Western Suburbs 6 – Palmerston North Marist 0
Owen Parker-Price 12, 65
Elijah Just 14
Xavier Green 49
Callum McCowatt 55, 74
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Wests Formation (4-3-3) Palmerston North Marist Formation (4-5-1)
Andrew Withers
Alex Clayton, Michael Faber, Kyle Adams, Dalton Wilkins
Dominic Wooldridge, Harry Edge, Owen Parker-Price
Callum McCowatt, Elijah Just, Xavier Green
Wests Subs:
Ihaia Delaney for Elijah Just (57 mins) – Straight swap
Noah Billingsley for Xavier Green (57 mins) – Straight Swap
Daniel Harford-Silas for Callum McCowatt (77 mins) – Left back with Dalton Wilkins moved to more advanced position
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Several hundred supporters were present to witness another masterclass performance from Wests, which saw them clinch the Central League title with two games to spare.
Shane Rufer’s PN adopted a damage limitation 4-5-1 formation, but were simply outclassed by the young Wests outfit that again demonstrated first-rate teamwork and deservedly ran out 6-0 victors.
The possession statistics for the game were majorly skewed to Wests, although during the first half, PN worked hard to limit clear-cut chances by sitting very deep, and working hard to stifle space in the final third. However, this meant that PN never had an outlet when they won the ball, so were always quick to hand back possession, and rarely caused any issues for Wests’ solid defensive core of Kyle Adams, Mikey Faber and Harry Edge.
Wests had a 10-15 minute purple patch quite early in the game, scoring two and having several other near-misses. Owen Parker-Price opened the scoring, slotting home after a clever exchange between Dalton Wilkins and Callum McCowatt. Almost immediately, a high press from Wests won the ball in a dangerous area, and Callum McCowatt this time set up Elijah Just for goal number two.
Further good chances were created for Elijah Just (twice), Callum McCowatt, Dominic Wooldridge and Kyle Adams, but PN managed to prevent the score-line from blowing-out any further before half-time.
The confidence was oozing from the Wests players though, and their neat passing across the entire width of the pitch was clearly stretching the PN team. It seemed likely that these stamina-straining tactics would pay dividends in the second half, as PN would inevitably start to tire.
And that was exactly what eventuated, with the second half even more one-sided than the first. Within 10 minutes, Wests had doubled their half-time advantage. The third goal was the goal of the game, as Xavier Green made an excellent long run down the left, and after combining with Callum McCowatt and Elijah Just, he curled a beauty into the top corner from just inside the box.
Elijah Just then found Callum McCowatt, who fooled a couple of defenders with a trademark shimmy before cutting inside and drilling home.
With the game already safe, Declan Edge introduced Ihaia Delaney and Noah Billingsley, and they immediately linked with Dalton Wilkins to set up Alex Clayton who was unlucky to see his firm shot blocked on the line. Ihaia Delaney then played a key role in the fifth goal, pressurising the PN keeper into a miss-hit clearance, which Owen Parker-Price intercepted and dispatched with ease.
Owen Parker-Price then returned the favour, unselfishly flicking a long ball into Ihaia Delaney’s path, but he was just off target with his effort. The sixth goal was not long coming though, with Owen Parker-Price again the catalyst, setting up Callum McCowatt for his second of the game.
Callum McCowatt was then denied his hat-trick by a fine save from the PN keeper, and Noah Billingsley was just over with a bullet header from the resultant corner.
Wests survived a couple of defensive Keystone Cops moments, but the reliable Andrew Withers was always well-positioned to mitigate these rare mishaps and preserve his clean sheet.
Overall, a comfortable 6-0 victory, but Wests can expect a sterner challenge when they entertain Bay Olympic in the quarter-finals of the Chatham Cup next Saturday.
Player of the Day:
3 points – Owen Parker-Price – Two excellent goals and unselfish play setting up others despite being on a hat-trick
2 points – Harry Edge – Dictated play from his pivot position
1 point – Xavier Green – Usual, all-action display, and outstanding finish for his goal
