One step closer to championship glory
Methven F.C 5 V Papanui-Redwood AFC Panthers 2
It was only 1 goal that separated these sides last time around but the mountaineers would be confident of playing their fantastic, fast flowing, flamboyant football, finally once again on their own turf.
Rowan Smithers lead the boys out in their penultimate home game of the season.
A hot sunny day was welcomed by all and the home side got into their rhythm early on.
The first chance fell to the 'governor' Peneycad, breaking from within his own half, cutting in on the right, ensuring he left the defence for dead. Perhaps caught in two minds though, as he steadied himself in front of goal, to chip or place his shot, the outcome was to do neither as he screwed his shot wide.
This was an early warning for the visitors and it raised the confidence in the home camp and more penetrative attacks would follow.
The deadlock was broken by striking sensation Callum Angus after an alert, quickly taken throw in by Smithers caught the Papanui rear guard unsettled. Angus still had work to do as he twisted past the defence and shot a difficult half volley, left pegged past the despairing keeper, 1-0.
The first half continued with controlled possession from Methven, however they did leave their gate open a few times at the back and there could have been more goals at either end but the score remained the same until half time.
The new half begun with Methven looking for an early goal to calm their nerves. The 'Governor' Peneycad gladly took responsibility for that and looking to atone; the midfield dynamo whisked the ball away from his teammate, Torres, before embarking on another surging run. With a swagger he dropped his shoulder, fainted one way, went the other and was off at pace, opening up the field, racing towards goal, to unleash an unstoppable screamer, from distance, which the keeper could only get fingertips to, 2-0.
Unfortunately the pendulum swung the other way and Papanui struck back after some rare poor man marking from Methven, leading to a goal, 2-1.
With their eyes back on the prize, Angus immediately restored the 2 goal buffer, latching onto a beautiful threaded pass from Torres, 3-1.
Enter the Hugo Smith show, to get his customary goal. Inspired by John Peneycad's earlier finish, he fancied a crack from distance. After exquisitely turning the defender, he created his own space to thrash his shot into the top left corner, wrong footing the keeper in the process with his glorious grace and power, 4-1.
The mountaineers were to be pegged back again as their defence was breached for a second time with a shanked finish managing to deceive keeper Wasley to make it 4-2.
Methven then introduced Luccini to proceedings and he was ready to join the party and almost got his name on the score sheet with an audacious volley, which cracked against the bar, already vibrating from Smiths effort 5 minutes earlier. A small tremor could be felt as the shockwaves filtered through the pitch. Luccini would turn provider late on when his in swinging corner was met with the head of Richard King for his first of the season, 5-2.
The final whistle sounded and Methven are now on the brink of championship glory and are already guaranteed promotion, a feat not reached for 14 years. Much like England in the World Cup finals, there is definitely a feeling that football is coming home this year, come on Methven!
Methven go again in the crunch match against Western AFC Generals on Saturday 14th July at Owen Mitchell Park, 2:30pm kick off.
Other results:
Burwood AFC 5 V Methven Reserves 2
Methven 15th Grade 4 V Christchurch Boys 0