Ngaruawahia take over lead as nearest rivals drop points in second division

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The lead has changed again in the Lotto NRFL second division as Ngaruawahia United went back to the top with a 4-2 comeback win against Northland.

Nearest rivals Hibiscus Coast and Bucklands Beach both dropped valuable points with draws while West Auckland stay in the title chase after beating local rivals Oratia United.

Here’s our round-up of latest games:

Ngaruawahia recover from two-goal deficit to win

Ngaruawahia United were forced to fight back from a 0-2 deficit to overcome Northland at Centennial Park.

The Northlanders struck twice through leading scorer Finn Diamond whose goals in the 17th and 20th minutes took him to nine for the season.

Veteran midfielder Federico Marquez pulled back a goal for Ngaruawahia after 34 minutes, and five minutes later, striker Mark Withers levelled the score.

The teams went into the break at 2-2.

Marquez put the Green Machine ahead for the first time in the game when he scored seven minutes into the second spell.

With two minutes to go, substitute Jack Connor sealed the deal with a goal from the penalty spot.

Two points lost for Coast as substitutes set up draw

Hibiscus Coast surrendered the lead in the division, dropping two points in a 2-2 draw at Franklin United’s Bledisloe Park.

Benjamin Clark gave Franklin the lead after 33 minutes before striker Adam Dickinson equalised as the first half went into added time.

The second half belonged to key substitutions.

First, Chris Abbott, brought on for scorer Clark on the hour, put Franklin ahead with a goal in the 73rd minute.

Coast substitute Conor Felstead responded with a goal with 10 minutes to go.

The draw helps Franklin consolidate their mid-table position; the loss of two points cost Coast their perch at the top of the table.

10-men Beachlands Maraetai snatch point in added time

Beachlands Maraetai pulled off an unlikely 2-2 draw after playing more than their game against Bucklands Beach with only 10 men.

Playing at Te Puru Park, Bucklands Beach took the lead through Sander Waterland in the 34th minute against the division’s second-to-bottom side.

But just before half-time, the home side’s chances soared and sank within a minute.

Liam Brown levelled the score; Isaac Kumar was sent off for picking up his second yellow card.

So the teams turned around at 1-1, and with Bucklands Beach seemingly set for a win.

Ten minutes into the second half, Lyle Jones put Bucklands back in front.

But Beachlands Maraetai didn’t give up and six minutes into added time, found an equaliser through Alexander Thurbon.

It was a point earned but, more importantly, might provide some confidence for future fixtures.

Skipper snares hat-trick to inspire Rovers win in Waikato derby

A hat-trick from captain Bailey Webster inspired a 4-3 win by Claudelands Rovers in their Waikato derby with Cambridge.

Webster put the visitors ahead after five minutes at John Kerkhof Park.

Cambridge responded with an equaliser from Noah Skipps in the 11th minute.

Cambridge’s top scorer Josh Clarkin put the Reds ahead on the half-hour, with his 10th of the season.

However Dominick Edwards tied up the scores in the 42nd minute to send the teams into the dressing rooms locked at 2-2.

Webster took the initiative soon after the break, scoring in the 51st minute.

Clarkin levelled in the 74th minute to set up a storming finish.

Webster completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute, putting Rovers ahead 4-3.

Cambridge’s cause was not helped by a straight red for Hamish Watt in the 87th minute.

Main photo: Bailey Webster … hat-trick for Rovers. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

West Auckland beat local rivals with two-goal burst

Two goals in as many minutes gave West Auckland a 2-0 win against local derby rivals Oratia United.

For almost an hour, the two sides were deadlocked at Parrs Park, unable to find a way through.

But West Auckland got the breakthrough in the 58th minute when referee Samuel Clement awarded a penalty.

Frazier Johnston scored from the spot.

Two minutes later, Anthony Lockton doubled the visitors’ lead, and that’s how the score stayed.

The win keeps West Auckland in the title chase while Oratia United remain at the foot of the table.

Results

Games played Saturday July 16, 2022

Oratia United 0
West Auckland 2 (Frazier Johnston 58′, Anthony Lockton 60′)

Ngaruawahia United 4 (Federico Marquez 34′, 52′, Mark Withers 39′, Jack Connor 88′)
Northland 2 (Finn Diamond 17′, 20′)

Franklin United 2 (Benjamin Clark 33′, Christopher Abbott 73′)
Hibiscus Coast 2 (Adam Dickinson 45+1′, Conor Felstead 80′)

Cambridge 3 (Noah Skipps 11′, Josh Clarkin 30′, 74′)
Claudelands Rovers 4 (Bailey Webster 5′, 51′, 82′, Dominick Edwards 42′)

Beachlands Maraetai 2 (Liam Brown 42′, Alexander Thurbon 90’+6′)
Bucklands Beach 2 (Sander Waterland 34′, Lyle Jones 55′)

Standings

Thanks

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