Latest News

YoungHeart goes down at the Caketin

New Waikato FC coach Mark Cossey started his tenure with a confidence-boosting 3-2 victory over YoungHeart Manawatu at Westpac Stadium on December the 2nd.

Cossey was promoted to head coach on Tuesday after the sacking of Declan Edge, and his young charges responded with their first win of the season.

“The boys stuck to the game plan,” said Cossey, “and it brought us the result.”

Waikato had been playing a game based on intricate passing, but this week saw them change to a more direct style.

“We wanted to be more penetrative,” explained Cossey. “Once we’re in their half, just two, three passes with speed to create opportunities to score.”

After a 5-0 mauling by Canterbury United last week, Waikato could have been forgiven for starting tentatively against Manawatu, but instead they gained immediate ascendancy.

The more direct approach was rewarded by the opener in the 18th minute, courtesy of a terrific Rory Turner shot placed into the top corner of the net.

As the game wore on, Manawatu used their physicality to steadily gain a greater share of possession. The experienced centre pairing of Nathan Cooksley and Adam Cowan were able to cut down the space for Waikato and regularly force turnovers.

It was not until past the hour mark that YoungHeart finally found their equaliser, courtesy of a Tom Mosquera free kick. His low strike took a deflection off the wall, stranding Matt Upton in the Waikato goal.

Manawatu barely had time to celebrate before Waikato responded emphatically. This time, it was Sam Margetts providing the champagne finish with a superbly-placed shot that looped just inside the far post.

The goal seemed to rattle the home side and Waikato pushed forward looking to seal the match. Substitute Mohammed Awad ran at the Manawatu defence time and again, his intricate dribbling repeatedly causing problems.

The pressure told in the 81st minute. A loose touch in the Manawatu defence was pounced on by the determined Ryan Thomas, who effortlessly side-footed past ‘keeper Matt Borren.

The composure in front of goal from the side was all the more impressive coming from a Waikato side that had managed only a single goal in four previous outings.

With time running out, Manawatu poured forward, competing ferociously for the ball all over the park.

In stoppage time, a low cross finally got through the Waikato lines and the lethal Mosquera was on hand to coolly finish from close range. The goal was his seventh in only five games, making him the leading goal scorer in the ASB Premiership this season.

There was no time to find an equaliser for Manawatu. The full-time whistle came seconds later.

The result leaves both sides on three points with only Otago United beneath them.

For Waikato, it is a result that is critical for team morale.

“I’ve got to get some confidence into the boys,” said Cossey. “There’s some good talent in this squad, they’re just lacking a bit of confidence.”

Waikato get a bye next week to build that confidence. For Manawatu, things do not get any easier as they face a rampant Canterbury United.