Waikato teams fall short in week one

Late equalisers, a thrashing and a derby win were all the headlines for last weekend’s action in the Northern League, as the Waikato’s representatives started their campaigns.

In the women’s premier league, Hamilton Wanderers managed to force a draw from Ellerslie AFC after falling 3-0 down.

Thanks to late heroics from Chelsea Elliot, who scored two headers in added time, Hamilton Wanderers were able to pull themselves level against the newly promoted Auckland side, with Chloe Henderson grabbing the other goal.

Their cross-town rivals, and also newly promoted side Claudelands Rovers had a rude awakening to life in the premier league, after being battered 12-0 by the champions Eastern Suburbs.

Claudelands failed to wake up early in the game and found themselves 1-0 down in the opening seconds.

The Reds survived another 30 minutes without conceding before it all unravelled over the rest of the 90 minutes.

This weekend the two Hamilton teams face off against each other in a derby at Galloway Park on Sunday at 1pm.

In the men’s premier league, Hamilton Wanderers and Melville United suffered opening day defeats to Bay Olympic and Central United respectively. Tommy Semmy and Derek Tieku were on target for Wanderers, but Bay Olympic managed to sneak away with a 5-4 win over the blue side of Hamilton.

Melville United were up against a strong Central United side and fell short at home to lose 4-3.

Kieran Richards, Campbell Brown, and Riku Soejima were all on the scoresheet for Melville United.

Claudelands Rovers were the only Waikato side to pick up a victory in Northern League football, thanks to a 4-3 win over rivals Cambridge FC.

Rovers fell behind early but hit back thanks to Bailey Webster, Jono Vivani and Jacob Robb.

Cambridge fought back after going 4-1 down, scoring twice.

In the men’s league this weekend Melville United are away to Eastern Suburbs, while Hamilton Wanderers will host Waitakere City. Claudelands Rovers will travel to Northland while Cambridge are at home to Oratia United. The match of the weekend will be women’s premier league clash where Hamilton Wanderers and Claudelands Rovers will face off in their first derby since 2018.

Tom Rowland is the manager of Claudelands Rovers premier women’s team.

Photo / Grant Stantiall Chelsea Elliot was the hero for Hamilton Wanderers as she grabbed two goals in the final minutes to level against Ellerslie AFC.