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1st XI match reports3 August
v Rosmini College
Quarter Final Knock-out Cup With these two Catholic schools meeting in the quarter final of the Knock-out Cup, the Patrick Dunn Cup was once again on the line for our team. With a couple of leagues now separating these two schools, the last time they played each other was in 2008 in A2.
On a wet surface and a foggy afternoon, Sacred Heart started off much the better team. Putting the disappointment of its league defeat to Rangitoto behind it, from the first whistle Sacred seemed determined to put on a better performance. Ben Thomas was first on the score sheet, side-footing home a great ball into the box. When a shot on target found a Rosmini arm inside the penalty area, Max Hall soon had a second, coolly slotting home from the penalty spot.
Ben grabbed his second, and the team’s third, catching the Rosmini keeper off-guard with a shot from distance. Captain Thomas Doyle scored perhaps the best Sacred Heart goal next, firing home following some wonderful inter-play in the build up. Doyle then scored his second, heading home from a corner. Dylan Manickum back-heeled a cheeky sixth from close range, before Thomas completed his first half hat-trick, stooping low to head home the team’s seventh just on half-time. The second half had more than a passing resemblance to the recent Kristin league game, where Sacred Heart failed to build on its first half dominance and produced an error-ridden performance. First of all the Rosmini No6 brilliantly fired past Fsadni for the goal of the match to get the visitors on the score-sheet. Then, some good work down the right flank and a dangerous low cross by Dylan resulted in a Rosmini defender finding the back of his own net. Sacred Heart got its ninth when a brilliant through-ball from right-back Ricky Lines enabled Dylan to grab his second, shooting past the out-of-position Rosmini keeper.
A late second Rosmini goal on full time completed the scoring - final score SHC 9, Rosmini 2. SHC progresses to the semi final, and in doing so retains the Pat Dunn Cup.
Mr Neil Penfold - Assistant Coach
Director of Sport 24 JulyView photos >>
The team travelled to Kristin College in Albany for its first game back after the holiday break. The coaching team of Neil Penfold and Danny Hay was back together after Mr Hay's tour to South Africa for the World Cup.
Having not played together since the Auckland Grammar win, it was not clear how the team would perform. What followed was in every sense a game of two halves. The first half resulting in some of the best football the team has played. The first touch passing was outstanding and before half time, Dylan Manikum had netted a hat trick, while Tim Payne (two goals), James O'Brien and Michael Durkin had all added to the score sheet. Sacred Heart went into half time 7-0 up. The second half was forgettable. To Kristin’s credit, it put up a great fight back and held SHC scoreless in the second half. SHC must have had 20 shots on goal but could not finish. Full credit to the Kristin keeper, who never gave up and pulled off some outstanding saves. The game doubled as a Knock-Out Cup match and SHC now progress to the quarter final against Rosmini College. The stakes will be high - for a place in the semi final and for the Patrick Dunn Cup. The team is placed second equal with Auckland Grammar, with Grammar having a game in hand against Kristin. This week’s game will be a tough encounter with Rangitoto which is in fourth position. 26 JuneThis day will have to go down as one of the highlights of the 2010 season. It is a day when the Sacred Heart 1st Xl proved to itself that it can compete with and beat the one of the best teams in the country.
The match programme reminded the Sacred Heart team and supporters that it had not beaten AGS since the early 1980s. The challenge began! Having found itself 1-0 down early in the game, SHC didn’t panic, but responded in good fashion by playing some good passing football and being competitive throughout the team. The players' determined and focused approach, and a late equaliser by Dillon Manickum, meant it went to the half-time break 1-1. The second half was all SHC. After some special moments, including a beautiful side-footed finish from Michael Durkin, and an own goal, SHC was 3-1 up with only two minutes to play (it was a very long two minutes for all the Sacred Heart players and supporters!). AGS pulled a goal back one minute from full time but the team dug deep and secured a very special win. The support at the game was tremendous, and the quality of play was a fitting reward for the coach, Mr Neil Penfold, parents, supporters and the team. The team will now take a well-deserved break before playing Kristin in a league and knockout cup match. Well done boys - you made us all proud! Ian Doyle, Manager 19 June The 1st XI had a convincing 3-0 win over St Peters to win the Patrick Dunn Trophy for the first time in 10 years.The trophy was started in 2000, with our teacher in charge, Mr Peter Hale, getting together with other Auckland Secondary Schools and making the decision to have the football equivalent of Rugby’s Hibernian shield. The trophy is challenged for every time two New Zealand Catholic schools meet each other. Since their return to the top flight last year, Sacred Heart has lost three times to St Peters and drawn 1-1 (in 2010). But all that changed on Saturday when the team, led by New Zealand representative Thomas Doyle, scored a famous victory. An outstanding goal from Doyle, just on the stroke of half-time, and two second-half goals from Reece Lambert and Maxwell Hall, secured the 3-0 victory. It was an impressive performance from the entire team, which matched up to its opponent in the physical battle while also playing some devastating football at times. If it hadn’t been for the St Peters' goal-keeper, who was in inspired form, the scoreline could have been even more emphatic. This win, together with the recent victories over Westlake and Kings, has seen our team solidify its third place in the Premier League, and keep up the pressure on both Mt Albert and Auckland Grammar, which top the table.
The team travels to Auckland Grammar next Saturday, for what will be a very tough encounter. However, following this most recent of wins, its confidence going in to this game should be sky high. 15 Junev Kelston
The 1st XI followed up Saturday’s win over Westlake with a sound 5-1 victory over Kelston in the first round of the Knock-Out Cup. While the margin of the victory may have flattered us a little, better finishing was one of the main differences between the two sides.
Congratulations to Matthew Lewis, who made his 1st XI debut in the game. Up against a New Zealand rep right winger, Matthew had a solid performance at left back. Sacred Heart now plays Kristin in the second round. 12 Junev Westlake (away)
The 1st XI travelled to the North Shore knowing that a win would cement its place position. The game started at a frantic pace with the strong wind making play difficult for both teams. It did not take long for SHC to stamp its dominance on the game. Four first-half goals put pay to a spirited Westlake team. Reece Lambert playing up front and Peter Jones playing in goal had strong games in their new positions. Westlake fought back in the second half and brought the game to 4-2 before Reece notched up his second goal of the game to secure a 5-2 victory. Again improvements right across the park are being noticed and the team is making good progress for the start of the second half of the season. With Danny Hay now at the World Cup in South Africa, Mr Neil Penfold takes charge of the team for the all-important return match against St Peters on Saturday 19 June. Supporters are greatly appreciated! 29 May v Mt Albert Grammar (home)
Despite the 1-0 loss, the 1st Xl put on its best performance of the year. It is often said in sport “that the losing team deserved more”; this was one of those games. A well-taken opportunity, late in the first half, was the difference between the two teams. Sacred Heart gave away a needless free kick just inside its own half, and from the resulting free kick the MAGS captain Matt Rolland went unmarked in the penalty area and managed to head home past the Sacred keeper Joshua Fsadni. It was a hard-fought encounter with very few clear cut chances, and a real intensity to the battle in the midfield. The SHC defence frustrated its bigger opponents and toiled for the full 90 minutes to prevent any further scoring. In the mid-field, captain Thomas Doyle and Anthony Cibilich had their best games of the season and worked hard to break down the MAGS attacks while still trying to create opportunities of their own. Chances for the wings and strikers were few and far between. SHC was unlucky that a shot from Maxwell Hall was well saved by the MAGS keeper, Patrick George. While it is disappointing to come away from a game like this with no points, the supporters were treated to some quality football by a team determined to make peers and school proud. The team now prepares for a big challenge against St Peters on Thursday, 3 June, followed by another midweek encounter on Tuesday, 8 June against Kelston in the Knock-out Cup. 22 MayView Photo Gallery >>
v Kings College (away)
Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence was observed as a sign of respect for the three Kings boys who have died this year.From the kick-off, SHC maintained pressure on the Kings defence and two quick goals were secured by Max Hall. This start appeared to be a bit of a shock for both teams with the Kings defence working hard to prevent any further scoring in the first half and the SHC team failing to put away the numerous opportunities that were created. The second half followed a similar pattern to the close of the first half with the King's defence frustrating the SHC attacks. The Kings keeper pulled off some great saves which further frustrated the SHC strikers. Steve Carmichael took advantage of a break midway through the second half and clinically beat the despairing dive of the advancing Kings keeper. 3-0 to SHC. Kings was very good at latching onto long throws and went close to scoring on two occasions. It responded with a goal soon after to close the deficit to 3-1. The game was put beyond doubt when James O’Brien latched onto a Steve Carmichael shot and tapped the ball in for a 4-1 final result. The Kings team made SHC work hard for the win in a very physical encounter. The win now moves SHC to nine points and second place on the competition ladder. It was a good win and another step in the right direction as the team prepares for the home game against Mt Albert Grammar. SACRED HEART COLLEGE, 250 WEST TAMAKI ROAD, GLENDOWIE, AUCKLAND 1071, NEW ZEALAND
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