Soccer: Finding the net what it's all about

Ritchie Howard

Creating clear-cut chances aren't enough. Soccer teams have to learn to put them away if they want to have a shot at winning any titles in a season.

AppMed House Port Hill United discovered that on Saturday when they went down 2-1 to Western Rangers at Marewa Park, Napier.

Not only have the Tim Claudatos-coached Port Hill side not won a game at home so far this season, they also handed over the Premiership Challenge Trophy they wrested off Your Solutions Taradale AFC the previous weekend.

"At the end of the day we won 2-1 so it doesn't matter how many opportunities you get. We scored two from a few and then defended resolutely," said Rangers coach Ritchie Howard after ex-Rover Cory Janssen pounced on a cross defenders failed to clear in the 9th minute to make it 1-0.

Fellow striker Ben Robinson extended it to 2-0 in the 50th minute after a flurry of one-two passes before Luke Donovan crossed from the right flank to enable Robinson to sneak it past the Port Hill goalkeeper.

Magnus Hansson pulled one back two minutes later, 2-1.

Hosts coach Tim Claudatos pulled out a defender and injected another striker from the bench to at least claim one point but to no avail.

"We had 37 clear-cut opportunities and the boys didn't commit," Claudatos said, lauding Rangers keeper Rory Cook for thwarting them.

Howard said it was "all hands to the pump" from his predominantly young and new squad this season who stood tall in the midfield battle.

At Childer's Road Reserve, Sunshine Brewery Team Gisborne beat Hotshot Napier Marist 3-1.

The Thomas Edge-coached Gisborne went ahead from a Liam Ryan goal.

Keegan Bright headed in the 1-1 equaliser in the 40th minute after a cornerkick deflection from the front upright sailed to the back for the Marist player to head past the goalkeeper.

However, just before halftime Ryan's brother, Kieran, also got on the scorecard to make it 2-1 into the breather.

Edge put the final nail down to an own goal in the second spell when Nicky Land drove a ball towards the goalmouth but a Marist defender's sliding effort helped the ball into the net.

"It was a great game ... physical but not dirty."

At Akina Park, Hastings, Maycenvale United beat Hastings Old Boys 2-1.

Table leaders Promotem Napier City Rovers' game against Dale was postponed because of Chatham Cup.