Football: Peter Smith hails WaiBOP's effort

Jack McNab had an outstanding second half of the season. Photo/Andrew Warner

WaiBOP United coach Peter Smith is reasonably satisfied reflecting on his team's first season in the ASB Premiership.

The team finished sixth in the eight-team competition, with four wins and eight losses.

Smith was pleased with how competitive they were.

"The big thing for me initially was to get a team that was competitive with the top teams in the league," Smith said.

"If you look at our defeats, they are 2-1, 1-0, 3-2. We got credibility. Against Oceania champions Auckland City, we were 1-0 down and they scored their second in the 91st minute, so we were going nose-to-nose with them."

Blooding players new to the national league was an undoubted success, particularly two Tauranga City players.

"Obviously Jack McNab has got to be one of them.

"It was tough for Jack initially coming in, making the step up from the Northern second division to the ASB Premiership. That is a big ask.

"From the word go, Jack worked real hard but never got his chance early doors because of the strikers we had on board. Other players would have lost a bit of enthusiasm, a bit of interest. But to the lad's credit, he just kept working away and just under halfway through the season, Jack got his chance and eventually became almost the first player on the team sheet and done fantastic. He got goals, was a great success and a top player to have in the squad.

"Young Thomas Probert stepped up from the Youth team. Because he has an exceptional talent, we brought him in as one of the apprentices to train with the first team with Reid Drake. Both of them dug their heels in and worked really hard and both became starters in the team.

"Thomas in particular is a different class and did really well for a 17-year-old."

Smith is hopeful there may be two games played at Links Avenue next season after the success of the Wanderers SC fixture in February.

"The feedback from the players was they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Links Avenue is a football venue and it feels like a football club.

"I am in touch with Duncan Lowry at Tauranga City, who has done a fantastic job and he has been real supportive of the stuff we have done with Jack and others.

"WaiBOP needs to work with the senior clubs because if we strengthen those clubs that helps strengthen WaiBOP United in the national league as well."