The Matavera-Ngatangiia premier men came very close to toppling Nikao Sokattak on Friday during their third encounter for the season.
The Maroons put on a great performance against second placed Nikao and nearly came away with a surprise result. Matavera began on the offensive and Daryl Areai opened the score books early for Matavera scoring within 10 minutes when he received a long throw in from a teammate in the box before slotting it in.
A long half of relentless attacks from both teams livened the atmosphere and created a tense environment but the rest of the half would see no more goals scored.
The second half would be long and tense for everyone at the field as Matavera were gunning for results while Nikao were targeting their comeback.
Attack after attack would go wide or be saved by the goalkeeper keeping the two teams on edge until a penalty in the box gave Nikao the chance to equalize. Stepping up to the penalty spot, Tahiri Elikana scored, leveling the scores to 1-1.
Matavera didn’t give up however and kept fighting till the end. They took a few more promising shots at goal but they were unable to find the net. By this time, they were beginning to tire and Nikao capitalized on their fatigue and scored again coming away with a 2-1 win.
The other feature match over the weekend was the Tupapa Maraerenga v Puaikura match up at Victoria park.
A lightning start by Tupapa caught Puaikura off guard causing them to cough up a free kick. Tupapa’s Grover Harmon scored off the freekick delivered by Anthony Samuela taking Tupapa up 1-nil.
The half continued with a few opportunities coming about at both ends of the field, but nothing came of it. It wasn’t until late the half that Puaikura made their mark when Campbell Best scored for his side from a penalty in the box.
The match resumed after the half time but scores remained level and the game ended a 1-all draw.
The Tupapa and Puaikura women’s match wasn’t as even in terms of scores and Tupapa came away the victors, when they scored two goals to Puaikura’s one. Tupapa’s goals were scored by Elizabeth Harmon (2) while Puaikura lone goal was scored by Ngamata Moekaa.
Today the U7, U9, U11 mixed teams and U17 men’s teams will kick off their round thirteen encounters after weather put a hold on their matches on Wednesday. The U7, U9 and U11 mixed teams will kick off their encounters at 4:15pm while the U17 Men begin their battle at 4:45pm.
RESULTS FROM ROUND 13:
Titikaveka FC – Avatiu FC
Premier Men 2-2
Senior Women 5-0
U14 Boys 0-1
U14 Girls 0-3
Matavera-Ngatangiia FC – Nikao Sokattak FC
Premier Men 1-2
Senior Women 0-2
U14 Boys 1-3
U14 Girls 2-0
Tupapa Maraerenga FC – Puaikura FC
Premier Men 1-1
Senior women 2-1
U14 Boys 1-0
U-14 Girls 0-1
