Cup game final for coach Woodlock
ball a division lower in the Northern League.
But Cambridge found energy and grit to fight back and in the 73rd minute, got their reward when leading goalscorer Josh Clarkin got his head to a cross to gently flick it past goalkeeper Seba Herrero and into the net.
For the final 15 minutes, the Reds tried everything. Going wide, going up the middle, going long, mixing their approach to keep Waiheke on the retreat.
Cambridge went close a couple of times, giving their supporters hopes of extra time.
Unfortunately the final whistle confirmed Cambridge’s exit from this year’s Chatham Cup.
A human tunnel formed to see coach Woodlock off the pitch for the last time.
Woodlock said he was touched by the gesture and was proud of the way the players had performed in the match.
‘‘I’m a bit sad to be going today but we’re in good hands,’’ he said, acknowledging the handover of the coaching role to Paul Richardson.
Woodlock had coached various teams at the club since joining in 2008 and has had three stints coaching the team in the Northern League.
‘‘The last four years have been special,’’ he said, referring to the two WaiBOP Premiership titles won in 2015 and 2017, fol- lowed by an emotional return to the Lotto NRFL second division this year. He has coached the club’s U-19s at the national youth tournament in Napier. Some players he has coached from school to seniors.
On May 17, the last race at Cambridge Raceway has been named in his honour, in recognition of his service to the club and to football.
For more match reports, visit: cambridgefootball.co.nz