The Skins are back in the Game!

Marist Skins recovered from their worst defeat in years to beat the Lower Hutt City side 3-0 in their Div 9 game at Fraser Park on Saturday. In warm and dry conditions, this game was always going to take its toll and luckily the Skins had more players and managed to make the most of their opportunities better than the home team.

Playing with the sun at their backs, the green and whites lost Dan Popham early to injury, but had more opportunities than their hosts. Eventually striker Ben McCorkindale converted the pressure into a goal. The Lower Hutt defender chasing a ball back, panicked and Corks was able to pounce and shoot past an approaching goalie.

The Hutt side still had their chances, but a combination of good Skins defence, a couple of great saves by evergreen keeper Ray Hardy and some poor finishing after great lead up work cost the hosts.

At halftime the game was in the balance at 1-0, but the deserved buffer created when Jim Boutcher pounced on a goalkeeping error to slot the 2-0 goal was welcome relief for the visitors. The game then reached a stalemate as both teams struggled in the heat. The Skins eventually scored another and was created by good lead up work down the left and when Jim Boutcher cut a pass to substitute bull terrior striker Tim Pate who danced around the keeper and slotted it with his left peg, the result was beyond doubt.

The 3-0 result was a fair reflection, but both teams created some great opportunities and on another day and maybe a completely flat pitch, could've scored more goals.

Still, it was played in good spirits and was thoroughly enjoyable!

Game One The Skins Dominate

The Marist Skins got their 2009 campaign off to a comfortable 5-0 win over Petone on Saturday at Kilbirnie Park. This was true early season football with plenty of mistimed strikes and tired legs, but new signing Oliver Davie got the ball rolling with an early goal from a nice pass from stalwart Ray Hardy.

The Skins dominated with the strengthening northerly and finally made it count when a lobbed shot/cross by Ben McCorkindale sailed into the back of the net past everyone including the gutsy away goalie who gave a good account of himself.

It was difficult to know how many goals were in the northerly, but once the speedy Davie bagged two more, then the result seemed beyond reach of Petone.

Petone were always threatening on the counter thanks to the strong breeze, but often they turned over possession and left gaps in midfield for some gradually improving Skins passing to capitalise on. Enigmatic Tim Pate bagged the final goal after a break from Davie who then fed Pate who nutmegged the goalie from close range.

The match was played on a hard and fast pitch conditions and fatigue often left big gaps in midfield. The Kilbirnie track allowed for space up the flanks, but the cricket pitch area saw some interesting tumbles take place.

The Skins look forward to hosting Naenae next week. At this early stage this game looks crucial after Naenae had a 7-2 win in their opening game. Easter weekend is always an interesting time with player availability in question.