Goal chances squandered

Story by: By PETER WATSON - The Nelson Mail - Photo by: By Chris Symes

A failure to finish in front of goal has cost Nelson Suburbs the chance to make certain of second place in the Mainland Premier Football League.

Spurning at least five gilt-edged chances to score also cost Suburbs their match against Ferrymead Bays on Saturday, with the home side hanging on to win 2-1 and cement fourth place in the league.

Suburbs coach John Slotemaker lamented the lack of killer instinct which he partly blamed on an "atrocious" pitch that was rutted and hadn't been mowed and made passing and controlling the ball something of a lottery.

"The state of pitch made playing quality football very difficult, it was like a Sunday pub game really.

"We tried to play smart by not trying to play out from the back and getting anything in the defensive third out of there as quickly as we could and into in the middle of park and further forward where we could play constructively.

"The game could have gone either way to be honest."

Suburbs created the better openings during an even first half, with young Solomon Islands striker Gagame Feni, who partnered Brandon Kay up front, breaking clear a couple of times.

"He had several one-on-ones with the keeper but because of the pitch the ball wouldn't sit nicely for him and he ended up fluffing the chances," Slotemaker said.

Instead, it was Ferrymead which took the lead on the stroke of halftime after Suburbs right back Haddis Aengari, who had just hurt his hamstring, was outpaced and the cross was smartly finished off.

Suburbs were back on even terms minutes after the restart when Feni finally found the net after racing through the defence and rounding the keeper.

However, Ferrymead struck back almost immediately.

"We fell asleep. Every coach and player will tell you the most dangerous time is when you've just scored and it was exactly what happened," Slotemaker said.

In a bid to get back in the game, centre back Mark Johnston was pushed into midfield and Casper Aengari replaced Kay, and it should have reaped a reward but the Solomon Islander twice wasted great opportunities to score.

"We pressed right to the end but it just wasn't to be."

While the loss gives Western a sniff of overhauling Suburbs for second in the final two matches of the season, Slotemaker said he wasn't overly disappointed by the result and was pleased with the effort of his young players who were again well led by Johnston and left winger Adam Smith.

"We're not so worried about results, we're safe in second or third and we can't win it, so we're just trying to play good football and blooding some players for next season.

"We're a very young side and lack one or two really experienced players.

"That's what we need and if we can find them we will be very competitive next year. We've got plenty of young players coming on and it bodes well for the future."

FOOTBALL WRAP

PPtsWoolston Technical 18 48 Nelson Suburbs 18 34 Western 18 29 Ferrymead Bays 18 26 Christchurch United 19 22 Nomads United 19 20 Halswell United 18 15 Burnside 18 13