Goal king Cole sends Papamoa top

Cole Peverley scores the only goal of the game to send Papamoa back to the top of the WaiBop Premiership table. All photos: Bob Ricketts.

Papamoa regained top spot in the Waibop Premiership on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 win over West Hamilton United.

A first-half penalty from Cole Peverley was enough to clinch all three points for Duncan Lowry's men, who moved above their opponents following the top-of-the-table clash having played a game less.

Young defender James Davies was handed the captain's armband for the day to mark his final appearance before heading off to the USA on a four-year scholarship.

Not for the first time this season, the away side turned up at Gordon Spratt Reserve determined to stifle Papamoa's attacking formation.

But once again it was a masterclass from goalkeeper Ryan Foord, alongside a commanding shift from Peverley in front of the back three, that led to another clean-sheet to keep their unbeaten home record intact.

Newly-appointed physio Heinrich Mollentze sprung into action in the opening stages when Dave Molloy sustained a cut to his head.

New Papamoa physio Heinrich Mollentze (right) with an injured Dave Molloy.

And another new face made his Papamoa debut when defender Campbell Attwood came off the bench, with Lowry delighted to add the former Auckland City Under-23s captain to his ranks as Davies departs.

'The timing is just perfect,” he says. 'James Davies - the player Attwood will replace - played his last game for us on Saturday, so signing Campbell was just meant to be.

'James has been outstanding for us so far this season, and his are some big boots to fill, but by signing Campbell Attwood I believe the football gods have been smiling on us.

'Campbell is another top-quality player who has recently arrived in the Bay of Plenty after playing for Southern United, Hamilton Wanderers and Auckland City's Under-23s.

Papamoa manager Duncan Lowry (left) welcomes new signing Campbell Attwood to the club.

'We're delighted with the win. We are back where we should be, at the top of the table. It wasn't a pretty game, but our lads stuck to their task and earned the three points.”

Another to heap praise on Davies was first-team coach Andy Birchenough.

The 18-year-old former Aquinas College schoolboy has landed a scholarship at Salve Regina University in the city of Newport, Rhode Island.

'I have no doubt that James will be a success,” says Birchenough. 'He is a very mature young man for his age. He's full of confidence and a willing learner.

'His development during the first half of our current season has been superb, and we are certainly going to miss his cheerful personality and, of course, his defensive skills.”

James Davies (left), who made his final appearance for Papamoa on Satruday, with first-team coach Andy Birchenough.

Davies, who turned out for Tauranga City at Under-17 and Under-19 level earlier in his career, will study for a BSc in Business and Commerce while continuing his development as a central defender in the New England regional college league.

'Working under the coaching team of Duncan Lowry, Andy Birchenough and Gary Darkes has been an incredible experience,” says the 18-year-old.

'Not only are they a great coaching team, they are all really nice people who care about the players.

'Playing alongside Campbell Higgins has also been a joy, and I have learned so much from him, as well as Cole Peverley more recently.”

Papamoa FC (3-4-3): Ryan Foord; Campbell Higgins, James Davies (captain), Phillip Fletcher; Cole Peverley, Fawwaz Ali, Isaac Bright, Dean Styles; Mitchell Hales, Dave Molloy, Alex Wilson. Substitutes: Strauss Boom, Mathew De Bono, Andrew Cooper, Campbell Attwood, Harris Enlin (GK).

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