Soccer: Central Brown show character

Kamo mentor fulsome in praise of opposition's grit

Kamo's coach has applauded Central Brown for their efforts in grabbing a 2-2 draw in their premier football clash.

Nick Smith said Central Brown showed a ton of character to hold on for the draw in the last 25 minutes after shooting out to a 2-0 halftime lead for the second week in a row.

"Give credit to Central Brown for their teamwork and commitment," Smith commented. "They really are a standout team and they play well to their strengths.

"We know how they play and what their game plan would be, so it was a case of us doing what we needed to. We knew they would basically set up and look to counter attack, and we paid the price for not concentrating in the first half.

"[In the second half though], they defended tremendously well as a team, and they hung on for the draw."

Smith added that while Central Brown blew them away in the first half on Saturday, the second half was a different story which saw a motivated Kamo side claw their way back into the match.

He said Kamo's player of the day was Steve Schimmel who was the shining light for his side in the first half, doing anything and everything to give his side opportunities.

Central Brown coach Grant Lennon commented that his side struggled in the second half due to injuries, which meant his side had to slip into a defensive structure.

"We lost our striker and just kind of shut up shop and tried to hold them out for the last 25 minutes," Lennon said. "It was a long second half.

"We haven't beaten Kamo in the last few years so to get a draw is a positive result. [However], it is a bit frustrating [falling off the pace in the second half]. We get a start and get up over these teams but can't seem to finish it off.

"We've pushed teams, in the first [half] we seem to dominate but fade away [in the second half]. We've had about half a dozen injuries in the last two weeks which doesn't help."

Lennon said Smith's kudos was appreciated, adding that he was proud of the way his team consistently defends their hearts out.

"I'd say we're probably the team that never gives up, even though we're dropping off at the end," he said.

Lennon added Central Brown's player of the day was captain Jake Mabbett who led from the front after having been out for the last three weeks with injury. Mabbett's brother Heath was also given a pat on the back by Lennon for his efforts.

In other matches, Bream Bay lost 5-nil to Kerikeri while Tikipunga beat Madhatters 4-2.

Kamo 2 (Jacob Nanaton, Steve Schimmel) Central Brown 2 (Jordon Rudman 2). HT: 0-2.