In a commanding display, The Island Bay Alts FC secured a resounding 6-0 victory over Tawa Reserves in their league match at Wakefield Park on 17 May 2025. The match kicked off at 1:00pm, showcasing the Alts' attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation throughout the 90 minutes.
The Island Bay Alts lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to maximise their offensive capabilities while maintaining a sturdy backline. Fred Smith occupied the goalkeeping position, shielded by a back four consisting of Bryan James on the right, Joe Cook and Aaron Fed in central defence, and Ajay Dhanjee on the left. Mark Peters played as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. Ahead of him, David Moffat and Gary Byrne operated as right and left attacking midfielders, respectively, while Max Walker, David MacIver, and Andy Riley formed a dynamic front three.
The substitutes for the match included Harry Demetriou, Sean Peetz, Jack Scott, Bryan Diaz, and Euan Alexander, providing the manager with tactical options as the game progressed.
The scoring opened in the 13th minute when David Moffat found the back of the net, assisted by David MacIver, who delivered a precise pass to set up the goal. Just two minutes later, Gary Byrne doubled the lead, again with MacIver providing the assist, showcasing the forward's ability to create opportunities.
As the first half progressed, Tawa Reserves struggled to contain the relentless attacking play of the Alts. The home side went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead, leaving Tawa with much to ponder.
The second half began with the Alts continuing their dominance. In the 51st minute, Mark Peters scored a stunning goal from outside the area, striking with his right foot after receiving a short pass from Moffat. This goal further solidified the Alts' control of the match.
However, the game took a slight turn when Peters received a yellow card in the 64th minute for dissent, a moment that briefly disrupted the flow of the game. Nevertheless, the Alts remained focused and tactical changes were made shortly after.
In the 67th minute, Harry Demetriou replaced David MacIver, followed by further substitutions in the 77th minute as Sean Peetz came on for Ajay Dhanjee, Jack Scott replaced Gary Byrne, and Bryan Diaz took the place of Mark Peters. These changes aimed to maintain the momentum and freshen up the squad as the match wore on.
Max Walker added to the scoreline in the 74th minute, scoring with his right foot after a long pass from Andy Riley, showcasing the Alts' attacking depth. The game continued to flow in favour of the home side, and in the 83rd minute, Jack Scott scored with a powerful header, assisted by Walker, further extending the lead to 5-0.
As the match approached its conclusion, David Moffat capped off a stellar performance by scoring his second goal in the 88th minute, converting a short pass from Andy Riley inside the box with his right foot, bringing the final score to an emphatic 6-0.
The referee's performance was notably poor, contributing to a lack of control over the match, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the Island Bay Alts, who celebrated a comprehensive victory. Bryan James was recognised for his outstanding performance, earning the accolade of Player of the Match. The Alts will look to build on this momentum as they continue their league campaign.
