Wanderers hold their nerve

Down to nine men and having conceded a late equaliser, Hamilton Wanderers’ worst nightmares looked like they might be about to come true against Tauranga City United on Sunday.

Franco Berti had other ideas, however, slotting home from the penalty spot to secure them a 2-1 win, their first since the end of June, and a massive three points along with it.

A Tauranga own goal had earlier given them the lead, but they then lost Jama Boss and Alexis Varela to red cards in the second half, and the hosts were able to strike back with a penalty of their own late on to tie things up.

The result means Tauranga’s hopes of survival in their first season in the Northern Region Premier Division have been dealt a big blow, while Wanderers will almost surely stay up now, barring a miracle turnaround from both Western Springs and Bay Olympic.

Western Springs have only won one of their last 10 league games, and slumped to a 3-0 loss against Melville United at home on Saturday, a result that has given

the Hamilton-based side a faint glimmer of hope in their own struggle for survival.

Melville will need a point from their final game, which will be against Birkenhead United on a date in September yet to be determined, and for Western Springs and Bay Olympic to not pick up any more, or three, and for Western Springs and Bay Olympic to pick up no more than two, if they are to avoid relegation.

Given they lost 8-1 to Birkenhead earlier in the season, it’s an unlikely prospect, but if nothing else they’ve given themselves a chance.

Club stalwart Aaron Scott led the way for them on Saturday, firing a shot home from an early corner, which was quickly followed by a Marc Evans free kick that put them two goals to the good, with Kieran Frewen adding a third towards the end of the second half.

Wanderers now have a fivepoint lead on Western Springs and Bay Olympic, a margin that is unlikely to be erased, given almost all of the three sides’ remaining games are against those in the title hunt - Wanderers have two left, while Springs and Olympic each have three.

In the second division, Claudelands Rovers have secured a northern league place for another year, despite losing 4-0 to Fencibles United in Auckland. They have Takapuna to thank for keeping them up, after the side from Auckland’s North Shore beat Northland 2-0, consigning them to the drop instead.

Meanwhile, Ngaruawahia United lost for the first time since April, going down 3-0 to Waitemata, who clinched promotion to the first division as a result.

Next Saturday, Ngaruawahia host Manukau City, who have also been promoted, then the following week they host Claudelands.