Hawke's Bay United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Eastern Suburbs in their final ever match. Photo / Paul Taylor
The ups and downs of Hawke's Bay United's 16-year history were encapsulated in their final match of the season, and as a franchise.
United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Eastern Suburbs at Bluewater Stadium in Napier on Wednesday night – signalling the end of an era for football in the region.
The narrow defeat meant HBU finished the campaign in seventh place in the ISPS Men's Handa Premiership table – six points adrift of the playoffs.
Jorge Akers put the home side one-nil up early in the second half after a ball over the top from veteran Bill Robertson, to the delight of those in attendance.
Suburbs levelled eight minutes later through right-back Kelvin Kalua however, after a cross evaded the entire Hawke's Bay back line.
United missed out on a fairytale send-off after Napier-born Reid Drake scored the winner for the lilywhites on the 70th-minute mark – securing themselves a playoff spot.
Co-coach Chris Greatholder said the result mirrored the season as a whole – "frustrating".
"I've grown tired of opposition coaches saying we deserved more from the game.
"The boys huffed and puffed and tried as hard as they could, but we've missed a bit of quality and composure in front of goal, missing three or four big chances and they took theirs. That's been the story of the season."
Hawke's Bay United ended the season the league's lowest scorers, having netted just 17 times in 14 games.
Greatholder said his side lacked fire power in front of goal following the mid-season departure of forwards Jesse Randall and Kailan Gould.
"The other sides have someone that managed to get the ball in the net and we haven't. But that's not to say we haven't created lots of chances.
"This season has been 50/50 for me as I am proud we've given it a good shot in terms of the attitude, commitment and passion, but we're underdone points-wise.
"To look at the league table and see we could've finished in the top four is frustrating. There've been six or seven games where we've not come out on the right side of the result where we could have, give or take a bit of quality, skill, referee decisions and luck."
Midfielder Ahmad Othman was voted United's Coaches Player of the Season, while goalkeeper Scott Morris picked up Youth and Players' Player of the Season.
Morris, who will return to Masterton to play for Wairarapa United, said he'd be open to representing the region again if an opportunity arose after a "rollercoaster of a season".
"From five losses on the trot to then being in the playoff mix – we can be proud of the effect and dedication in the squad," he said.
"To be given the opportunity to be a part of Hawke's Bay history by Greatholder, Robertson and Gould is an honour and privilege I'll remember forever."
Greatholder said while the 16-year franchise is no more, the club provided a platform for players to go on to bigger and better things.
Notable former players and coaches include Leicester City assistant manager Chris Davies, Scotland international Jonathan Gould and NZ Women's Under-17 coach Leon Birnie.
NZ internationals Jeremy Brockie, Mark Elrick, Che Bunce, Ian Hogg, Cole Peverley and Jarrod Smith also represented the club.
Greatholder said although the club has never had the resources of other clubs, the club has seen many talented players go through the system.
"By the sheer nature of provincial New Zealand we've done well to keep competing. We haven't got the resources to keep them in the region and they move on.
"To have our platform for youth development taken away means we have to replace it with something aspirational for young footballers.
"It concerns me that we have one flagship club in Napier City Rovers who're playing Central League level – we must as a region rally around them to ensure kids can get excited about football and there are things to offer."