Kaitaia continue stellar start to season
The two Kaitaia men’s teams continued their stellar start to the new 2018 provincial campaign by winning both their matches in the double-header at Taipa on Saturday afternoon.
The 1st team won their clash against arch rivals and neighbours Kerikeri Reserves 2-0 (HT 1-0). Strikes came from central midfielder Braeden Carruthers (also POTD) and defender Steve Daykin as Kaitaia dominated the Far North derby from round 2 of the Northland 1st Division while Keri’s standout was Sam Carpenter.
This match served, ironically, as a curtain-raiser for the Kaitaia Bs who won their Northland 3rd Division clash with Tikipunga 6-0 (HT 1-0). The hosts dominated for the most part and while the score was a fair reflection, Kaitaia were also nearly undone by a couple of defensive howlers before the floodgates opened in the final quarter. Goals by Daniel De Waal 2, Kalani Walters Hewson, Vander Dos Santos, Max Lilly and Rob Covich (also POTD in the midfield), while Tiki’s standout was Erin ‘Woman of’ Steel.
The two Kaitaia teams now each boast two wins from two games and with no goals conceded.
The Kaitaia women also played their first match of their 2018 Northland Women’s Premier Division campaign on Sunday, suffering an away loss to Madhatters Black 4-2 (HT 2-1). Kaitaia could only manage the bare 11 against an opposition with three subs on the bench but despite this scored first with a Jayde Florian strike. Having no reserves saw tiredness creep in allowing Madhatters to gain ascendancy and go out to 4-1 before Florian netted a second.
Also standing out were Isabella Ryan having a blinder in goal and Victoria Walters Price showing sublime technique with a stunning half-volley attempt on goal.
Results by other Far North clubs over the weekend were as follows.
KERIKERI. A Timo Obrez hat trick gave Kerikeri a 3-1 lead of FC at Morningside Park and all three points up for grabs in this Northland Premier Division clash on Saturday.
The men’s second team lost away to Kaitaia at Taipa in the NM1 (see above) while the third team, Kerikeri Siteworx won their Northland 2nd Division clash away against Bream Bay by 5-1.
In women’s football, there was a convincing win for Kerikeri Fairview which enjoyed a big 6-1 home win (HT 2-1) over Tikipunga Diamonds at Waipapa in round 2 of the Northland Women’s Premier Division on Sunday.
Keri coach Eric Hazelden said: “Tikipunga never stopped trying, just a really superb game for us in the second half, we played together as a cohesive team.” Goals by Freda Blaikie 3, Teeanei Williams, Katie Ralph and Michelle
Robinson while POTD was centre back Mickaela Moselen.
Elsewhere, the Kerikeri High School girls went down 2-0 (HT 1-0) to Onerahi in this NWP match in Whangarei. Keri High coach Russell McCabe admitted his side were ambushed by a homeside which had “improved dramatically” from last season. POTD was Lucia Avery in centre midfield.
KAIKOHE. Kaikohe AFC Phoenix making it two wins from two games in the Northland 1st Division with a narrow 2-1 victory (HT 0-2) over FC Whangarei at Morningside Park. Goals came via Sam Cameron and Lee Warren while the standout was young Robbie White in a defensive midfield role. The hosts replied through what Kaikohe ‘keeper Sean White described as a “dubious penalty”. The Kaikohe Scorpions B team lost their Northland 3rd Div clash away to Madhatters Black by 3-2 after the hosts scored a last minute match-winner at William Fraser Park. Kaikohe goals by Haituku ‘Indian Ronaldo’ Ray and Paddy Bohane while 15-year-old ‘keeper Caleb Thompson was named POTD.
KAEO. Kaeo emerged comfortable 4-0 away winners (HT 0-1) over Cosmos in the Far North derby from the Northland 2nd division at Bay of Islands College in this early afternoon fixture. Despite the final scoreline, Kaeo coach Stefano Virgili said the visitors struggled for any cohesiveness which was very frustrating while the young Cosmos side never gave up on a pitch which proved a real leveller (not his exact terms).
“It wasn’t a great game. We were trying to play football. Their young guys were all heart and soul and kept running around, that’s a positive. We missed a lot of chances, dodgy bounce, faulty control, few guys walked off injured, nothing to do with tackles, just wear and tear.”
Goals by Ben Clare, Ike Bailey, Joe Bootland and a Matt Banks’ penalty.
KAWAKAWA. A first half Sharna May goal and a POTD performance from centreback Robyn Bristowe proving the difference against Bream Bay at Ruakaka on Sunday.
John Doevendans’ youthful team lost its home match to Kaeo on Sunday while Paihia lost their NM3 clash at home to the Tikipunga Tuskers 5-1.