United player-coach Stu Cranswick said that while his side knew better than to take Boys’ High lightly, he suspected they underestimated the opposition.
“Everyone knew not to do that, but we seemed flat for the first half and — even though we improved — for the first 20 minutes of the second.”
Boys’ High went ahead midway through the first spell against the run of play. Noy Paull counter-attacked down the right wing and crossed the ball to the middle of the goal, where right midfielder Max Bramwell met it with a glancing header into the far corner.
Just after halftime, United equalised. Cranswick took the ball down the right wing to the byline and crossed to the far post, where left midfielder Damon Husband headed home from close range.
Fifteen minutes into the half, Boys’ High went ahead again, this time through left midfielder Adam Donaldson, who slipped the ball past United goalkeeper Cody Keepa.
Ten minutes later, United levelled after Cranswick ran on to a pass and found enough space to get his shot away.
For Boys’ High, it was now time for desperate defending.
“We were really under the cosh for those last 20 minutes,” Robinson said.
“But both sides had chances to win it. One of our shots hit the inside of the post and went across the goalmouth instead of into the net, and United could probably have won it if their shooting had been better.
“I thought a draw was fair.”
Cranswick said the students defended well, particularly in the last 20 minutes when United were “all over them”.
United’s substitutes added vigour to their team effort.
Cranswick was pleased with the impact of Matt McFatter at rightback, Hano Vorster on the right in midfield, and Lytton High School student Jack Feyen up front. They all came on around the halftime mark.
He was also satisfied with the performances of midfielders Aaron Graham, Craig Christophers and French utility player Francisco Fernandez.
Boys’ High coach Robinson said rightback Bradley Clark had recovered from a broken arm and on Saturday played perhaps his best game of the year.
Injury to regular centreback Kennedy Lexmond meant Andrew Brott had to drop from midfield into the centre of the defence. He and sweeper Lucian Nickerson coped well with the constant threat posed by Cranswick.
Alex Larkin was another player who had recovered from a broken arm, Robinson said.
He started the game up front and then dropped back to left midfield, and was getting better with every outing.
“The team’s performance was 10 times as good as the previous week,” Robinson said.
United are still in second place, four points behind Thistle Massive, who beat Wainui Sharks 6-2 at Childers Road Reserve. Boys’ High are third, two points behind United and two ahead of Carpet Court Thistle, who are fourth, level on points with Sharks but with a game in hand and a better goal difference.
In other games, United seconds got their first point, courtesy of a 2-2 draw with Demons at Wainui, and Bohemians beat Riverina 2-1 at Nelson Park.
Carpet Court Thistle had the bye.
In Division 2, Wairoa continued to set the pace, beating United thirds 6-1 at Anzac Park for an eight-from-eight record.
Thistle Vintage are two points behind in second place after their 4-1 victory over Lytton High School at Lytton.
Next come Ngatapa Silkies, who leapfrogged Bohemians seconds by beating them 2-1 at Patutahi.
At Nelson Park, Smash Palace Shockers beat Bohemians thirds 1-0 and Boys’ High seconds beat Liquid Thistle Allsorts 6-1.
Meanwhile, Campion College made the most of home advantage to beat Boys’ High thirds 20-0.
