This weekend had plenty of disruptions due to the school football tournament week starting, however we still managed to get some games played. A shout out to our u15 Regional side who recovered and mounted a strong comeback whilst our u17s made the early morning start count by picking up the +3 and moving up the table. A reminder next week we have a new training schedule for term 4 and with Alex Moore being council owed our hands are tied with availability. Additionally this weekend marks the end of the Men's Central League season and we still have plenty to play for. Having achieved a last minute equaliser vs WPX last weekend, thanks to TDP's own Benji Holden, the group knows that a win keeps us in the league. Come down and support the boys in a must win game vs Upper Hutt at Alex Moore with a 2.30pm KO on Saturday.

Finally please speak to your team manager if you have any questions and I look forward to to a successful final few weeks of the season - Tate Macpherson (Director of Football)

CDL U13 Mixed - Mark Gilchrist & Chris BaileyMatch Report vs Island Bay

Onslow North Wellington went into the game determined to respond positively after a tough result the previous week. The team showed focus and energy right from the warm-up, and this carried into the opening stages. Their sharp passing and use of width created early chances, and Johnny West put them ahead with a strong run and composed finish from the left wing. However, after taking the lead, focus dropped slightly and Island Bay grew into the game, equalising before adding another to lead 2–1 at halftime. The halftime message was clear: return to the early intensity and play as a unit rather than individually.Despite good intent in the second half, Island Bay came out stronger and extended their advantage with two more goals. ONW continued to battle, creating several chances and forcing strong saves from the Island Bay goalkeeper. Persistence was rewarded when Leo broke through the defence to score late, but the match ended 4–2 in Island Bay’s favour.Two standout individual performances deserve special mention. Eddie displayed incredible tenacity and drive throughout the match, giving everything for the team. His relentless effort came at a cost, as he unfortunately sustained a fractured arm that will rule him out for the remainder of the season. A testament to his commitment and courage on the field. Etienne also produced a man of the match display, stepping into the unfamiliar role of right back with confidence. He showed composure on the ball, strength in challenges, and a real dominance in his play that lifted the team.While the result was disappointing, the team showed resilience and created plenty of opportunities. With two big matches ahead against table leaders Petone, the focus now shifts to applying the lessons learned and finishing the season strongly.

Next Match - Friday 29th August 7pm vs Petone @ Petone Memorial 1 Turf

CDL U14s Girls - Diarmuid & Daisy Brazendale

BYE Weekend

Next Match - Sunday 31st August 9am vs Island Bay @ Wakefield Park

Regional U15 Mixed - Arun LambMatch Report vs Island Bay

A tough fought battle on Sunday morning against Petone resulted in a 2-2 draw. Matt Affleck scored a fantastic lob from outside the 18 yard box , and a strong run from James Inglis ended in a low drive into the bottom corner. We started the first half on the back foot, and conceded early on, starting a bit of an uphill battle. Our passes were flat and slightly nervous, with a lot of backwards play and short spells of possession. We gained control after going 1-0 down, and were playing most of the game in Petone’s half, pinning them in effectively with some high and aggressive defensive work. Unfortunately we conceded a 2nd (2-0) against the run of play, after having an equaliser ruled out as offside - ONW came out in the 2nd half knowing there was work to do.We did well - with a mentality switch and a change of pace - and began to really test the Petone defence. We were unlucky not to score a winner - but our two goals from Matt and James were well deserved and reflected the overall game (2-2 FT). Takeaways for us, I think we need to be far braver on the ball - and with our passing. Often we were playing ourselves into corners, with overly defensive passing and player movement that didn’t allow us to move the ball effectively. We gave Petone the upper hand in the first half - but showed good resolve to have the match under control by about the 20th minute. The score line could have been 3-2 or 4-2, we kept knocking at the door but couldn’t find a winner. Attacking intent is important, and we need to ensure that our front line aren’t left to do all the work - midfielders need to be backing up the play and arriving underneath. We were exploited in these spaces slightly today. Overall a game that showed our teams character over anything else - fighting back from 2 goals down is no mean feat. You all played your individual parts and your roles within the team really well. There is a reason we control games and control possession, and that reason is your work rate. Which couldn’t be faulted today - so well played to each of you; some fantastic performances from a few individuals makes it hard to choose a POTM. Today mine was Abbey for some brilliant attacking play. Some really brave football played, and playing her role as an 8 with creative passing that was continually testing the Petone defence. Another shout out to Lachie for playing a really strong game, preventing at least 1 Petone goal and having the courage to test their midfield and play passes over the top, really helpful for our game breaking lines and going forward. As a side you should all be very proud of your growth across the season - 5 weeks ago we might not have had the grit to come back from a 2 goal deficit. Well done and well earned.

Next Match - Sunday 31st August 9am vs NWFC Regional u15 @ Alex Moore Turf

CDL U15 Mixed - Steve Fullelove & Jeremy Young

BYE Weekend

Next Match - Sunday 31st August 10:30am vs Greytown @ Alex Moore Turf

CDL U16 Girls - Kimberly Fiszer & Tate Macpherson

BYE Weekend

Next Match - Sunday 31st August 10:30 vs Miramar Rangers @ St Pats Town

CDL U17 Mixed - Hayden Polyansky & Tate Macpherson

Match Report vs Waterside Karori

With a very early start we knew it would be a challenge for this age group to not only rise to the occasion but simply rise out of bed! Thankfully the lads were all switched on and ready to go.It was a cold winter’s morning with frost on the pitch, but the sun was shining and with hardly a breeze it looked a great day for football.Unfortunately, the pitch itself told a different story. Patchy, bobbly, and slick with frost and dew, it was always going to test our touch and make consistency hard to find. With a few players away or carrying knocks, we called on our U15s – Will and Conner – who stepped up once again and impressed throughout.We aimed to start strong and stamp our authority early. Passing was difficult in the conditions and the opening stages were scrappy, but the intensity was high and we looked dangerous. Our bright start was rewarded just four minutes in when Jett rose highest to head home from a corner. The perfect platform.Possession swung back and forth as both sides struggled with the greasy ball. Ten minutes later Karori equalised, working the ball across the box with a shot saved from Jack before finding their man following up with the shot fired in.We responded well, continuing to push forward with Ollie holding up play brilliantly in midfield and driving runs creating problems, while Yenul tormented his marker on the right, beating his man time and again. On 23 minutes, Will timed his run perfectly to meet another corner and nodded us back in front, 2–1.Chances continued to flow but at the cost of energy. Fatigue and injuries were already creeping in, and with Karori looking dangerous on the counter we needed to be careful and if it wasn't a few good saves from Jack we could have been stung. Thankfully Sam was superb at the back – reading the game well, breaking up play, and distributing with composure. We went into the break 2–1 up, but the game still felt finely balanced.The second half began with a bang. Just minutes after the restart a neat build-up from the back saw the ball worked into Zac on the edge of the area, who slotted home calmly to give us a crucial two-goal cushion. With breathing space we began to show more composure in possession, stringing passes together and opening Karori up. Jett continued to cause havoc with his movement in behind, coming close on several occasions. On 70 minutes, Yenul powered his way through the middle, holding off defenders before sliding the ball past the onrushing keeper. Even after being taken down, he reacted fastest to the loose ball and finished with determination – a brilliant goal that put us 4–1 ahead. We looked in control with possession and territory, but Karori refused to lie down. On 78 minutes a turnover in midfield left us outnumbered, and they broke at pace down the right before squaring to the far post to pull one back, 4–2.That proved the final twist, and we saw the game out for a well-earned three points.There were standout performances across the pitch. Zac worked tirelessly in midfield and thoroughly deserved his goal. Our U15s were excellent – Conner showing composure and vision on the ball, and Will dangerous up top, unlucky not to add to his goal after a superb half-volley was kept out by a stunning save. Codie and Sam were dominant at centre-back, forming a solid partnership.But Man of the Match went to Yenul – full of passion and strength, driving forward with confidence and purpose. He fought for everything, made things happen, and capped it off with a quality goal.A strong performance, a big shift from the team, and a well-deserved 4–2 win.

Next Match - Sunday 31st August 12pm vs Petone @ Alex Moore Turf

Article added: Wednesday 27 August 2025