Birkenhead Outmuscle Eastern Suburbs

This is my second and the last of the football adventures in my New Zealand trip. This time around I had made the journey north of the city centre and watched Birkenhead United host Eastern Suburbs in another match in the Northern Premier League which will determine the four participants for the national league. Birkenhead's ground is in an open park much like Auckland City, but with more playing fields as there were reserves and masters matches being played while the premier league side played at the main ground. Shepherds Park is in the quaint, quiet and idyllic Northshore neighbourhood of Auckland that has a beach to the north, making it another unique football venue. To get there is much easier by car, however, I did not have one so I caught the ferry from the Downtown ferry terminal adjacent to the Britomart station in central Auckland. The journey is very picturesque, especially as you go under the Auckland Harbour Bridge and you motor away towards Birkenhead and you see the city skyline trail off into the distance in the ferry's wake.

 

Initially I did not know which football pitch was hosting the premier league match, but the flags around the ground was a dead giveaway and the main pavilion and clubrooms were there also. The venue is very much similar to Auckland City, though slightly better I would think, but somewhat on par with lower tiered state league or NPLWA sides that I have been to over the years, especially during the lifetime of the Punctual Football Fan.

Birkenhead playing in red and white vertical stripes hosted Eastern Suburbs, which it must be me though every time I see a team called "Eastern Suburbs" they are almost certainly kitted out in black and white. Just a strange observation with no hard numerical evidence, just my personal observation obviously. Anyway, back to the article! Eastern Suburbs were in all black with white but yellow trim and unlike last week, these two teams were in the top 6 and were vying to push further up the table and hopefully to qualify for the national league. It was a very competitive match with both teams pushing and jostling for supremacy with many chances from both sides over the match.

With that said, it was however, Birkenhead that had maintained the stronger hand and would be too strong in the 20th minute with a lapse in concentration from Easts, which had cost them a turnover and resulted in the goal being scored by the hosts. The small crowd went 'birko' and the pun was very much intended here! Towards the end of the first half Easts had rebounded from the shock and did pose serious threats to the Birkenhead defence, but was all fruitless. It was 1-0 and half time to the hosts.

There was a small grandstand along the wing that was cut into the sloped embankment of the ground and the match was played under rather warm and sunny Auckland wintery conditions that did make it a challenge to watch the game from as the angle of the winter sun was making it hard to watch and take photos of the game. But it was a really lovely day and glad that it was not a day that was dark, gloomy, windy, freezing, wet and with rain.

The second half was very much like the first with both sides pushing each other and probing for a goal. Easts were really trying to find the equaliser and there were many moments where I thought that they had found the breakthrough, only to be denied by some great Birkenhead keeping and defending. To alleviate the pressure, they would usually just hoof it out to clear it upfield. A simple yet effective strategy over this match. While it was a tighter and more hard fought match in the second half, it was the hosts who had drew second blood and scored in the 77th minute to double their lead and to hold off the numerous counters and probes into their defence. Eastern Suburbs had been applying the pressure on the hosts all game and although on the two occasions they had allowed Birkenhead to score and hold a hefty 2-0 advantage, they did manage to draw one back and it did look like that the visitors could pose a serious threat and press on for an equaliser. This was not to happen and the match ended in favour of Birkenhead 2-1 to keep them in the hunt for qualification for the national league spot for later this season.

As for the food, what a contrast from Auckland City. Birkenhead had a kitchen at the ready and there was a nice variety of food to choose from. I chose loaded fries with sweet chili sauce, bacon and cheese. It was for 9 dollars and I had it with a Birkenhead Ale and that was 5 dollars. Afterwards I had a can of L&P and a can of coke for 2 dollars each. But the drink and food were all reasonably priced and plenty on offer too. Though one thing I have noticed and it must be an Auckland football thing is that the interior of the clubrooms are festooned with flags, scarves and knick-knacks from all around the world and just look cluttered, kitsch and tacky.

The experience at Shepherds Park was a refreshing one compared to last week and what they had on offer was very much akin to amateur football back in Perth as well as the lower tiered NPLWA sides. But despite that lower quality of football it was an enjoyable day that was hard fought between both sides and amongst a side that put on something for the fans and ones who have curiously ventured to watch them. If you are ever in Beach Haven and a game is on here, I suggest you take some time out of your Saturday and enjoy.