ANENDRA SINGH
When you turn up to the park for a game, losing is not always one of the most disheartening things.
It is, to your dismay, finding only eight players there and just 10 minutes to go before kick-off.
No phone calls to say why they couldn't make it but, oddly enough, close to 16 of them told the team co-ordinator: ``No worries, I'll be there.'
It's not a problem in the Pacific Premiership competition, but those who are slackers can take a leaf out of Taradale premier soccer player Gareth Winder's book of team commitment.
What makes Winder's dedication admirable is that the 26-year-old, who has his club's crest tattooed on his back, has been travelling from Wellington for the past four seasons just to sit on the bench.
His mother, Denise Scoble, coaches the Dale Black women's soccer team and sisters Lisa Coutts (Reds) and Liana Gerbes (2nds) play for the women's teams.
``Today was my first game of the season,' the substitute striker told SportToday after coming off the bench against Cru Bar Maycenvale United on Saturday to score with his first touch Dale's only goal in their 4-1 at home.
Winder hasn't played before because his partner, Charlotte Russell, gave birth to their son, Joseph Peter Winder, six weeks ago.
Staying fit is not that much of an issue for the builder who has done countless kilometres on the stairs of a 17-storey commercial skyscraper in the capital city.
``We've only reached the eighth floor and it keeps me reasonably fit but I tell you I didn't feel that good on the field today, mate,' said Winder, who hoped to talk his partner into staying today for their Chatham Cup match against Moturoa at 2pm.
On Saturday, Vale were 2-0 up at the breather after Leon Birnie and Joachim Rande found the net.
Substitute Simon Frater, 17, scored his first prem goal with his first touch and Keegan Bright got the other in the second spell.
Dale coach Warren Gilbertson said his team played well but the class of Birnie and Rande took the half chances.
Vale coach Grant Hastings, whose side play unknown quantity Feilding at 2pm at Akina Park today, said: ``They [Dale] are the first team that tried to play constructive football against us and it was a great team to watch.'
At Marewa Park, Signature Homes Port Hill and Bluewater Hotel Marist had to share the points after a 1-all draw.
David Gearey found the net in the 12th minute on the far post after a cross from leftback Tim Jeffares, while Port Hill right-mid Tim Damen looked up from 35m out and belted a cracker past Aaron Thompson in goal two minutes before halftime.
Marist centre-mid Jimmy Cudd and Hill counterpart Shannon Fowler both got sent off for some argy-bargy with 15 minutes to go.
A disappointed Marist coach, Malcolm Wilson, didn't want to say anything on the instant red cards but felt his troops had the lion's share of possession but were weak in front of the sticks, often rushing shots.
``It's important to keep your composure and not snatch at the ball. Port Hill certainly played better than when we played them the last time and won.'
Hill coach Tim Claudatos was defiant: ``I don't know where teams with their National League players get the idea that they can just roll up to Marewa Park and walk away with three points.
``We'll beat Marist the next time we play them.'
Claudatos didn't hold back on the sending off either.
He felt Cudd and Fowler didn't deserve red cards.
``They had a clash and got annoyed with each other. They looked each other in the eye but no one through a punch or anything,' he said, claiming they were ``just strong on the ball'.
At Childers Road Reserve, Havelock North Wanderers were lambs to the slaughter, going down 7-1 to Gisborne Thistle.
Down 4-1 at halftime, the Wanderers found they were out of their depth against the pumped-up hosts.
Kieran Donnelly again found the net this weekend.
Explained player/coach Bruce Barclay: ``We are struggling to get our confidence back.
``We'll get our mojo back and keep going,' said Barclay on the way back from Gisborne.
In other Federation Cup knockout matches today, HBE Napier City Rovers play Takaro International at Park Island while Marist lock horns on the adjacent paddock against Wanganui Athletic in 2pm kick-offs for both matches.
SOCCER: Travel, body on line reflect Winder's dedication
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.