Nelson Suburbs has turned in a gutsy second half performance to beat Ferrymead Bays 4-1 in the opening round of football’s Southern League at Saxton Field today.
Going into the half time break the game was scoreless and Suburbs were down to ten men after Dauntae Mariner was shown a straight red for a sliding tackle shortly before half time.
That should have meant advantage Ferrymead Bays, which was the more impressive of the two teams in the opening 45 minutes.
Instead, Nelson Suburbs came out fighting and outworked the visitors to dominate the second half, scoring four outstanding goals along the way.
Captain Lennon Whewell was a constant threat in the middle of the park, winning possession and getting his side on the front foot. But he was far from being the lone warrior for the hosts. Marcello Riley, Trevin Myers, Jay Anderson, Ben Polak and Ilan Mastrocola-Simon all had impressive games.
Suburbs scored two goals either side of Ferrymead Bays lone goal.
Marcello opened the scoring, turning the ball in at the back post after a Travin Myers free kick was whipped into the box. Substitute striker Seb Hickman then beat the off-side trap to be one-on-one with Ferrymead Bays goalkeeper before slotting it between his legs to give the hosts a 2-0.
Ferrymead’s goal was tapped in from close range by hard-working right winger Luca Marson.
That set up a nervy 20 minutes or so until Travin drove through the middle of the pitch before releasing Ben Polak who, after beating his marker on the outside, smashed the ball into the top corner to score the game’s best goal from an acute angle.
Seb put the game beyond doubt when Ilan skipped through the Ferrymead defence before cutting it back for Seb to score after his first attempt was blocked.
Nelson Suburbs co-coach Ryan "Skippy" Stewart was delighted with the fight his side showed.
“We were brilliant. We didn't get started in the first half. I think we looked like a team that hadn't played a lot of games, because unfortunately, we haven't had as many preseason matches that we'd have liked.
“But I said it at halftime, we could still win this. We’ve got the players there that can change the game, and we just made a couple of tweaks. And I think it worked for us and the attitude out of possession, was incredible. We’re a young side but we're energetic and willing to work. And hey, 4-1 with 10 men, you can't say anything bad about it.”
Indeed, the only blot on the performance was the sending off of Dauntae which is likely to mean he will miss the next three matches, unless Suburbs win an appeal into the decision.
Skippy also thanked the support from the good-sized crowd.
"It's good to see people from all the clubs here supporting us, that's awesome. It's what we're here for, to represent the region and that's what we're going to do every game we play."
Suburbs will head south next weekend to take on Christchurch United, which beat Nomads 4-2 yesterday.
Nelson Suburbs 4 (Marcello Riley, Seb Hickman x2, Ben Polak. Ferrymead Bays 1 (Luca Marson).
