JUNE
10th
Spirit v Queenstown
Queenstown showed why it is unbeaten this season when it comprehensively defeated Spirit FC 5-nil in their Soccersouth premier league game at Surrey Park on Saturday.
The pattern of the game was set in the first three minutes of play when Queenstown’s opening assault on the Spirit goal almost resulted in it taking the lead through Tiago Rodrigues who shot wide from close range.
It’s second attack a minute later paid off handsomely as Dara McGrenaghan fired the visitors into the lead 1-nil from which Spirit never really recovered.
Spirit’s best period of play followed that initial onslaught but it failed to trouble Queenstown goalkeeper Filipe Shons with any shots on goal.
Spirit’s
good approach work was constantly being mastered outside the penalty area with
strong defending from full back James Robert and central defender Ross
Mackenzie.
Having
repelled Spirit’s pressure Queenstown then set about methodically increasing
its lead throughout the remainder of the game.
McGrenaghan
scored his second at the 23-minute mark when he made space for himself on the
left flank and drove a strong volley under the outstretched arms of Spirit
keeper Phil Grubb.
He then became provider for the next goal when he cut the ball back from the goal line to give Rodrigues the simplest of tap-in goals and increase the lead to 3-nil.
The
start of the second half almost mirror imaged the first but this time it was
Queenstown’s first real attacking chance that reaped its reward.
McGrenaghan
was again the man on the spot to volley the ball into the Spirit goal and
complete his hat trick for the day giving Queenstown a commanding 4-goal
advantage.
Coach Steve Henderson subbed off McGrenaghan at that stage and replaced him with former Southland Spirit striker Tobi Reid.
Although the writing was on the wall for Spirit it never stopped trying to break through and looked likely to get something for its effort when Tom Kent outpaced and outwitted the Queenstown defence.
However his cross was met by Rhys Corbin and under pressure from his marker the youngster slid the ball just past the upright for what was clearly Spirit’s best chance of a goal.
Ross
Mackenzie capped off a good game for him and finished the scoring for the day at
5-nil when he “had a whack” from long distance and to his and his teammates
delight the ball eluded Grubb and settled in the net.
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