Far North teams struggle in KO cup opening round

KAITAIA. It was a hapless weekend for the two Kaitaia men’s teams who both went down in their respective competitions on Saturday.

The Kaitaia As lost to Kerikeri Reserves 3-nil in the Far North derby from the Northland 1st Division (where teams have now been split into top 5/ bottom 6 format) with goals by George Smith, Patrick Hasslebarth and a Tyler Makrel stunner. It was one of the home side’s better performances after dropping the ball in the previous two games, POTD went to stalwart Graham Sharp at the back. Kaitaia player coach James Van Engelen was unimpressed with the visitors’ performance to say the least, POTD was Bayley Milne on the left flank

Further south, the Kaitaia B 3rd div side were humiliated 11-0 by 2nd divvers Ngunguru in round 1 of the Stafford Choat Cup. Ngunguru FC is enjoying a stellar inaugural season in provincial competition under the guidance of former Kaitaia FC stalwart Andy Booth who happily played for his old team which travelled seriously short on numbers. His presence did little to stem the onslaught and it should be noted the final scoreline was flattering to the visitors.

In Northland women’s prem div football on Sunday, Kaitaia beat Central Brown 3-2 (HT 3-0) at Taipa. Kaitaia gained the upper-hand in the first half with two strikes from Kalani Walters Hewson — one a beautiful overhead kick off a corner — and a Karina WaltersPrice goal

Central Brown fought back strongly in the second half, forcing the Kaitaia defence working hard in what proved a great game enjoyed by all. Leela Brown was named POTD after stepping up to play goalie in the second half.

KERIKERI. Kerikeri Bay Builders enjoyed a good 3-1 win over Tikipunga in the Northland Premier Division at Waipapa thanks to goals from Timo Obrez, Harrison White and Liam Nash. The hosts mostly dominated the game and created several chances but Tiki’s ‘keeper had another very good game to keep the score respectable. Keri POTD was Shane King.

The Bs won 3-0 at home against Kaitaia (see above), while the third team, Kerikeri Siteworx went down 4-3 to NM2 stablemates Madhatters Green in an enthralling Stafford Choat Cup which had to go to a penalty shoot-out after full time was tied 1-1 (no extra time played). A total of 24 penalties were taken in the shootout with only seven scored much to the delight of the watching crowd. Keri POTD Jon Streamer.

In women’s football on Sunday, Kerikeri High hosted and beat Madhatters 5-1 (HT 2-0). Coach Russell McCabe said it was a complete team performance and the first time his side had won this fixture by this margin. “We are happy to be at the top of the table, just got to stay there now.” Goals by Rochelle Jones 2, Holly Inwood, Lucia Avery and Kate Moyle.

Elsewhere, Kerikeri Fairview women lost 2-0 (HT 1-0) away to Onerahi. Standout was GK Sarah Hazelden who coach Eric Hazelden said “played an absolutely superb match . . . A good fair game and, to be fair, the better team won.”

KAWAKAWA. The Bay Cosmos men lost their Stafford Choat Cup opener away to 2nd Div stablemates Central Brown Reserves by 4-2 (HT 4-0) but coach John Doevendans was impressed at his players’ improvement after half time.

“I didn’t have a good feeling, guys just weren’t listening . . . Second half we were the better team. The difference in play was just amazing.

‘‘It just showed the guys they can do it if they are prepared.”

Goals by Shane Vincent and Albert Clendon while standout was defender Sam Ross Vincent who “did a ton of work”.

The Bay Cosmos women beat Kamo on Sunday by 1-0 (HT 0-0), adding to the longstanding champions’ current fallfrom-grace woes. Kamo hit the post in the first half and also had a penalty saved by Jayde Rogers before Aleisha Norman — one of the Cosmos team’s babies — scored the match winner. Coach Jeff May said the three points were secured via an “outstanding” second half performance.

PAIHIA. Northland 3rd Divvers Paihia were drawn against 2nd Divvers Bream Bay United for this Stafford Choat Cup opener in Ruakaka on Saturday, and eventually went down 4-1 (HT 4-0). Missing three or four key players, the visitors felt the score may have flattered the hosts after a relatively green Paihia side missed a couple of clear-cut opportunities in the first half before finding their feet and scoring the only second half goal with a Cameron Brown penalty. Standout was leftback Wayne Brown.

KAIKOHE. The Kaikohe Phoenix (who are also in the top 5 of the NM1) lost 5-0 away to Mangawhai with Paddy Bohane named POTD. The Kaikohe Scorpions lost 1-0 away to the Tikipunga Kerala Tuskers in an all NM3-clash from round 1 of the Stafford Choat Cup played under lights at Tikipunga on Friday night where standout was 15-year-old goalie Kaleb Thompson.

KAEO. Kaeo advancing to round 2 of the Stafford Choat Cup where they could well get a chance to prove themselves against a side from a higher division after beating fellow 2nd divvers Kamo Whangarei Aluminium 6-1 (HT 2-1) at Kamo.

Player manager Stefano Virgili noted the visitors strung together some really nice phases of play for all six goals, with two apiece for Africans Nonu Junang and Ryan Mugumira, and Kiwi Ben Claire; while man of the match was Peruvian Luis Reina.

“Good physical game. It was a statement for us. We had a lot of injuries, some played their first game.

‘‘The crossbar was humming. We hit it I don’t know how many times.” Virgili said, adding the hosts had two good strikers but strong defence held them at bay for the most part.