ASB National League
Dunedin, 2011-12

Youth Team Battles to a Draw
Rab Smith

Goals at both ends of the game with Team Wellington, produced Otago's Youth team's meritorious draw at Tahuna park on Saturday.

Haunting memories of the first round 9-1 loss surfaced when Wellington raced ahead after ONE minute as Blair Mitchell cleverly lobbed keeper Zayn Officer.

But keeper Officer went on to have a strong match, and the rest of Otago showed plenty of 'ticker' to harry and tackle the classy Wellington side - allowing few clear chances.

Coach Tony Martin comments : ' The ASB National Mens Youth League game held at Tahuna Park between Otago United and Team Wellington was of vital importance to the Otago side.

Having been defeated 9-1 by Wellington in the first games of the campaign this final gamesin the league served as a direct measuring gauge as to the progress of the Otago side. With fifteen players absent from the final selection due to injury and sickness the game also served as a testement to squad depth and collective desire to get a positive result.

Wellington scored with the first minute to make Otago's task even more difficult but the team managed to regroup and hold firm to such an extent that in jury time Otago grabbed an equlising goal via the boot of Will McIntyre (and a deflection) to claim a point.

Excellent performances by Andrew Ridden, Zayn Officer and Will McIntyre were highlights in a solid, battling team performance. Against a Wellington side that possessed excellent technique and movement the point gained does indeed prove to be a sign of progress over the course of the season. Indeeed following the opening loss to Wellington the next five games included a win, a draw, two single goal losses and a two nil defeat in Canterbury.

With this in mind it is actually now time to look foward to the next season. Even though the season only finished for Otago yesterday planning needs to begin now if the momentum provided by being so competitive in this league is to be maintain and improved upon. Such planning would also provide Otago United with a solid base from which it can drive foward into the 2012/13 summerseason.

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Who says United has a Strong Bench eh? Cunningham Bros Demolition...

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Will McIntyre scored the 92nd minute equaliser !

At Tahuna Park, Dunedin
Otago United 1 (Will McIntyre 90+2’)
Team Wellington 1 (Blair Mitchell 1’)
Halftime: 0-1

ASB Yth Lg	P	W	D	L	For	Ag	GD	Pts
Team Wellington	6	5	1	0	25	3	22	16
Canterbury United	6	3	0	3	10	10	0	9
YoungHeart Manawatu	6	2	0	3	6	19	-13	6
Otago United	6	1	1	4	11	20	-9	4