Karori Boomers 3-1 Marist

This week the Boomers played host for the first time at Karori Park, gracing the second field against lowly Marist Town.

The Boomers needed to win after a below-par draw against Petone last week meant they lost crucial ground on them and Stokes Valley on the table.

However, it was an opportunity for Marist, who sat in 7th, to pull themselves up into the comfort of mid-table if they could steal a win on Waterside. The Boomers couldn't afford to slip up though as the top two sides' games were a formality.

The Boomers were without playmaker Tadhg Delany, as well as brother Drew Delany. Alex Rothman continues his long-term absence and Ollie Carr also missed this fixture.

There was no referee again and with Marist declining to offer a ref for one half the Boomers were left high and dry to cover both halves. Owen Gibbo Gibson took the whistle for the first half and Jesse Strafford picked up in the second half. The Boomers may need to add a refereeing column to the stat rosters to avoid some players reffing more than others as proper referees seem to be rare this season. 

The line up started with Bascand in goal and a familiar back four of Cam, McSweeny, Halford and Sammy Clark from right to left. The midfield included Alie Novak for a home debut, Jesse Strafford partnered Handley in the centre of the park and Michael Candy was elevated to left midfield in Carr's absence. Blaine Abraham and Darryl Jones were hoping to grow their partnership up front. The 4-4-2 formation was another step for the Boomers moving out of the comfort of a five-man midfield and still being able to win it in the midfield.

The Boomers completely dominated both possession and territory in the first half but lacked the finishing touch to many moves. Candy and Sammy linked up well down the left, while Cam and Novak provided equal quality down the right. The use of the wingers were key to the Boomers keeping possession as well as being able to turn the ball over from limp Marist attacks and quickly fire back down the wings.

The first goal came from a short corner to Strafford who whipped a low ball in that was glanced by Handley and then rifled into the net by a Marist defender making an attempted clearance.

Following that a breakaway move where the Boomers were caught napping saw Marist go level after their player rounded Bascand in a one-on-one and finished into an empty net.

The Boomers hit back however, with a typically bustling run from Alex Handley through the middle, and he had the composure to slot home in the bottom corner. Handley is the Boomers second top goalscorer and has been the Boomers version of Spurs signing Scott Parker. He and McSweeny are the only players to feature in every minute of every game so far. However, Handley has a history of injuries and the Boomers should not rely on him too heavily.

It was an awkward second half with the game mainly fought out in the centre of the park. Sammy Clark was solid down the left all game and Marist's only threat was an extra man busting through the midfield, which was dealt with well by the Boomers. Owen Gibbo Gibson came on for a rare appearance for Novak and Raikon came on for Strafford, while Cam Holm moved into the midfield. Marist had chances to equilise, as the Boomers became tired and struggled to control the game. However they weren't clinical and a late move saw Gibbo, in a potential offside position, cross for Darryl to slot home at the back post.

The Boomers went away with a 3-1 win they will be happy with. It was enough on the day but against tougher opposition they will need to be more clinical with their chances. Next week the Boomers are at an alternate home down the road from Karori Park at Ben Burn Park against Naenae who are just behind the Boomers on the table. It's Naenae's second top team at the club and they should not be taken lightly. The Boomers need to keep the pressure on the top two sides.

#GTFU