Kings finds its structure late

Kings United proved a bit more clinical than Taieri Tuataras this week as a tight-fought battle that was 0-0 at halftime fell its way.

Both teams came into the match missing some key players but all those who stepped up to fill in the gaps did admirable jobs.

Kings dominated the first 10 minutes. Hayden Himburg, standing in goal for Taieri, kept at least four direct shots at bay in this short period.

However, as the frustration from not scoring grew, Taieri clawed its way back into the game.

The remainder of the first half fell into a slightly scrappy pattern, where both teams had chances but Himburg and Nick Wong, in goal for Kings, proved more than handy, given both were playing up from lower grades.

Andrew Kennedy and Andrew Beverland, in midfield for Taieri, directed most of its play, while Campbell Paton and Lawson Davison did the same for Kings.

The second half started in a similar pattern but as the time ticked on, Kings found more of its structure and started to press the attack.

In the end, it managed to break down the Tuatara defence through a combination of short passing and fast leading up front. Its three goals were all beautifully constructed and finished by passing around the keeper.

Taieri got one back with five minutes to go from a broken down penalty corner and put another in the net a second after fulltime, to no avail. However, Kings was the deserved winner on the day.

The Uni derby was played midweek, the Whales beating the Panthers 1-0.

A depleted Albany side travelled to Gore to play Southland for a 3-3 draw.

This leaves Albany in first-equal with Uni A on 14 points, Kings on nine points, Uni B on six and Taieri and Southland tied for fifth on four.

-By Matthew West

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