1st XI Match Reports

PNBHS 1st XI FOOTBALL 2011

PNBHS v Napier BHS - July 4th
Vs Napier Boys’ High School Won 1-0 Super 8 10.30am A far from convincing victory over Napier sealed the 1st XI’s top of the pool position and a semi-final match against Tauranga Boys’ College who were second in their pool. In the first half the 1st XI’s errors, when we had possession, gave Napier opportunities and they were unlucky not to score from a free kick that rolled across the face of the 1st XI’s goalmouth. A well delivered ball from Wade Randle was headed home by Dom Squatriti in the 27th minute to give the 1st XI the advantage. The rest of the game had nervous moments, as Napier pushed forward looking for a win so they could qualify for the semi-finals. Everyone was relieved when the referee blew for the end of the match after five minutes of added time.
Goal Scorer: Dom Squatriti

PNBHS v Tauranga BHS - July 4th
Vs Tauranga Boys’ College Won 1-0 Super 8 semi-final 3.30pm The one nil result accurately reflects how close this encounter was. Tauranga were unlucky not to score towards the end of the first half but goalkeeper Andrew Drake was able to close him down. The second half saw JJ McInnes just put a ball over the crossbar and then one minute later Dom Squatriti hit a well-placed long shot beating the keeper in the right hand corner of the goal. The remaining 25 minutes were nervous times with both teams having opportunities. The 1st XI defence held strong and Andrew Drake made a superb save to deny Tauranga an equaliser. This was Regan Dewar’s 60th game and Wade Randle’s 50th.
Goal Scorer: Dom Squatriti

PNBHS v Rptorua BHS - July 5th
Vs Rotorua Boys’ High School Won 4-1 Super 8 final 12.30pm
There were a few nervous moments in the first five minutes when the 1st XI’s goalkeeper, Andrew Drake, took a kick to the head. Luckily he was able to shake this off, although he did comment later that sometimes he was seeing double when trying to gather in the ball. The 1st XI looked the stronger team and their defence was able to counter Rotorua’s strong frontrunners. It didn’t take long before the 1st XI scored courtesy of Regan Dewar who headed in from a corner; he was able to repeat this later in the second half. Rhys Janes, Year 10, scored by flicking the keeper and he was able to slot a further goal in the second half beating the keeper low and to his right. Rhys’s two goals and his effort on the park earned him the Player of the Final award. The game was marred by a whistle happy referee who reduced the 1st XI to ten men five minutes before half time. This was the best game the team played at the tournament and one of their better games all year. They showed on field vision and a dedication to achieving their goal of winning the tournament. The opposition coach at the end of the game simply stated, “you were too good for us”.   
Goal Scorers: Regan Dewar (2), Rhys Janes (2)

PNBHS v Gisborne BHS - July 3rd
Vs Gisborne Boys’ High School Won 5-0 Super 8 11am A cloudy and cool day with a firm but bumpy pitch saw the 1st XI dominate their first game of the tournament defeating Gisborne five nil. The 1st XI controlled much of the game and Gisborne’s keeper had plenty of work to do to keep the score at that level. Three goals in the first half meant Mr Burnley was able to get all five subs on to the park in the second half. The team were able to demonstrate some good passing skills creating space for the front runners to attack. Wade Randle scored the last goal, a brilliant dipping long range shot, and this earned him the MVP title for our team which was selected by the opposition. This was Wade’s second goal for the team in 46 appearances. Firdaus Smith made his debut for the 1st XI off the bench in the 58th minute.
Goal Scorers: Shamus Moffatt, Jordan Martens x 2, Dom Squatriti, Wade Randle

PNBHS v New Plymouth BHS - July 3rd
Vs New Plymouth Boys’ High School Draw 0-0 Super 8 3pm A disappointing result considering the skills the 1st XI showed in the morning’s game. The 1st XI generally failed to find the target and hardly made the New Plymouth goalkeeper make a serious save. The New Plymouth defence, once again, provided difficulties for the 1st XI’s frontrunners and the team was unable to adjust their on-field play to counter this. A number of 1st XI players need to lift their skill level especially when the basics of passing and playing a ball in to space cannot be effectively achieved. This was Richard Langley’s 50th appearance for the 1st XI.

PNBHS v St Patrick's College Silverstream - June 29th
Vs St Patrick’s College Silverstream Drew 1-1 This was a game that the 1st XI had a number of opportunities to win, but were unable to capitalise on some good attacking work later in the first half and in most of the second half. A sluggish start to the match saw the 1st XI struggle to match St Pat’s intensity and a goalkeeper error gifted them a goal in the seventh minute. This seemed to inspire the 1st XI and they improved their play creating some good chances in front of the St Pat’s goal. Shortly after half time Shamus Moffatt was able to score and the team had some chances, especially in the last 15 minutes. Andrew Drake pulled off a great save to keep the scores level. St Pat’s retain the Old Boys Cup for the third year. Better decision making during the game is something each player needs to work on as the 1st XI head to the Super 8 tournament in Rotorua this weekend.
Goal Scorer: Shamus Moffatt

PNBHS 1st XI Football v Francis Douglas Memorial College - Wednesday, June 15th.
Vs Francis Douglas Memorial College Won 6-0 The 1st XI secured their place in National Tournament with a comprehensive win over Francis Douglas Memorial College in windy overcast conditions in New Plymouth. The first ten minutes saw FDMC have some chances before the 1st XI got on the score sheet with a penalty taken by Levi McFarlane in the 11th minute. It only took two minutes before Dom Squatriti added to the total by being in front of goal when the keeper was unable to handle a shot. Dom was able to score again after a defensive error by FDMC left him with just the goalie to beat. The game was virtually over when Shamus Moffat scored for the 1st XI to take a four goal lead at half time. The 1st XI played some very good football in this half which was commented on by the opposition coaches. Playing with the wind in the second half the 1st XI found it harder to score but still dominated the play. Dom Squatriti was able to score twice in the last 11 minutes to seal the match 6-0. The 1st XI still have one more qualifying match to play against NPBHS next week. Although this does not affect their first place in the region it will decide who finishes second which should make for an exciting match.
Goal Scorers: Dom Squatriti (4), Levi McFarlane, Shamus Moffat

Saturday April 9th
PNBHS Vs Marist 2nds Won 3-2
Echoes of last week as Marist was also in the Federation League last year and like last week the 1st XI scored early with Shamus Moffatt chipping the ball into the goal. Regan Dewar completed a text book glancing header from a corner to put the 1st XI two up and soon after Shamus made it three nil. There were a number of close opportunities where the ball slid across the face of the goal but the front runners were unable to get a touch to them. Marist got a goal back just before half time which gave them some impetus going into the second half. The 1st XI lost some of their ‘go forward’ after the break and Marist scored another 14 minutes before full time. These last few minutes were a tense end to a match that the 1st XI had in the bag in the first half with their sharp play and good organisation.
Goal Scorers: Shamus Moffatt (2), Regan Dewar

PNBHS Vs Red Sox 1sts Won 2-0 - Saturday 2nd April
The Red Sox 1st XI was in the Federation League in 2010 which was one step above the school’s division. On paper this was going to be a tough opening game. The 1st XI showed good skills on a blustery day where the wind played its part in hampering well controlled play. Dom Squatriti kicked off the scoring in 2011 with a good finish from a corner in the second minute and added to this 29 minutes later to complete the scoring for the game with a brace of goals. The 1st XI had a number of chances from multiple corners in the first half and probably should have added to their tally. In the second half the team had to absorb some sustained attacks from Red Sox before finishing the game victorious.
Goal Scorers: Dom Squatriti (2)