Round 3 Tairawhiti Division 2

​This Weekends game was nothing short of entertaining. Last Friday QRS Wairoa Athletic Football Team traveled up to Wainui, Gisborne to take on the Neighbourhood Pizzeria  Wainui Salty Dogs in the Tairawhiti Division 2 comp for 2025, the game was played in rather wet and windy conditions making it slippery for both sides, it was Wainui who got the scoreboard going by capitalizing on a save made by Athletic's Keeper Mark Anderson which just hit away the first initial shot at goal falling on the lap of a wainui player Wainui 1-0 Athletic kept the heads up and went to work with some good passing play between the midfield pairing of Josh Cowan and Ryan O'Sullivan who opened up the Wainui defense spreading the ball out wide to Rightback Luke Graves who put a cross in to find Ryan O'Sullivan who nicely put it in the net leveling the scores 1-1 Scoring in his first game back since earning his Blazer at last year's Prize-giving. Athletic had good momentum keeping the pressure on Wainui making a good play down the Right Harry Champion was able to add to the score by sending through a shot from the edge of the box Securing a 2-1 Athletic lead but Wainui didn't lose any hope and kept fighting back into the game but Athletics' Defensive efforts held strong with midfielder Ryan O'Sullivan making an epic save just unfortunately for Athletic it deflected into an open Wainui player who capitalized tying the scores 2-2 to end the half.
The second half began with Athletic under the pump from Wainui's relentless attacking display managing to keep momentum going from the 1st half, again Athletics' backline stood strong but just under the wet conditions made it hard for everyone to control the ball after multiple saves Wainui was able to clean up another 2 goals taking a strong hold of the game making it 4-2 with only half n hour left to play Athletics' subs made an impact immediately putting pressure on Wainui to get ourselves back in the game. Captain Ben Blake making a run up the right hand side of the field put through a cross which seemed like it was never going to come down having Wainui believe it gone out but super sub Jonny Hardie put his toe on the end of it, in some sort of karate style kick and put it in the back of the net making Wainui keeper question how that happened. Athletic 3 Wainui 4. One goal down, game back on and Athletic had grabbed momentum back within five minutes Centerback Jason Smith had put a clearing kick over the Wainui backline to put super sub Jonny Hardie on goal again Athletic 4 Wainui 4. Both sides shocked about how this game is unfolding in miserable wet conditions. With only 8 long minutes to go before full-time both sides looked like a draw was nearing but Wainui had the last say, cleaning up another loose ball and capitalizing from it Wainui 5 Athletic 4 all hopes put back on Athletic to grab another one back, Athletic put the pressure back on Wainui with their keeper making numerous saves over a span of two minutes finally cleared the ball but found left back Raymond Hawley who made a break down the left and put through a great cross but unfortunately to no prevail the final whistle blew shattering the Athletic hopes of coming back, final score Wainui 5 QRS Wairoa Athletic 4.
​Although in defeat Athletic held their own with heaps of positives coming out of the game, and strong performances from players like Luke Graves, Harry Champion, Josh Cowan, Joe De Kock and Ryan O'Sullivan to name a few still look strong enough to make a strong push for the league. A few more trainings and team consistency should be a force to be reckoned with.
Player of the Day went to Jonny Hardie on his strong efforts and his 2 goals that got us back into the game.
Goals:
Ryan O'Sullivan
Harry Champion
Jonny Hardie X2
We also payed tribute with a moment of silence for the passing of Iain Gillies who was a great influence on football in Tarawhiti.  
Next weekend the boys take on Round 1 of the Chris Moore Knockout Cup. The draw to be confirmed.
A big shout out to all our Club sponsors. Have a happy and safe Easter everyone