Match Report: Round 01 vs Western Springs AFC
Northern League Round 01 Match Report: Western Springs vs East Coast Bays, Seddon Fields Turf, Pt Chevalier, Saturday 22nd March 2025.
Late, late Equaliser earns Bays a share of the points in opening round battle.
Welcome to the opening day of the new 2025 Dettol Northern League season as Bays travelled across the bridge to take on Western Springs at Seddon Fields. A big welcome to Bays new signings Adam Huskic, Cameron Brown, Matt Matanyayire, Joaquin Julve and all the way from America, Devin Slingsby. All were in line for their Bays debuts along with James Elder who was promoted to the Senior team from last years Under 23’s side.
In glorious early evening sunshine, the game kicked off with a decent crowd in attendance. Bays were early on attack with a break down the left wing by Matt. A long throw into the box by Jack was cleared by the Springs defence to the edge of the box and eventually away. The game was only 5 minutes old when Springs defender Carey lost control of the ball and Guy was away. Carey brought Guy down and after a check with the assistant referee Carey was shown a straight red card for being the last man. Orlando sent the free kick into the box and Billy had a header blocked & cleared away.
A long ball down the right wing found Cameron on the run and his attempted cross was put behind for a corner. The corner was cleared to the edge of the box where Matt passed to Liam on a run into the box. Liam’s left foot shot crashed into the side netting. Davies was then shown his first yellow card for a late tackle from behind on Guy. Nathan’s left foot free kick went sailing well wide of the goal.
Western Springs took the lead with a goal against the run of play in the 19th minute. A break down the Bays left flank saw a pinpoint cross from Takimoto to the back post that was powered home by Wallace’s head. Western Springs 1 East Coast Bays 0. For most of the rest of the first half there was a lot of toing & froing as both sides tried to find a way through each other’s defence. Billy played in Guy, and he flicked the ball through the defence for Liam to chase after. Springs keeper Mason was out quickly to gather the ball just before Liam could get a touch past him. Another cross in from the right by Takimoto led to a scuffed shot for Louie’s first proper save of the match. Jack then had a cross/shot that went well wide. A cross in from the right saw a left foot shot by Orlando saved and a second shot was blocked.
The half time whistle went, and the score read Western Springs 1 East Coast Bays 0. Bays created a number of chances but struggled to break through a resolute 10-man defence. Springs did extremely well to keep their goal intact after the early sending off and played all their players behind the ball.
The second half started off with a Springs corner on the right that was confidently punched away by Louie. Another Bays attack in the 49th minute led to a corner and in a moment of madness Springs defender Davies kicked the ball away. With having already been booked in the first half Davies was shown a second yellow card followed by a red card and Springs were down to nine players left on the field. Springs reacted with bringing on Thomas as their first substitute. A cross into the centre by Cameron was cleared after it was initially drilled into one of their defenders midriff. Jack then took aim from long range but saw his left foot drive sail over the goal.
Bays made two changes in the 62nd minute taking off both fullbacks, Cameron & Nathan, and bringing on Nathan Pepper and James Elder. A cross in from Devin on the right to the back post saw a first shot by James blocked and from the rebound Guy hit the next shot straight into Steinmetz. Nathan P got forward and saw his left foot shot saved low down. Orlando went on a great run and after finding Liam his left foot shot went well wide. Orlando was struggling with a bit of cramp and was replaced with Damion Kim in the 69th minute. Two minutes later Springs brought on McLeod for Takimoto. James introduction certainly livened up the Bays attack that had been struggling up to then.
Springs were under siege for almost the whole of the second half but when they did get near the Bays goal, they used Gatkek very well as their outlet up front. A Bays corner from the right was then headed over by Jack. Gatkek went on a great run and his shot led to a great block by Devin. Louie then had to be on his guard saving a close range shot by Gatkek. Down the other end a Bays corner from the left saw an audacious bicycle kick by Devin. A ball down the right wing saw a cross/shot by Matt saved at the near post by the Springs keeper.
Bays made their last two changes in the 86th minute with Adam and Joaquin coming on to make their debuts replacing Nathan Pepper & Matt. At the same time Springs made their 3rd change with McGavin coming on for a flagging Wallace who had put in a busy shift mostly defending rather than up front. Bays were awarded a free kick for a handball offence. Jack sent in the free kick that was cleared, and Adam was a shown a yellow card for a silly push on one of the Springs defenders.
Another free kick for yet another foul on Guy saw Damion shoot through the wall for a deflection and out for a corner. Just when it was looking like Bays were heading for a disappointing opening day defeat the equaliser arrived in the 95th minute. Devin swung in a great cross from the right which found Guy’s head in the middle. Guy powered his header back across the keeper into the far corner past the stranded Springs keeper to make the score Western Springs 1 East Coast Bays 1. Before the game restarted Browne was shown a yellow card for dissent.
The game kicked off again and shortly after, the final whistle went. Bays had scrapped their way to an opening day draw and a share of the points. Springs did an amazing job defending for such a long time with a shortage of players and must have been a bit disappointed to concede the late goal so late in the game. Congratulations to the new Bays players on their debuts. Next up is our first home game of the season at Bay City Park against Birkenhead Utd on Saturday with an early kick off time of 12.30pm. See you all there.
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Final Score: Western Springs 1 vs East Coast Bays 1
Western Springs: O Mason, A Carey, J Hackett, T Makimoto, B Wallace, D Straffon, W Gatkek, O Browne, N Steinmetz, R Drake, R Davies
Subs: M Thomas 13, R McLeod 71, C McGavin 86
East Coast Bays: L Caunter, N Maisey (N Pepper 62, A Huskic 86), R Ishibashi, O Thorpe (D Kim 69), G FE Penda, B Jones, D Slingsby, L Andersen, C Brown (J Elder 62), M Matanyayire (J Julve 86), J Caunter
Goals: Western Springs: B Wallace 19 East Coast Bays: G FE Penda 90 +5
Red Cards: Western Springs: A Carey 5, R Davies 49
Unofficlal attendance: 5,205 & Gordy Ross
