The Bay SportsMed WaiBOP United Youth Team have suffered a narrow defeat to a motivated Canterbury United youth team at Links Ave, Mt Maunganui. The result has put a massive dent in our top four hopes.
The early signs were promising after Alfie Rogers had a goal ruled out and Canterbury’s keeper pulled off a superb double save inside the first five minutes. But then the visitors went up the other end, forced a corner and punished some disorganised defending to take the lead.
Going ahead appeared to make a huge difference to Canterbury as they bossed the best part of the next half hour. Our passes wouldn’t stick as a general lethargy appeared to take over the team’s performance. Then out of nothing we zipped up to the right end of the field and Paul Clout slid home the equaliser.
As half time neared we looked to be on the improve, only to give away a penalty right on half time. James McPeake got across to his right to make the save, only to see Canterbury’s Ryan Stanley bundle home the rebound.
We pushed and prodded and had slightly the better of the second half but, despite the best efforts of a fired-up Dylan Bull, we couldn’t quite do enough to force a second equaliser.
