In the Tower Insurance premier men’s match yesterday, Tupapa found their usual style of playing and used it to secure their 2-0 win against Puaikura at CIFA Complex, on Saturday.
Puaikura came out aggressive on offense from the get-go, pushing the ball into Tupapa Maraerenga’s territory early and took any clear views at goal, but Tupapa’s keeper Rey Nalagon quickly denied Puaikura’s forwards Nathan Utakea and David Davida their chances.
A throw in on Puaikura’s half in the 4th minute of the game, pushed through to the goal by Anthony Samuela then deflected by Puaikura’s defense, made its way through to Tupapa striker Paavo Mustonen who then added Tupapa’s first point to the score board.
Puaikura found their first big scoring chance in the 7th minutes as David Davida found himself in front of the box with an open shot, but the mid-fielders snuffed out his chances at a goal.
After a relentless effort and some desperate defending, the determined Tupapa Maraerenga side managed to score their second goal in the second half of the match, the goal scoring machine Paavo Mustonen was too swift for Puaikura’s keeper Mel Oti who just missed the chance at sweeping the ball before it reached the back of the net.
On the other pitch, village neighbors Titikaveka FC and Nikao Sokattak FC played a well fought battle which ended in a 1 all draw. While Avatiu premier men’s team got back into their groove on Friday winning 1-0 against Matavera FC.
In the Islander Women’s division, Puaikura youthful ladies had the Tupapa women’s team on high alert in the first half, Tupapa who held possession of the ball and made many attempts at goal found it hard to put the ball through pass Puaikura’s backline. After a continuous contest for a goal, Puaikura’s speedy Nikki Smith managed to beat Tupapa’s strong backline and slipped through a nice ball right through the hands of Tupapa’s goalie.
With the score board in Puaikura’s favour Tupapa’s frontlines Kuramaeva Tare and Adriana Hauser made many attempts for a point but a blunder in front of the 18-yard box gave Tupapa a penalty in the last minute of the game, which was sought out by Elizabeth Harmon, ending the match at 1 all.
In the other women’s matches, Titikaveka and Nikao Sokattak were neck in neck and couldn’t manage to get through any goals which ended their match at nil all. Matavera’s women’s team have been on a roll with their wins since their upset with Avatiu in last week’s catch-up, and well enjoyed their 4-0 win against Avatiu on Thursday.
Full results are as follows:
U6 Mix:
Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Matavera FC: 2-3
Puaikura FC vs Titikaveka FC: 0-5
Matavera FC vs Avatiu FC
U8 Mix: 1-2
U10 Mix: 1-5
U12 Mix: 0-1
U15 Boys: 0-0
U15 Girls: 2-4
U18 Men: 1-1
Senior Women: 4-0
Premier Men: 0-1
Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC
U8 Mix: 3-0
U10 Mix: 7-1
U12 Mix: 2-1
U15 Boys: 8-0
U15 Girls: 1-2
Senior Women: 1-1
Premier Men: 2-0
Titikaveka FC vs Nikao Sokattak FC
U8 Mix: 2-3
U10 Mix: 1-4
U12 Mix: 2-3
U15 Boys: 0-2
U15 Girls: 0-0
U18 Men: 1-6
Senior Women: 0-0
Premier Men: 1-1
