Flying Mullet Papamoa FC reeling from injuries and absentees from their line up were delighted to welcome Argentine midfield maestro Naz Luna into the team.

Naz arrived in town two months back and has trained week in, week out with the team patiently waiting for his international clearance to be confirmed.

The patience certainly paid off with an impressive man of the match performance.

Papamoa were without Philip Fletcher, Campbell Attwood and Strauss Boom all unavailable for various reasons, Dave Molloy suspended after last weeks red card and goalkeeper Ryan Foord sidelined for the rest of the season and leading goalscorer Andrew Cooper along with Fawwaz Ali not fully fit starting on the bench, creating a huge selection challenge for the coaching staff.

In windy conditions the game started at a lively pace with the home side's intentions to attack from the off in evidence.

The first goal was not long in coming with Mitch Hales latching on to a loose ball in the Tokoroa penalty area giving the keeper very little chance.

That the scoreline remained at 1-0 throughout the first half was puzzling as the home side launched one wave of attack after another with the lively Logan Crawford catching the eye with his strong driving runs into the Tokoroa goal area from both flanks, switching swiftly with young Liam Molloy.

The youngster delivering numerous accurate crosses setting up chances that his team mates failed to take advantage of.

Newcomer Naz Luna providing to be a handful for the Tokoroa midfield, running them ragged time and time again.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Papamoa not being able to penetrate further. Just after the hour mark the tiring Alex Wilson was replaced by Matthew De Bono both players returning from injury and illness.

Followed twenty minutes later with the introduction of the patched up Andrew Cooper and Faawaz Ali on for Mitch Hales and Liam Molloy.

Cooper soon set about his business with his trademark attacking style, which was soon rewarded with Tokoroa conceding a penalty which ‘Mr Reliable' Cole Peverley converted in his usual confident manner.

With the 2-0 win Papamoa return to second place in the Waibop Premiership.

'A great effort today considering the number of players unavailable. Ideally we would have liked more goals out of this game, goal difference is likely to feature in the final league table standings,” says head coach Duncan Lowry.

'I watched Cole Peverley out there today. I had him playing out of his normal position but he adapted like the seasoned player that he is. He has been an incredible influence to all those around him. We call him Mr Reliable and for good reason.”

'I do hope all those associated with our club appreciate his contribution. He is a joy to watch and manage.”

'Delighted to have Naz Luna on the field today,” says member of the coaching staff Andy Birchenough.

'The first time I saw him at training I could see he was a footballer.”

'A big thank you to the club for making it possible.”