Edgecumbe Soccer Club
Report on game played 19th June 1999

A fully committed performance was not enough to earn Plains Hotel Edgecumbe a share of the points in their BOP Division One game against Whakatane on Saturday. Edgecumbe had to take on their neighbours with a slightly depleted side, but were determined to give it their best shot.
From the outset Whakatane had a wealth of possession. Their good passing game put a lot of pressure on the visitors. To Edgecumbe's credit, resolute defending kept repelling the waves of attacks. Tim Tatham made a welcome return to the side, and had the demanding job of marking Whakatane target man Werner Richsteiner. Fellow backs George Elliot, Darby and Barrie Hawkes also stuck to their tasks well. Keeper Rhys Berghuis made a good job of handling the balls pushed through the defence. Just on half time, Edgecumbe came within a hair's breadth of opening the scoring. Whakatane cleared a corner, but Sjoerd Overdevest crossed the loose ball back in. It was headed across goal by Barrie Hawkes and striker Roger Hainsworth produced an overhead kick that just missed.
After half time Edgecumbe rearranged their formation. Overdevest was added to the centre midfield to join Christian Wetting, who had performed miracles combating the slick passing of the Whakatane midfield in the first half. This gave Edgecumbe more time in possession and strength in supporting the front runners. The game became more balanced, with Edgecumbe making quite a few raids that looked likely. Outside halves Sam Scrimgeour and Darby Hawkes used the width well to run at the defence. A snap shot from Bas Overdevest from 20 metres was tipped around the post. Sjoerd Overdevest tried a long shot which was bound for the top corner, and it was well saved by the Whakatane keeper. Both teams attacked strongly in their turns. Berghuis pulled off a good save from a well hit shot from Mark Cooper. Eventually the home team scored. A cross from a free kick was well headed into the goal.
Edgecumbe still pressed, and went close one more time. Tatham outjumped a defender and the keeper to head the ball just wide from 15 metres. Berghuis and his defenders had to battle to the end, the keeper did well to block a one-on-one with Richsteiner. The final result Whakatane 1, Plains Hotel Edgecumbe 0.
This was a very creditable result for the Edgecumbe team, who all worked extremely hard and played some good football. Tim Tatham was thoroughly deserving of the Riverslea Liquor player of the day award for his strong game at centre-back. The game was played in good spirit and was well refereed by Wayne Newson.