The premier men’s match of the week between Matavera-Ngatangiia and Puaikura certainly was a thriller to watch last Saturday when the two sides came out with a draw.
Matavera-Ngatangiia opened the scores early when Marcus Gibbens headed a cross home the 3’ minute of the match. As the match panned out tensions grew and evented in a tussle in midfield resulting in a Puaikura player being sent off. With the side down to 10 men before the break the difficulty of the match intensified for them.
Realizing they were down to ten men, Puaikura changed up their strategy and shuffled players around to compensate for the disadvantage. The strategy looked to be benefiting them slightly in the second half as the side looked to be attacking quite often and hunting an equalizer. Both sides were eager to score the second goal of the match to either win the game or level the scores however a miscommunication between the Matavera goal Keeper Siana Short and defender Nick Oaariki resulted in an own goal leveling the scores with about 15 minutes left in the match.
With minutes remaining some changes were made for both sides in hopes of trying to edge ahead of one another. A few more nail-biting goal scoring opportunities came about for both sides getting the crowd on the feet for the remaining minutes of the game but none found the net by the time the final whistle blew.
The match ended in a well fought out draw by both sides however that leaves the two teams in tough positions on the points table.
The top of the table decider match between Tupapa Maraerenga and Titikaveka on Friday afternoon was another thriller of a game which evented in Tupapa redeeming themselves from their first-round loss with Titikaveka. Titikaveka was needing a win to remain atop the points table while Tupapa were hunting a win to overtake Titikaveka and take the lead for the first time this season.
The two sides looked to be lacking some key players in their starting line-up making the match more interesting than initially presumed. Both teams played beautiful football by creating some fantastic chances and some skillful plays however Tupapa slotted their goals in while Titikaveka found themselves with the short end of the stick and were unable to find the back of the net.
Tupapa Maraerenga won the match three goals to nil. Their goals were scored by Francis Terepo, Geofferey Strickland and Grover Harmon.
The Matavera-Ngatangiia senior women had a close encounter with Puaikura achieving much better results compared to their opening game with the team. Matavera put up a good defense and had a few opportunities themselves managing to keep the scores to 2-0 compared to 10-0 the first time around. This is a result the team can be very proud of considering their previous results. Puaikura’s two goals were scored by Ngamata Moekaa and Merran Munro.
In the other men’s game on Saturday Nikao Sokattak demolished a depleted Avatiu side 13-2. The matches between the Nikao and Avatiu senior women and the Tupapa and Titikaveka senior women ended in 1-all draws.
Today, Monday 30thSeptember, the round 4 catch up matches for the U7, U9, U11 mixed teams and the U17 men’s will be played at the CIFA complex in Matavera.
FULL RESULTS FROM ROUND 5:
Matavera-Ngatangiia – Puaikura FC
Premier Men 1-1
Senior Women 0-2
U-17 Men 1-4
U14 Boys 0-10
U14 Girls 0-4
U11 Mixed 0-1
U9 Mixed 1-1
U7 Mixed 1-2
Nikao Sokattak FC – Avatiu FC
Premier Men 13-2
Senior women 1-1
U-17 Men’s 7-1
U14 Boys 1-3
U-14 Girls 2-1
U11 Mixed 0-3
U9 Mixed 1-3
U7 Mixed 3-2
Tupapa Maraerenga – Titikaveka FC
Premier Men 3-0
Senior Women 1-1
U14 Boys 5-1
U14 Girls 4-0
U11 Mixed 0-1
U9 Mixed 4-0
U7 Mixed 4-1
FIXTURES
Monday 23rdSeptember, 2019 at the Avatiu Field
4.00pm Under 14 Girls Avatiu FC vs Puaikura FC
Ref: Maara Kaukura Assist: Ngametua Taringa, Teretia Teinaki
5.00pm Premier Men Avatiu FC vs Puaikura FC
Ref: Maara Kaukura Assist:Ngametua Taringa, Teretia Teinaki
Tuesday 24thSeptember, 2019 at the Avatiu Field
4.00pm Under 14 BoysAvatiu FC vs Puaikura FC
Ref: Ua Savage Assist:Angelina Mitchell, Kura Smith
5.00pm Senior Women Avatiu FC vs Puaikura FC
Ref: Lai Gukisuva Assist:Kura Smith, Angelina Mitchell
