The 2020 senior Horowhenua-Kapiti season drew to a successful close for Waikanae with the Jets taking out the HK Plate with a 4-1 Victory over Manakau while the remaining teams all attained podium finishes in the end of season competition. The Wanderers were desperately unlucky to miss out on the HK Bowl – losing 4-2 on penalties after battling out a 0-0 draw in the final. In another photo-finish the Coasters missed winning the HK Shield on goal difference by one goal! Earlier the Strollers and Hawks were handed third placings in their respective competitions, the HK Cup and the Bowl ensuring all our senior HK teams had a podium finish!
The Jets travelled up the road for the final to face a physical Manakau side on their home turf. The Dave Horton coached side managed to absorb pressure and control play to build a handy 3-1 half time lead through goals by Dave Reynolds, Jani Figur-Ambler and Derryn Ward. In the second half Jani Figur-Ambler made it a brace to seal a 4-1 win while keeper Luke Morgan pulled off a couple of magnificent saves to preserve the winning margin.
Outside the HK senior competition the Club had two other notable wins with the u13 team Osos Poderosos (Mighty Bears), coached by Bernardo Neil, taking out the Wellington Premier competition with a 4-3 win over Stop Out away. This appears to be the best result Waikanae has attained in the Junior ranks and bodes well for the future of the Club.
Not to be outdone the Firsts, playing Petone who had lost just once in 17 games, managed to inflict a 6-2 defeat on the competition leaders at Jim Cooke Park. The victory, and some strong performances during the back end of the season, hinted at the potential this team has after having to build from their disrupted start to the season. Coach Adam Price can be proud of the results, not only with some epic victories but more importantly the development of players in both skill and attitude.
With the Erin Walter Memorial tournament on 3rd October and summer soccer kicking off 15 October there’s little time for some to rest before the planning for the 2021 season begins.
The Club thanks all those players, coaches, managers, supporters and sponsors for ensuring the season was a successful one after the challenges brought about during the season by the Covid situation. We look forward to seeing you back in 2021.