Thames Football Club

During the first half of this Waikato Division B game at Huntly, Thames looked like a team that had just had a 3 week break. Despite a bright start, Dave Curnow firing a shot just over the bar and Pete Vukojevich having a header cleared of the line, Thames struggled to contain some fine play from the hosts. With Thames passes regularly going astray the home side took the lead when following some nice passing on the right side of the field the ball was whipped over for a Huntly striker to head the ball into the net. On the 30^th minute Huntly broke through the Thames defence and Thames keeper Taddy Ito conceded a penalty kick after bringing down an opposing striker. The Huntly penalty taker made no mistake with his kick, putting the home side two goals in front. Huntly extended their lead just before half time when another good build up and cross gave the Huntly player an easy tap in.

Thames came out for the second half a lot more focused and dominated the second forty five minutes of play. Thames had a great opportunity when Jon Vyce had a shot at goal fumbled by the goalkeeper; the ball broke to the well positioned Camm North who, with an empty goal in front of him, steered his shot past the post. Moments later Pete Vukojevich sent a pass through to John Mustafa, but Mustafa’s first time shot flew past the right hand post. Thames continued to press with Jon Vyce having an excellent shot saved by the goalkeeper, and a Pete Vukojevich effort smashing of the post. With just minutes remaining the referee levelled the penalty kick count when he penalised a Huntly defender for pushing Richard Elgie inside the penalty box. Jon Vyce stepped up to take the penalty kick only to see his kick saved by the Huntly keeper, the ball breaking to Pete Vukojevich who’s shot from a narrow angle rolled agonisingly along the goal line and into the keepers hands. A frustrating game for Thames ended seconds later, but Thames will take heart from their much improved 2^nd half performance. Thames FC man of the match was Ian Brett who continues to impress at full back.