Hawke's Bay United goalkeeper Oscar Mason made his debut for the home side in the absence of Scott Morris. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay United goalkeeper Oscar Mason made his debut for the home side in the absence of Scott Morris. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay United debutant goalkeeper Oscar Mason says he'll never forget his first match for the club after helping keep United's playoff hopes alive in a 3-2 victory over Wellington Phoenix Reserves.
Coming from behind to beat the Phoenix Reserves in Napier on Sunday, United moved within two points ofthe fourth and final playoff spot in the ISPS Men's Handa Premiership table.
Sixteen-year-old Mason made his first appearance for United in the absence of Scott Morris, who was given a rest after 11 straight starts.
The Napier-born teen impressed between the sticks and said the squad are back in the hunt for a playoff spot after the "must-win game".
"I think l played well for a debut - I made a couple of good saves and a big one at 2-2 that kept us in the game," he said.
"It's a special feeling making my debut for a team I used to watch when I was younger and having Jonathan Gould there to help me is huge. It was pretty special and a game I will never forget."
The Napier Boys' High School student featured once for Napier City Rovers in a 2-1 victory over Miramar Rangers AFC in July last year, at the age of 15.
Hawke's Bay midfielder Ahmad Othman poked home the winner in the 82nd minute to keep their playoff hopes alive. Photo / Paul Taylor
At Bluewater Stadium, things kicked off with a sequence of sloppy passes between the visitors' backline - United frontman Jorge Akers capitalising as he lifted the ball over a helpless Alex Paulsen from long range in the fifth minute.
The home side enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the remainder of the first half, with a number of opportunities to extend their lead not taken.
Mason, a product of Napier Marist Football Club, also pulled off a handful of smart saves before the half-time whistle.
Wellington Phoenix came out strong after the break, finding an equaliser through former HBU midfielder Luis Toomey from a free kick in the 47th minute.
The visitors went ahead 20 minutes later through Riley Bidois, who slotted home a well-worked move past Mason.
But United responded quickly to level the scores after a slick move was bundled home by Akers for his sixth goal of the season.
Hawke's Bay deservedly snatched all three points after former Phoenix Reserves midfielder Ahmad Othman poked home the winner in the 82nd minute.
Hawke's Bay United are due to face fellow playoff hopefuls Waitakere United on Sunday at 4pm at Seddon Fields, Auckland, before a home tie against another playoff contender, Eastern Suburbs, on the final day of the season.
Akers, who now sits atop of the club's scoring charts, said the victory was a "stepping stone towards the playoffs".
