Kaitaia claim second 4-3 win in a row
Central Brown 3 Kaitaia United 4: Kaitaia continuing their winning streak in round 4 of the Northland Women’s Premier Division with this high scoring affair at Otaika on Sunday.
Remarkably, it was the second time in two weeks that Kaitaia won a match by a 4-3 margin (and after scores in both games were tied 3-all). Again it was Kalani Walters Hewson who broke the deadlock by scoring the match-winner — and her second goal of the day against a Central who were a formidable presence in the NWP last season — with 20 minutes remaining. At that point Kaitaia coach Glen Florian put all his troops behind the ball to weather the Central offensive. Other goals came from a Jayde Florian cracker, and Tori Walters-Price.
“Great club to play against,” said Florian of Central and noting both sides went tit-fortat throughout and there were plenty of shots on goal, “It could have been 10-all.” Standouts for the visitors were Lee Anne Florian and Rebecca Cosner in right midfield and defence respectively.
Kamo 4 Bay Cosmos 2 (HT 2-1): Bay Cosmos coming back to draw 2-all with Jazmine Beazley claiming her brace only for the champions to lock it down in the last five minutes with a free kick and a penalty. Coach Jeff May said his girls were happy enough, “Knew they had played a game, put it that way.” POTD was goalie Jayde Rogers.
Madhatters 0 Kerikeri High 2 (HT 0-1): Keri High notching up a strong away win thanks to a brace from Tara Jackson and a POTD performance from centre-mid Lucia Avery. Coach Russell McCabe said it was a good day out for his side. He also applauded the new NFF policy which allows teams to play with five subs, “Means we are able to develop more players and roll them around.”
Kerikeri Fairview 0 Onerahi 1 (HT 0-1): Keri coach Eric Hazelden gave his goalkeeper Sarah Hazelden the POTD award, and said this upon being asked if his side was put under some pressure by the competition’s pacesetters: “They did at times. They are a well drilled team, played very well.” Of his team’s effort: “All played well across the park, [don’t forget we are a] new team still gelling together.” ■ STANDINGS: Onerahi 10 points, Keri High 9, Kamo 9, Bay Cosmos 7, Madhatters 6, Kaitaia 6, Keri Fairview 3, Central Brown 3, Bream Bay 1, Tikipunga 1.
Men’s games
No men’s football took place on Saturday after all Whangarei grounds were closed due to the heavy rain. Thus, all games from round 4 of the the Northland Premier Division, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions remain to be completed. Elsewhere, and in Chatham Cup football last Wednesday, Kerikeri Bay Builders went down 1-0 at home to Greenhithe in the preliminary round of the 91st running of New Zealand’s oldest sporting competition, while Kaeo Inter lost away by the same score to Lynn Avon United. ■ MEN’S STANDINGS. Premier Division: Kerikeri Bay Builders 7, Onerahi Cowleys Hire 7, Kamo JR Works 3, Bream Bay 3, Tikipunga 2, FC Whangarei 0.
1st Division: Kaikohe 9, Kaitaia United 7, Mangawhai 7, Tikipunga Pet Essentials 6, Kerikeri Reserves 3, Madhatters Blue 3, FC Whangarei Reserves 1, Kamo JR Works 1, Onerahi Morgan Engineering 0, Northern Wairoa 0, Tikipunga Orange 0.
2nd Division: Kamo Whangarei Aluminium 9, Kaeo-Inter 9, Kerikeri Siteworx 9, Onerahi New World 6, Madhatters Green 6, Ngunguru 3, Tikipunga Bake Cafe 3, Bay Cosmos 0, Central Brown 0, Bream Bay 0
3rd Division: Madhatters Black 9, FC Whangarei 7, Kaitaia 6, Paihia 6, Central Brown 4, Tikipunga Kerala Tuskers 3, Kaikohe AFC Scorpions 0, Tikipunga Ryco 24-7 0.