Midfielder Andy Traill scored his third goal in as many games vs Lower Hutt City on Saturday
Greytown Win Ugly as Team Heads to Top of the Table
“After playing just two days ago in the Chatham Cup on Thursday, I always thought today’s game could be a potential banana skin,” the words of coach Phil Keinzley in his after match speech following Greyfriars Motel Greytown FC’s 3-2 victory on the turf at Fraser Park over Lower Hutt City Reserves.
Despite leading 2-0 early in the game Keinzley was never comfortable as he said the Hutt side were a good striker short of being a dangerous team after the hosts had missed a number of chances in between goals by Jarrod MacDonald from the penalty spot and Andy Traill’s flick header from a Landon Palmer cross before the home side managed to peg a goal back just two minutes after Traill’s header.
Brodie Palmer restored to the two goal lead with a brilliant solo finish after a superb pass from Ryan Butler to score his 5th goal in 5 games before Lower Hutt scored to give Greytown a nervous last 5 minutes.
Man of the match Palmer and brother Landon were standouts for Greytown, constantly harassing the Hutt defence, while MacDonald was a constant threat with strong performances from Harvey Parker and Andy Traill, while Ryan Butler’s passing out of defence could only be described as outstanding.
Despite the win, Keinzley isn’t happy with another key player heading to the physio’s table as fullback Rhys Gwyther suffered a serious looking knee injury early in the second half and adds to a long list of walking wounded.
Gwyther’s brother Gareth, defender Joshua Saxton and midfielder Lloyd Whiteoak are all unavailable, while skipper Jarrod MacDonald, fellow midfielder Harvey Parker and veteran defender Josh Thompson are all playing through various issues and the coach is desperate to pick up some additional players to add to the squad.
After a busy week of three games in seven days, Greytown sit top of Capital Division Two on goal difference from Stop Out and can get back to their normal schedule with a home game next Saturday against the combined Horowhenua-Kapiti Coast team Te Kotahitanga at Soldiers Memorial Park.
Article added: Tuesday 30 April 2024