Waterside Karori have claimed the O’Brien Shield after beating long-time holders Miramar Rangers 4-3 in the latest round of Central League fixtures.
Three own goals featured in the game that saw Rangers finally lose the shield they had successfully defended in 32 challenges since winning it from Lower Hutt City in June 2019.
The Shield is similar to rugby’s Ranfurly Shield as the holder faces challenges when playing home fixtures.
Waterside Karori challenged for the O’Brien Shield in Saturday’s Round 7 fixture at David Farrington Park, and by midway through the first half, were trailing 0-2 after a second-minute goal from Rangers’ Scott Midgley, and an own goal.
But the Wharfies ralled with a goal from Jorge Akers against his former club in the 25th minute.
An own goal by Midgley sent the teams into the interval locked 2-2.
The challengers went ahead through new season signing Finn Diamond, only for Sam Mason-Smith to tie things up 3-3 two minutes later.
The winner, in the 70th minute, was another own goal, this time credited to Rangers’ defender Luke Searle.
Rangers were reduced to 10 men when Liam Wood was sent off for back-to-back yellow cards in added time.
The Shield now awaits its first defence by the Wharfies.
Waterside Karori’s next home game in the Central League is against newly-promoted Whanganui Athletic on Saturday May 27.
READ MORE: Miramar Rangers’ match programme for Waterside Karori fixture >>>>
About the O’Brien Shield
The O’Brien Sheild was presented to Capital Football in 1991 by Seatoun, to honour long-serving player and administrator Bob O’Brien, who had been involved in the club since the 1940s.
O’Brien, who was Seatoun’s club secretary for more than three decades, also played in the club’s 1957 and 1957 Chatham Cup wins.
Between 1992 and 2007, the shield was played for 197 times with Wainuiomata (1994-95), Miramar Rangers (2004-05) and Western Suburbs (2006-07) sharing the record for the longest tenure, with 13 successful defences each.
Interest in the shield wilted for a while, but it was relaunched in 2010, and has been a feature of Central League fixtures since.
Results
Games played on Saturday May 7, 2023
Miramar Rangers 3 (Scott Midgley 2′, own goal 23′, Sam Mason -Smith 67′)
Waterside Karori 4 (Jorge Akers 25′, own goal 29′, Finn Diamond 65′, own goal 70′)
Stop Out 3 (James Sutcliffe 15′ pen, Jerram Tuck 78′, 82′)
Wellington Olympic 2 (Kailan Gould 35′ pen, Jack-Henry Sinclair 49′)
North Wellington 0
Petone 5 (Matthew Brazier 53′, 64′, 73′ pen, Jack O’Connor 76′, Jared Eglinton 87′)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Sunday May 7, 2023
Napier City Rovers v Wellington Phoenix Reserves
Bluewater Stadium, Napier, 2pm
Western Suburbs v Whanganui Athletic
Endeavour Park, Whitby, 2pm
READ MORE: Weekend results likely to play big part in race for Central League’s top four >>>>
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