Whakatāne Town’s men’s and women’s football teams picked up positive wins in the last round of action in their Baywide leagues.

Whakatāne Town Pullar Builders men’s team had to dig deep to get all three points against Te Puke but managed a 2-1 victory at Rex Morpeth Park last Saturday.

Te Puke played efficient counter-attacking football, which paid off with a goal to the visitors in the third minute.

The visitors had a few more early chances with the league’s top goalkeeper, Reuben Whittaker, making several great saves to keep town in the game.

Whakatāne then settled down and adjusted to the game and started controlling proceedings from the midfield.

The halftime whistle blew with Whakatāne down at the break, 1-0.

A couple of changes at halftime saw Whakatāne control most of the second half quite comfortably.  New signing Sam Cox-Ellison went through on goal and was taken out in the box; Liam Dooley awarding the penalty.

Chris Kessell stood up and slotted home the goal for Town.

Whakatāne kept possession for long periods of the second half when lightning struck twice as Cox-Ellison was taken down in the box again in the 85th minute, and Kessell stepped up again to bag his second and put Town ahead.

The home side battled hard to the final whistle as Te Puke nearly scored in the final moments, with the post saving Whakatāne.

Stand out players were Whittaker in goal and the returning Cox-Ellison, who was deservedly named man of the match.

Whakatāne sit second in the league, still with a game in hand and travel to Tauranga City League One this week.

Although they sit bottom of the table, Town will not be taking this for granted playing away from home.

In the women’s game, a double to skipper Abby Brogden saw Whakatane Town remain top with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Lakes FC.

Katie Peterson also scored for Town, while the other goal came from a Lakes player, who bagged an own goal.

The victory means the women maintain top spot in the standings with eight straight victories.

As expected, it was a good tight tussle and exactly what Town were after.
Town started with a real hunger to get the ball and that paid off as Brogden scored both of her goals to give them a 2-0 lead.

Lakes scored twice in the opening 20 minutes of the second half to have the game on level pegging once again before a Daisy Jones free kick found the goal with the help of a Lakes defender. Peterson then sealed the win.

Jones was named player of the match for a superb showing, while Chelsea Kerr and Charlotte Anthony were two others, who played superbly for Town.

This weekend they have a bye before welcoming Papamoa Legends to Rex Morpeth Park on July 20.