Avon struggled to get the ball to the other end to pressure Masters when they did they could not finish. In the second half Avon kept trying and managed a goal off a Penalty Corner but Masters put their passing game together and easily scored another four goals.
Final score Avon 1 Masters 7. Avon's goal was scored by Glen Taylor, Avon player of the day was goalkeeper Zen Dodunski.
On Saturday evening Le Dejeuner Catering Broadwaytook on Te Kiri at TET turf. The game started out in typical style between the two sides, but Broadway was more dominant heading into the break 3-0 up. The second half was a tight contest between the two once more, Broadway finding some clinical play to run away with the match 8-0. Player of the day was Jack Linley.
Brian Darth Funeral Services Men's A took on Te Kiri Saturday evening. A win would all but secure top spot with only one round remaining before the finals. However, no one told Te Kiri and they arrived with a plan. They defended strongly and got players behind the ball.
Stratford looked to transition the ball through the midfield and then move it down the flanks. With Scott Williams and Jayden Roodbeen prominent through the middle third as Stratford assumed control.
Quintin Adlam made good space overlapping from right half and threatened the circle. However, while they stretched the Te Kiri defence time and again, the final pass, the final trap and the quality shot would not come.
As the first half drew to a close Te Kiri sent out a couple fast breaks and the half time score of 0-0 suggested an upset could be in the making.
The half time pep talk seemed to wake the troops. First Ethan Lehman scored from a break down the right. Curtis Boyde then turned a defender at the top and crashed a ball inside the right post. Lehman grabbed a second from another right side attack.
Cameron Tofts scored the fourth pouncing on the keeper's partial save. When the Te Kiri defence was finally breached the Stratford attack was devastating, but they will be looking to convert a higher percentage of the opportunities. Final score 4-0 and building well into the last two big games.
This week's games: Friday - Avon vs FDMC at 6.30pm. Saturday in New Plymouth - B Women vs Northern United at 1pm, Broadway vs Masters at 4pm, A Men vs Northern United at 5.30pm.