran of over 100 first team games, smacked one home from a tight angle on the left at the near post after seeing Wanderers keeper Adam O’Rourke moving towards the far post.
Charlie Howard made it 2-0 with a fine finish and in the second half Marcelo Sosa netted from the penalty spot. It was a good result for Melville, who will be without their top scorer, Gary Kingi, for the rest of the season after he slipped a disc in his back last week.
The Old Boys had their moments but lost 2-4 at home to Claudelands Rovers.SUNDAY: Melville Women’s first team lost 0-3 at home to league leaders Hamilton North.
"We didn’t deserve to lose by three," said coach Scott Robinson, while at the same time acknowledging what a good side Ham North were.
The women’s second team were beaten 3-1 by Waikato Unicol.
Melville battle to thrilling draw
20.6.2009: Melville United remain in second place in the northern premier league after a hard-fought 1-1 away draw with a strong Central United team.
With league leaders Lynn Avon also drawing (3-3 with Onehunga Sports) Melville stayed two points behind in second place, but were quite happy with a point away from home against a Central team that was significantly stronger than when the two teams met earlier in the season.
The Cnentral squad included NZFC players Grant Young, Keryn Jordan, Sam Campbell, Greg Uhlmann, Jonathan Raj, Ian Hogg and Liam Little.
While the result was less that perfect, and there were less goals than usual, it produced arguably Melville’s best football since the away win over Eastern Suburbs
Rather than their usual slow start, Melville began with urgency and purpose and dominated the first 30 minutes.
But it was Central who almost went ahead, midway through the first spell, twice hitting the crossbar from close range within seconds.
Melville also had their chances, with Che Bunce lashing a left footer from outside the area, and Steven Holloway drawing a good save from a free kick and heading just over.
Melville took the lead about four minutes into the second half. Skipper Steven Holloway got the better of the Central defence down the right, got in behind the back four and crossed low to the far post where Matt Hastings swept the ball high into the net.
Shortly afterwards Melville disbanded the probing Holloway-Bunce combination up front, with Bunce pushed back firstly to midfiled, then to centre back and Holloway continuing as a lone striker.
But about 15 minutes from time Central equalised through Grant Young. It was a well-taken, but slightly freakish goal, after Melville gave away possession and had the misfortune to see the otherwise well-performed Charlie Hoyle fall over, giving Young a path to goal down the left. He squeezed home a shot at the near post which crept over the line through a maze of limbs.
Coach Steve Williams said he was delighted with a point against opposition he predicted would not lose again this season if they retained the same squad.
"This was always a tough fixture," he said. "They are a solid side, and this was always going to be a big ask. It turned out to be one of our most competitive fixtures of the season.
Williams said Holloway had been terrific up front but centreback Charlie Hoyle was his player of the day.
"He is a lad of great stature and one to watch."
Central coach Peter Martin said he was also very happy with a point.
"You will go close to winning the league with the side you have got," he said.
But he also had a barb for Holloway.
"I agree Steven was excellent, but he could be Italian with the way he falls over all the time."
Holloway later wondered whether Central had even considered being a bit more judicious with their challenges if they were so concerned about opponents falling over.
He finished the day under an injury cloud, with a rib problem – unlikely to have been caused from falling over.
Table and results HERE. See also: Captain's Blog. Meanwhile the Melville reserves lost 0-3 away to Federation League leaders Matamata Swifts.
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