Day to forget for Papamoa FC

Papamoa's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end on Saturday with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Taupo.

The Bay of Plenty visitors rarely looked like scoring at Crown Park, and were undone by strikes from Byron Thessman and Matty Lewis, who added to a Papamoa own-goal.

The convincing victory saw The Lakesiders move level on points with Papamoa in a reshaped top four, and a blistering start saw Taupo go 2-0 up in the first five minutes before the visitors could find any kind of composure.

Once Papamoa did find their rhythm, the damage had effectively been done, and Duncan Lowry's side suffered further when Dave Molloy went off injured at half-time along with skipper Isaac Bright.

New boy Cole Peverley came off the bench to make his debut, but a further injury to Andrew Cooper, who departed with what looked like a hamstring injury, suggested it was not going to be Papamoa's day.

As the weather deteriorated, so too did the playing surface, and though Papamoa enjoyed an extended spell of possession after the break, it was Taupo who killed the game off with a well-taken third from a tight angle.

Following the defeat, Lowry said: 'All credit to the Taupo lads - they were well prepared for the contest.

'They hit us hard with two quick goals and they didn't allow us to compose ourselves. I also thought they coped with the sticky playing surface better than us.

'We will take a lot of positives from the game despite the defeat, but it is always a long drive home after a result like this.”

Captain Isaac Bright added: 'In parts of the game we played really well, and we were a level match for our opponents.

'However, our end product was well below par and we will learn from this performance.”

On the signing of former All White Cole Peverley, who made his first appearance for the club at Crown Park, Bright said: 'Cole is a tremendous acquisition. He brings a whole new dimension of skill and wisdom with him.

'I truly wish my late father Alan, who founded Papamoa Football Club, was still around to witness the club's new-found ambition. He would be a very proud man.”

Despite the result, Peverley was also in a positive mood following his debut, saying: 'I have been part of many dressing rooms during my career, but the team spirit and togetherness in this Papamoa squad is right up there with the best I have known.

'I'm really going to enjoy being part of the team.”

Off the pitch, the afternoon was marred by a small group of home supporters stationed opposite the visitors' dugout, who continually hurled foul-mouthed abuse at the Papamoa coaching team.

A disappointed Papamoa Football Club official said: 'We believe the referee will be lodging a complaint.

'Apparently this small group of so-called Taupo supporters make a regular habit of this loutish behaviour. It is such a shame that they tarnish their club in this way.

'This unacceptable behaviour will surely drive genuine football supporters and families away from the game.”

Papamoa's next game is against Tauranga Blue Rovers, at Pemberton Park in Greerton, on Saturday May 26 (kick-off 2:45pm).

Papamoa FC (3-4-3): Ryan Foord; Phillip Fletcher, James Davies, Higgins; Isaac Bright (captain), Top Khamwanthong, Fawwaz Ali, Dean Styles; Andrew Cooper, Dave Molloy, Strauss Boom.

Subs: Cole Peverley, Mitchell Hales, Matthew De Bono.

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