Away in a blaze of glory
Onehunga Sports’ hopes of winning a maiden football ASB Chatham Cup came to a crashing halt at Fred Taylor Park on Sunday as they capitulated 7-0 at the hands of Waitakere City in their quarter-final encounter.
The exit of the ‘‘ The Green Machine’’ means this is the first year since 1995 in which central Auckland football teams have failed to reach the semi-final stage of either the ASB Chatham Cup or the ASB National Women’s Knockout Cup.
It was better news in Lotto Northern Premier Women’s League action, where Three Kings United handed Fencibles United a 7-2 hiding at Keith Hay Park.
Claudia Crasborn and two-goal markswoman Jessie Mathews found the net for Three Kings.
But the star of the show was Tessa Berger, who marked her final game for the club with a four-goal barrage, three of which came in the last five minutes and included a trademark bullet header.
Berger heads to the United States this week to take up a scholarship at Florida Gulf State University.
Central United returned to their winning ways in the Lotto Northern Premier League, Daniel Koprivcic’s goal earning them a 1-0 win over Ellerslie at Kiwitea St.
Three Kings United’s 3-1 win at Hamilton Wanderers has greatly eased their relegation concerns.
The league’s co-leading goal-scorers, Mikhail Bredeveldt and Blair Konik, were on target again while Scott Campbell also chimed in.
It’s central Auckland derby day in the Premier League on Saturday, with Three Kings and Central United clashing at Keith Hay Park, while Onehunga Sports and Bay Olympic meet at Waikaraka Park.
At the other end of the table, Onehunga-Mangere United overcame Warkworth 4-2 at Shoesmith Reserve, led by a brace of Hayden Cleere goals.
Charlie Rewha also struck for Onehunga-Mangere, with the opposition contributing an own goal to the sixthplaced team’s victory.
‘‘The Mountain Men’’ are at home on Saturday where they will take on last-placed Manukau City at Mangere Domain.