Late goals proved decisive in the latest round of Lotto NRFL first division games, with the results of three games being decided as spectators waited for the final whistle.
Manurewa grabbed a draw in added time; Onehunga Mangere rescued a point in referee’s time and Metro’s Jaydyn Englefield conjured a winner with only a minute left.
Here’s our round-up of latest games:
Second-half power keeps Rangers clear at the top
League leaders West Coast Rangers turned on the power in the second half to overpower Ellerslie 4-0 at Fred Taylor Park.
The teams were locked 0-0 at the break but Rangers took control in the second spell.
Kofi Dwamena scored twice in a seven-minute spell after the break, earning a rest a few minutes later when coach Chad Coombes rotated his line-up.
Allan Pearce continued the work, scoring a double with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 66th minute and then adding another from the penalty spot in the 70th minute.
Ellerslie’s Ryan Morrow earned a red card in the 88th minute for showing displeasure at being ruled offside.
The win keeps Rangers five points clear at the top of the table, and still with the division’s meanest defence (only seven goals conceded in 14 games).
Rewa veteran grabs late equaliser to earn valuable point
Veteran Paul Day (35) earned Manurewa a valuable point when he scored an equaliser in added time to deprive Tauranga City of a win at Links Avenue.
Third-placed Tauranga were heading for the win when Day, an off-season signing from Manukau United, scored four minutes into referee’s time for the game to end 1-1.
The sides had played out a scoreless first half before teenager Mirko Brinkmann opened the scoring for Tauranga in the 52nd minute.
Home-side coach Barry Gardiner worked his bench, making four changes in an effort to manage the last half hour of the game.
It almost worked but Day’s goal, which keeps Manurewa in second spot, could prove vital when the promotion places are decided at season’s end.
Englefield scores winner for Metro with a minute to go
Jaydyn Englefield, the division’s leading goalscorer, earned a win for Metro with his 89th minute goal at Northern Rovers’ McFetridge Park.
The game seemed destined for a goalless draw when Englefield scored his 11th goal of the season, ensuring a 1-0 win for the visitors.
Englefield had an excellent chance to open the scoring in the first half when he was dragged down in the penalty area.
But Rovers’ goalkeeper Regan Diver saved the resulting penalty to keep his side in the game.
The home side were reduced to 10 men in the 78th minute when Paul Rhodes was sent off for a second yellow card, given for a late challenge.
MAP move into top half of table with 2-0 win against Waitemata
Mount Albert Ponsonby have moved into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win against bottom side Waitemata at Anderson Park.
Captain Lewis Black gave MAP the lead from the penalty spot in the 10th minute.
That was the only scoring of the first half.
Jared Colligan increased the lead to 2-0 after 71 minutes and MAP were able to close the gate on Waitemata to make sure there was no late comeback.
Earlier in the season, MAP were guilty of gifting late goals to their opponents. Not now.
Main photo: MAP captain Lewis Black … scored from the penalty spot. File photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Onehunga Mangere rescue point in added time
Onehunga Mangere United salvaged a 1-1 draw against East Coast Bays at Mangere Domain, thanks to an equaliser three minutes into added time from substitute Andrew Campbell.
The game’s opening 45 minutes were scoreless but Bays took the lead through Liam Andersen in added time for the half.
Home coach Paul Marshall made tactical changes for the last half hour, bringing on subs in search of an equaliser.
Campbell, who came on in the 80th minute, delivered.
Penalty double earns Fencibles win at Albany
Fencibles United captain Sione Fa’apoi scored twice from the penalty spot to get his team a 2-1 win against Albany United at Rosedale Park.
He put his side ahead midway through the first half, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Albany levelled through captain Jack Beguely in the 65th minute, his seventh goal of the season.
But the last five minutes of the match saw plenty of incidents.
Referee Riley Greenbury awarded Fencibles a second penalty in the 86th minute which Fa’apoi converted, giving his side the lead.
Frustrated Albany players and coach Clive Campbell vented their displeasure with substitute Sam Jasper and his coach both getting yellow cards.
Jasper then picked up a second yellow on full-time and was given his marching orders.
Teammate Jason Hicks then picked up a red after the final whistle following comments made to officials.
Results
Games played Saturday July 2, 2022
West Coast Rangers 4 (Kofi Dwamena 50′, 57′, Allan Pearce 66′, 70′)
Ellerslie 0
Northern Rovers 0
Metro 1 (Jaydyn Englefield 89′)
Tauranga City 1 (Mirko Brinkmann 52′)
Manurewa 1 (Paul Day 90+4′)
Mount Albert Ponsonby 2 (Lewis Black 10′ pen, Jared Colligan 71′)
Waitemata 0
Onehunga Mangere United 1 (Andrew Campbell 90+3′)
East Coast Bays 1 (Liam Anderson 45+1′)
Sunday
Game played Sunday July 3, 2022
Albany United 1 (Jack Beguely 65′)
Fencibles United 2 (Sione Fa’apoi 24′ pen, 86′ pen)
Standings
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