Kaitaia claims champs’ scalp
KAITAIA. The best result by a Kaitaia team over the weekend came from the club women, who downed longstanding champions Kamo on a windblown Kaitaia College bottom field by 4-3 (HT 3-3) on Sunday. Which ended up being the talking point of provincial football over the weekend, and was even more remarkable considering the homeside did it with 10 players against a visiting side carrying three subs.
A goalfest was on the cards at half time, only for the scoring to dry up in the second spell before Kalani Walters Hewson snatched a late matchwinner. Coach Glen Florian then pulled all his playmakers back to defend the slender advantage.
Kaitaia’s other goal by Jayde Florian (she and Walters Hewson had also excelled for the club’s 2nd div team against Madhatters Green the day before). Glen Florian gave the whole team POTD and said it was disappointing to see not even half the Kamo team staying for the aftermatch.
On Saturday, the Kaitaia men’s first team managing to complete the long trip to Mangawhai and back with a share of the points in this Northland 1st Division (NM1) clash which finished 2-all on Saturday. Kaitaia goals by Daniel De Waal 2, standout was Martias Calvi.
The 2nd team with the bare 11 lost away to Madhatters Black 2-0 (1-0) in this 3rd Division clash at William Fraser Park. The visitors actually played better football but a defensive approach backfired and they rarely threatened ‘hatters GK Dave Armistead.
KERIKERI. Despite leading 2-0 relatively early in proceedings the Kerikeri Bay Builders were undone by a late equaliser in the 87th minute and forced to share the points against Tikipunga in this Northland Premier Division clash at Harmony Lane on Saturday. Keri’s Mark Roberts felt the homeside let the result slip away against a tough Tiki side who never stopped trying and scored late in the first spell shortly after Keri squandered an opportunity from the spot.
Keri Reserves lost 2-1 to Tikipunga Pet Essentials in the 1st Div clash at Waipapa, the visitors converting a late and controversial penalty for the win while Keri’s POTD was Luke Smith. No result advised from Keri Siteworx vs Tikipunga Bake Cafe.
In Northland Women’s Premier Division on Sunday, Kerikeri Fairview lost 3-0 (1-0) away to Central Brown where standout was midfielder Ellie Nagel; while the Kerikeri High School side hosted Bream Bay and won 6-nil (HT 2-0) thanks to a four goal bag for POTD Tara Jackson and a brace for Sarah Trail. KAIKOHE. Kaikohe Phoenix beat Tikipunga Orange 3-2 (HT 2-1) in the NM1 with Lee Warin named man of the match for scoring two, the other by Jason Mera, while the Kaikohe Scorpions second team lost 2-3 (HT 1-0) to Paihia in the Far North derby of round 3 of the NM3 at Lindvart Park. Kaikohe goals from a Jim Bower penalty and young gun Tupari Tunarnia also named POTD.
KAEO. The champions barely broke a sweat in this Northland Div 2 clash 5-1 (HT 2-0) at a picturesque Whangaroa College setting. Central weren’t helped when their keeper came out for a one on one and handled the ball outside the area resulting in a red card from referee Dave Reynolds in the process. Englishman Joe Bootland and Zimbabwe’s Ryan Mugumira both scored two goals each, with Ben Claire getting the other and Central rewarded for their perseverance with one of their youngsters up front scoring in the match’s dying minutes.
KAWAKAWA. Bay Cosmos men went down 4-1 (HT 4-1) to Onerahi at Onerahi Airport with standout being Albert Clendon, the Cosmos goalscorer; while the Bay Cosmos women beat Madhatters 2-nil (HT 1-0) at Bay of Islands College with goals either side of the break from Jazmine Beazley then Sharna May, and centre-mid Peyton Bristowe named POTD. Coach Jeff May was unusually impressed.
“Probably the best game I have seen this season as a team.”