Newly-promoted Takapuna AFC and Waiheke Island will celebrate their promotions to the Northern League in front of their own fans when the 2022 competition gets underway in late March.
Takapuna, back in the top tier after winning promotion last year from Lotto NRFL first division, will host one of the pre-season title favourites, Eastern Suburbs, on the weekend of March 26/27.
Waiheke United will play a Manukau United squad that will be the first of 11 teams to travel by ferry to play the Hauraki Gulf islanders.
These are among the opening weekend fixtures, released by NZ Football, for the country’s Northern, Central and Southern Leagues.
Main photo: Takapuna fans will welcome their team’s first appearance in the Northern League. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Opening weekend
Fixtures for March 26/27 are:
Auckland City (1) v Melville United (10)
Hamilton Wanderers (7) v Western Springs (5)
Auckland United (2) v Birkenhead United (4)
Takapuna (promoted) v Eastern Suburbs (3)
Waiheke Island (promoted) v Manukau United (8)
North Shore United (9) v Bay Olympic (6)
Full draw
Download the draw as a PDF here >>>>
Northern League round-up
Click here for Friends of Football’s guide to coaching changes in the Northern League >>>>
Lotto NRFL news
